Tuesday, May 5, 2009

learning in moderation

Things I am excited to return to in America: Classes that are about more than just dictation. Straight from my professors mouth, "Exams are an opportunity for you to memorize the course." Seriously? Not a single original thought in 9 months in the French university system! I cannot wait to get back to an education where thinking for yourself is encouraged, even if it means stepping outside of an outline in three parts. I look forward to interesting debates with my peers and with my professors where you can disagree and not necessarily be wrong. I've said it many times before, but it's worth saying again - I will never take my education for granted after this experience.

Things I will miss about Lyon: Guys who know how to dress. Case in point - the guy sitting next to me in the library today. It's not about being flashy or trendy, but being classic. A nice pair of jeans, coupled with a gray pullover sweater and smart glasses, and you are made. While I do miss going outside in my sweats every once in awhile, it's a small price to pay for a more style-conscious male population. And I don't want to make it sound like every French man knows clothes (there are certainly those who dress in ways too horrible to describe), the proportion of well-dressed, well-coiffed men is certainly higher in France than it will ever be back home.

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