As I sit in the airport (thanks Chris for the ride!), I feel exceptionally uncomfortable with what I have signed onto. I have concerns I have forgotten important items, did not bring the right clothes and above all else, I have this inherent belief that I will have everything stolen from me at one point or another, regardless of my attention to personal security. The academic aspect should be fairly routine, even though I will know few people when I arrive in Frankfurt. Still that Business School bite looms large over my shoulder. Hopefully there is some fun to be had.
Earlier today (much earlier today), President Obama came to address the class of 2010 and the University of Michigan in a joyful display of the importance of public education. While the speech was great- funny, relevant and potent- I felt it left something to be desired. I expected a tax incentive program or policy announcement that would thoroughly encourage personal accountability for education and training. Regardless, it was a great spectacle for the University and should help for our recruitment, rankings and place in American public Universities.
May 1st marks Founder’s day for my fraternity: Phi Gamma Delta (better known as FIJI). Because of my travel plans, I did not get to celebrate properly, but it was nice to see many new graduate brothers in their cap and gown on the way to the Big House. Happy birthday FIJI.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Jeff... Im sure I would WORRY that Id lose my documents and money, but it would not occur to me to think they would be stolen.
ReplyDeleteIm sad (and confused) to hear you thinking of theft as a large possibility. People are GOOD, the world over. Of course, you don't leave your stuff laying around unattended... but that would more like loss than theft if you did that.
----As far as Business school. Its a whole lot of common sence, in course format. You may not be familiar with the format and terminology, but, you will still find it plenty familiar.
-Cindy
Perhaps you'd have wanted to hear the president say something inspiring along the lines of:
ReplyDelete"Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation."
It wasn't so much of me being fearful of bad people. I was just given a ton of different perspectives before heading off that converged on the idea that everyone was going to take everything of mine. Absolutely every conversation I had regarding Europe offered a different priority or value on aspects of the continent, but at some point it was always stressed that people were coming after me. For the record I have been fine thus far.
ReplyDelete