The chapter opens with a flashback to the beginning of the previous chapter. It is one year later, and we are introduced to the young narrator, who is now in his early twenties. He has just returned from a trip to Europe, where he met a number of other young people. He is very excited to be back in his home country, and he is eager to share his experiences with his friends. The narrator asks the other students if they would like to meet him in person, and they all agree that they would.