In September 1967, MendlessohnMendleson went down to the [[University of Essex]] to read English Literature and American History.<ref name="Background" /> In May 1968, she went to Paris, to join in the [[May 1968 in France|student political rising]]; what she saw had a great effect on her political thinking.<ref name="May 1968">Carr, "The Angry Brigade", p. 30.</ref> In 1969 she dropped out of her university course rather than continue into her final year, but remained living in [[Wivenhoe]] around the university for several months. In early 1970 she was living in York Way in the [[Kings Cross, London|King's Cross]] area of London, and was a close friend of a group including some university friends who were living a semi-communal life in [[Stamford Hill]]; among them was Hilary Creek.<ref name="London 1970">Carr, "The Angry Brigade", p. 48.</ref> MendlessohnMendleson and Creek were supporting a group which had [[Squatting|squatted]] empty flats in [[Arbour Square]] in Stepney.<ref name="Squatters">Carr, "The Angry Brigade", p. 50.</ref> She became a friend of Jim Greenfield after meeting him on leaving a political meeting.<ref name="London 1970" />
