A question about inductive kick and the current voltage equation
An open switch is an open circuit. It enforces a rule: I = 0.

A closed switch is a short circuit between its terminals. It enforces a rule: V = 0 (between the terminals).

You can see that these situations are fundamentally different. One has a rule about current and the other has a rule about voltage. 

When you close the switch it doesn't do anything to force an instant change in current in the wires that connect it, while when you open the switch it does force an instant change in current.

(Of course nothing in life is ideal, neither the switch nor the inductor, so when you really open a switch in series with an inductor if you want to know the actual behavior, you must consider a more complex model than ideal devices. Include the inter-winding capacitance of the inductor, and the arcing behavior of the switch in your model if you want to find out the actual voltage developed by the switch opening)