2. The treatment of a British student has caused a major political and media storm in Britain. The student, Laura Spence, won a scholarship to Harvard but was rejected by Oxford University. The whole of Britain has been drawn into debate, with people urging universities to “open their doors to people from all parts of society.”

On the surface, the fuss is about discrimination (歧视) in British society. The British media has created a fierce controversy over Oxford’s admission procedures. International press comments have been more cynical, claiming that the Laura Spence story is indicative (预示的) of the typical British problem of class and arrogance — a reminder that a backward-looking Britain is still alive and well.

I think all of these comments, however valid, miss the larger picture. Like so many other parts of our lives these days, education has become a global enterprise. The brain drain is a universal phenomenon, and countries that don’t face up to the new reality will be losing some of their most precious resources. There is a growing trend of British students’ taking degrees in American universities. This year the number will break the psychological barrier of 1,000 students for the first time.

Today’s students have a very different view on education from their parents’. Because of television, the Internet and their own travels, these students see the world as a much smaller place than their parents once did. They are more confident in accepting the challenge of moving from one country to another, from one culture to another. In the context of student globe-trotters (环球旅行者), as world-class British universities like Oxford suddenly find themselves fighting over British students with the Harvards of the world, they face major challenges. It is not simply that Harvard is a wealthier institution. Harvard also offers a different educational experience, stressing breadth of study and real-world applications of knowledge.

1). According to the author what does Laura Spence’s case really signify?

A. Discrimination in British society.

B. The universal phenomenon of brain drain.

C. Inappropriate admission procedures of Oxford.

D. Typical British problem of class and arrogance.