Another bruising day at EM Lyon

As it turned out, after the morning activities with our new groups, we had to put on a skit explaining (humorously or not) what we had learned over the course of our two days together. Our skit was rather serious, a Power Point presentation to the T; others opted for a more humorous approach with make-up, costumes and parodies of some of the schools' teachers and administrators.

That evening (Tuesday) we had dinner scheduled in Croix Rousse, an area just north of where I live, an area up on a hill full of small boutiques and restaurants. The food wasn't terribly exceptional, but the first course of saucisson chaud (hot Lyonnais sausage stuffed with pistachios) served on a bed of lentils was just heavenly. I'm really sold on lentils and bought some the other day to try to cook them. I'll try to upload a picture sometime.

The problem was, we started late, about 8 P.M. and by the time we finished, three courses and cheeses and bottles of wine later, it was about 11:30 P.M. and everyone was just totally exhausted.

---

Today (Wednesday) we had two main goals: integrating our computers into the EM Lyon network and getting an overview of the program from the program director.

Our computers are connected to the WiFi network and allow us to work in the classrooms and anywhere on the campuses. There are also mailboxes and online storage which will allow us to store our work on virtual hard drives in case we are working on a case with other people in our work group. To imagine. Think of it as a bulletin board out in space somewhere where people are free to post their messages, and also, in this case, files.

We also got an overview of the program, which apparently will be aiming to build "entrepreneurial leaders." The two words seem almost antithetical but I'm sure that's because I don't quite understand what they're after. But from the explanation given by the director, I felt reassured that I will be working really hard but should come out one year from now with more leadership ability and business sense ... but who knows where that will take me? Stay tuned.

At the end we also had some information about formalities, such as the paperwork we'll need to have ready for the Prefecture when we apply for our student visas. I also found out some very important information about the CMU, or medical insurance here in France. Although I have overseas medical insurance, I'm going to try to get a medical insurance card here in France too, if possible, if only for the fact that it will make things easier when I go to the doctor. They will know how to deal with these social insurance cards; I'm less sure that they'll know what to make of my overseas insurance ...!

Tomorrow: 8:30 A.M. Statistics. And the race begins!