Health and exercise in Lyon (LingoMap)

Salut tout le monde! How are you? Good? Cool!

So, I’ve just spent a whole semester livin’ it up in Lyon, France. While I was there, I noticed a few things when it comes to how French people exercise and take care of themselves.

It seems that the younger generation have taken very easily to gym culture. Many of my French friends have weekly appointments at the gym and are dedicated to staying trim.  The younger generation (including university students) tend to do sports as a way to meet their credit requirements. University in France is extremely competitive and therefore they exercise very hard too. I have honestly never been part of such a competitive basketball for beginners’ team before! My university (Lyon 3) has roughly 20 different ways to run, train or martial-art your way to health, and they are split into 3 groups that meet several times a week. They work around the university schedule. The three main groups you will likely find are débutant, intermédiaire and competitive, so there’s something for everyone.

I have also noticed, however, that the older generation prefer to take long walks, cycle or run in order to maintain their health. They are also quite self-controlled. They don’t over-indulge in food and eat some of the world’s best food in moderation. I really don’t know how they manage it quite frankly! While in Lyon, I have eaten everything and anything without shame.

However, many French people stray from their healthy lifestyle by smoking. Despite their self-controlled, healthy lifestyle, the smoking culture is quite dominant in France.

What is clear across the board is that exercise is a social affair for many people. If you are in France for a certain period of time, joining your local club or university teams (for your sport of choice) is a good way to make friends and improve your French. It might be difficult (so very, very painfully difficult) but give it a good try.

Le système social en France

Quand j’étais en France, j’ai cassé mes lunettes (en jouant au basket) et j’ai découvert que le système en France marche différemment au système au Royaume Uni. Quelquefois il est difficile de comprendre un monde nouveau, spécialement si on ne peut pas parler la langue. Voici des conseils pour utiliser les services en France:

• Avant de voyager en France (ou les pays dans l’union européenne et la Suisse) on a besoin d’avoir la carte européenne d’assurance maladie. Quand on l’utilise, on peut recevoir le même traitement que les Français. On peut le recevoir sur cette site web (https://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/about-the-ehic.aspx)
• Pour ceux qui portent des lunettes ou des lentilles: l’ophtalmologue et l’opticien sont diffèrents en France. On a besoin de prendre rendez-vous pour voir l’ophtalmologue. Par contre, on peut aller à l’opticien pour acheter des nouvelles lunettes/lentilles sans rendez-vous.
• Même si les services de santé sont gratuits en France, on a besoin de payer pendant le rendez-vous, ensuite on peut demander un remboursement. On peut trouver plus d’information sur cette site web (https://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/countryguide/Pages/healthcareinFrance.aspx).
• Tres important: voilà le numéro des services d’urgence : 112.  On peut l’appeler gratuitement.

D’accord, c’est fini pour l’instant. A la prochaine! ;D

Rhoda