by Kaitlyn McKay
Bonjour de France! We are currently in Aix-en-Provence, where we will be spending the next two weeks.
We started our week on Monday by touring the IAU campus, which is so beautiful and located right in the
center of the city. We had an orientation where we discussed wellness and safety, which helped me
become more familiar with how their school operates and what is expected of international students. They also gave recommendations for stores, coffee shops, restaurants, and other places around Aix that will help us feel more comfortable during our stay. We learned more about the local Markets as well, including Place Richelme, which is the daily market, and Place des Precheurs, which occurs Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. We also discussed transportation, cultural awareness, and social customs to help us better understand the city of Aix.
After orientation, we toured the city with one of the student guides named Eleonore. She was very
interested in the art and the history of France, and she showed us awesome things such as where the old
city ended, some of her favorite study spots like the Pavillon De Vendome, and many buildings where we
may have classes. It was very exciting to gain a different feel for the city and see where students spend
their time. After the tour, we had a lunch break where a few classmates and I stopped at Cafe Med, where
I had a chicken Caesar salad made by the amazing Chef Jean.
Later that day, we had another walking tour, this time around all of Aix-en-Provence to learn more about
the city’s history and important landmarks. One thing that stood out to me was the Palais de Justice, a
large courthouse that represents the French legal system.
That evening, a group of 17 of us walked to get dinner at Casa Capri, an Italian restaurant. We ended the
night walking around the city together and enjoying our first days in Provence.
Tuesday was a little busier, as we officially began class at 9:30 am. Our class focused on an overview of the United States healthcare system and its delivery. We discussed how the United States is the only wealthy country without universal healthcare. We also looked at different healthcare models, insurance structures, government health programs like Medicare and Medicaid, and contributors to healthcare costs in the U.S.
We then had lunch!
During our lunch break, Morgan, Abbi, London, and I all explored the Place de Precheurs market since it was open that day and grabbed lunch at Bagelstein before heading back to class for our guest speakers. Emmanuelle Hartmann spoke to us about women’s health in France, while Nitin Beeharry and Benjamin Gerard discussed the French healthcare system as a whole. We learned about France’s universal healthcare system and its emphasis on accessibility, equity, and preventative care. The speakers also discussed women’s healthcare rights in France, which included reproductive healthcare and maternity benefits. One of the most interesting parts of the discussion was seeing how the French and the United States healthcare systems compare to one another.
It has only been the first couple days of class, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of this program has in store. Au revoir!It has only been the first couple days of class, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of this program has in store. Au revoir!
