First Days in EM Lyon

Although I've been here for several days now, it's been hectic but more significantly I've had to overcome severe jet lag from days of little sleep and crossing so may time zones in less than a month. My journeys have taken me from France, back to the US, then soon over to Japan, and then through San Francisco, and finally back to France ... all in the span of one month, and ... only now am I able to keep somewhat regular hours and not wake up at 3 or 4 in the morning, NOT ready to start the day.

On Monday, I started a week of French classes at EM Lyon, and was put into a group of advanced students (four to be exact). I'm really glad that I did come early to Lyon to learn the language and to familiarize myself with how things in France are done. In comparison, many of the students in the beginner class are struggling with jet lag, a new language, lack of a support system, and a general confusion about how things run here in France. Watching them reminds me of my first month here, struggling to understand the bureaucracy and to make myself understood. What a relief to have some of both under my belt.

My French classes aren't French classes in the usual sense of the word. As the speaking level of the students in the class is pretty high, the class has become a loosely structured discussion class. That's perfectly fine, because for three hours we talk back and forth in French, and it's a continuation of the immersion that I craved when I first came here in May.

So who and how are the students so far? I can't really say for sure, but already I've formed some impressions, or opinions of some of the members. In the moments that I've managed to steal here and there, I've found something about the backgrounds of the two other Americans and two other Chinese who are here for the language lessons. Then so far there are also two Russians, one Chilean, one Indian from India and one from the U.K. An unusual mix so far (next week the French members and the others who opted not to take the French courses will join the orientation), but I can already see who might be a leader within our group (for the group work) and who might be a facilitator (equally important). I mark myself as probably doing a little bit of both, leading at times but also trying to get all members of the group engaged and contributing. Looking forward to working with these people.

The schedule for the next two weeks is quite busy -- three days of orientation, followed by five days of statistics and two days of immigration and administrative formalities.

The following week (mid-September) is a seminar on entrepreneurship and will involve group work. I'm not sure what it entails yet.

Sometime in October a "learning trip" (subsidized trip to some European country) has been scheduled and I wonder if I'll be going. I've heard the pace of the first few months is quite hectic, and it's quite possible I might just want to take it easy instead. We shall see.