一名因积极社区志愿者工作被誉为“地方英雄”（local hero）的中国留学生获评伦敦年度最佳国际留学生的称号。
志愿者名叫徐熙，就读于伦敦大学学院，在来自118个不同国家的1220名学生中脱颖而出。这些候选人被要求为家人写一封信，讲述自己在伦敦的留学生活和收获。这名23岁意大利语和管理研究系本科二年级学生说道：“对我而言，学习只是学生生活中的一部分。投身志愿者工作可以有更多的机会接触不同的工作。”
徐熙曾帮助很多学生在社区内成立志愿者项目和工作，并被其他的志愿者冠以“地方英雄”的称号。英国文化协会比赛评委称赞徐熙的信“写得很出彩”，他在信中描述了他对第三学年和志愿者工作的期待，其中包括在伦敦2012奥运会期间为英国红十字会推广形象。
来自于中国东北部沿海城市青岛的徐熙继续说道：“这次获奖完全在意料之外，我甚至没有想到自己会有资格进入评选，当我听说自己获奖的时候还坐在教室里上课，当时很想跳起来大叫。我从来没想到做志愿者工作还能够被如此肯定。国际学生和英国学生并没有什么不同，每个人都可以让自己的生活更加有意义。每个人都能够聚在一起改变世界。”
以前并没有出过国的徐熙来到英国上大学，不久之后，他将和其他12位地区级的“最佳国际留学生”参加“年度全英最佳留学生”的评选。
以下为徐熙获奖信中的内容：
Dear mom,
Happy Birthday and Happy New Year! I know dad and you are celebrating the second Chinese New Year without me being at home, but this year I got MANY presents for you! Well, sort of, haha. I could have bought some real gifts like these flowers, but I am sure you will be more happy to receive these intangible presents. Here they go!
Present One: I was recently awarded the 'Winner of the Spirit Award for London' for my all round commitment for volunteering and embodying the spirit of volunteering!!! As an international student, I was really surprised that they could award me that title and called me a local hero in Euston. You may wonder why me?
As I told you, I really hope to make 'helping others to live in a better world' as my career goal in the future. When I came to UK, I found the third sector (NGOs) is really a big thing. So I began to get involved into volunteering to help people. As the Volunteering Officer, I helped many students set up their own volunteering projects and encourage UCL students to do something good to the communities. With a few friends, we also raised £500 for Haiti Earthquake last February and £450 for Pakistan Flood this winter. I also set up a project called £10 Challenge to encourage people around me to do something positive with £10. I am also a transition mentor to help first year students and did many one-off volunteerings as well. I guess that's why they awarded me that prize, hah.
Present Two: I am famous now!!! You can see me on BBC now. There was an article about my experience on Olympic volunteering on BBC website. It was a time when I helped Volunteering England promote volunteering in a nationwide campaign. I was also interviewed by Study London (London Higher Ltd) to tell the students all over the world why I would recommend London as a good place for international students. Last summer, as the only student, I even joined the five UCL provosts in a university presentation to Mayor of Camden and other councillors. I've never thought about being famous in London. Amazing, isn't it?
Present Three: I am going to help the London Olympic Organising Committee to select volunteers!!! As I told you, I became a trailblazer volunteer to support the Accreditation management team last summer and now I am also a Selection Event Volunteer to interview and select Games-time volunteers. My Olympic journey doesn't end her- I am advising LOCOG on their HR training programme for 125,000 staff and volunteers as a member of student advisory group. Very, very exciting stuff to do! I feel really lucky to choose London.
Want more presents? Hah, of course! Present Four is the happiness and experience I gained through my two voluntary internships over the summer. I interned as a London 2012 Games-time Project Officer at British Red Cross, when I led three projects that are of significant importance to BRC's work to show a better London in 2012 to the people from different counties. In addition, I became a qualified first aider there and I even helped two people in the street the other day. At the same time, I volunteered as the Mentoring Coordinator at UnLtd, the Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs. It feels great to help social entrepreneurs by introducing them to business mentors and I met many inspiring people then. A very priceless summer for me!
I know you are worrying about my studies now as I am doing so much extra activities. However, my Present Five is my academic achievement! Despite the great difficulty to study Italian from English, I received a first class on my first year- 75 and with the average mark on my management modules over 80! I would say a busy life forced me to focus on study whenever and wherever possible and most importantly, I really enjoy my course!
I know you want to hear more but these are really what I got since I came here a year ago, hah. Despite all the challenges like self-cooking, washing dishes, going shopping, being homesick and working part-time etc, I never regret being here at all. Thank you so much for sending me to London. My life has been more meaningful and exciting since I am in UK. All of these was a big satisfaction for me and I am sure you are feeling the same now :)
After you read this letter, I just hope that you will think something like 'Um…I am kind of proud of my son' and then you would feel very happy. That's all my five presents are about! Yes, I am good and happy here. Don't worry about me!
Happy Birthday, Mom. Happy New Year, Mom and Dad!
Love you and miss you both.
Son
新闻来源:伦敦旗帜晚报（London Evening Standard）