The four weeks I spent, aged 16, with my French exchange student, Aurélie, reinforced my determination.
Now Brussels is trying to blackmail the UK electorate with the threat of economic devastation if it does leave the EU and this is of course manna from heaven for the Remain camp but the threat has rebounded because not a single statistic appears to be available to support the threat.
The salaried worker is subject to a work permit, while an independent worker must apply for a professional ID card.
Ah yes, it says but it will not just be you the Brits who will suffer, the whole world economy will suffer a serious recession if you do leave.
Apart from the microchip, a visible tattoo is still provisionally authorised as a means of identification in the majority of countries.
And lots and lots of leopard skin.