by Lauren Hall
After a week in the south of France, we have really been able to experience most of Aix-en-Provence’s sights and activities. Whether it’s the beautiful markets with fresh produce or a cafe tucked into the corner of a plaza, Aix has proved to be a wonderful city. We have already covered a lot of ground in our understanding of international health systems, beginning with the United States. On our first day in class, we gained a broader understanding of how our system works, including financing, coverage, and medical education. We also learned about the French healthcare system, which strongly prioritizes equitable access for all its citizens. In this lecture, I learned that France provides universal healthcare coverage for all people within its borders, and that additional coverage can be purchased through a mutuelle. We were also able to zoom in specifically to women’s healthcare in the country by listening to our guest speaker, Emmanuelle Hartman. Some of the most shocking differences in the French healthcare system are that women typically get around four months of paid maternity leave, and they are also mandated to get screened for common diseases such as cervical or breast cancer.
To wrap up our first week in France, our group took a day trip to explore some of the other sights the south of France has to offer. We began our day with the typical French breakfast consisting of a cappuccino, fresh jams, and my favorite – pain au chocolate. We then reached our first destination, Pont du Gard. This structure is considered one of the best-preserved Roman aqueducts, dating back almost 2,000 years. As we walked across the main bridge, it was incredible to consider how talented the architects must have been to build something of that size with a fraction of today’s technology. The beaches at the base of the structure provided a great view and opportunity to take some pictures (like these!). The museum that followed provided insight into how aqueducts use gravity to deliver water to an entire city, enabling even indoor plumbing. I would love to come back in future years in July or August, since the river flowing below it becomes warm enough to swim and relax in.
After this excursion, we made our way to the actual city of Avignon, where we were immediately impressed by the high city walls and the palace that succeeded them. As we initially explored the city, a few of us found a small Japanese restaurant where we got delicious bento boxes. We didn’t stay too long, though, because we were excited to explore the lookouts located at the top of the city. This was hands down the best scenic outlook of the day!
Finally, our tour of the Palace of the Popes began, which I had never heard of until this week. The tour explained that, for a brief period, the papacy’s headquarters were moved from Vatican City to Avignon in the 1300’s. Much of the architecture reflected this time period with gargoyles and sweeping rooms filled with frescoes. Along with the elaborate interior, the gardens and courtyards also provided calm places to sit and chat with friends. Overall, this has been an excellent week filled with new friends, great food, and interesting history!
