Hi everyone! My name is Isabella, and I have just finished my year abroad in Lyon, France. I studied at Université Lumière Lyon II. I began this experience with a mix of excitement and uncertainty, imagining that, over time, I would start to feel at home here. That through speaking the language, adapting to daily life, and immersing myself in the culture, I would eventually blend in. What I didn’t expect was how complex that question would become.
Before I left for my year abroad, I expected it would shape my understanding of the French language and culture – I had no idea it would have such an influence on my sustainability choices and music taste! I have chosen to share some snippets from my last diary entries that I wrote while in Lyon, which reflect on the main themes of my year abroad – my immediate environment, eco-consciousness, and cultural immersion.
My environment
Living alone in Confluence, where the Rhône and the Saône converge, in a studio apartment. Seeing the river from my apartment.
I’ll remember the quiet rhythm of the mornings in Lyon. The walk from Confluence to university is more than a commute, it’s a thirty minute therapy session. I missed the beach in Eastbourne when I first got here, but I’m starting to think the Rhône has equalled it. No seagulls.
My journey with eco-consciousness
I began my year abroad slightly conscious of how my travel would contribute to carbon emissions. I researched the effects of two plane journeys, LHR – LYS. This triggered an interest, or perhaps a challenge, in how sustainable I could make my year abroad. Here is a diary entry which reflects on the changes I made:
A quick google search on their policies last September told me they’re promoting ‘responsible urban planning which prioritises the well-being of current and future populations’. What does that even mean? And then I saw it. Clean air, clean streets, birdsongs, shrill shrieks of children running through the green spaces, solar panels. They estimated that their renovations would produce the annual electricity consumption of around 6,500 residents here in Confluence. It really sticks out to me – this isn’t green-washing politics, it’s real action.
That’s why I chose to live as sustainably as I could this year. I’ve been shopping at the local markets, instead of choosing processed foods in plastic wrapping. Stretching 10 euros is a mission, a true skill. I’ve learnt my power as a consumer; the value of my money, and the value of who I will give it to. Green transport choices too. My TCL card has been irreplaceable (well, apart from the time I left it on the metro and had to replace it). The metro system, ever-evolving towards electric, puts Southampton’s buses to shame in both efficiency and eco-friendliness.
I now know that ecological change isn’t made in performative policy. It is made in how you choose to live each ordinary day, how you feel about the world around you, how you feel about your own body. Lyon has met me halfway on my journey to live a more sustainable life. I hope the lifestyle I take forward mirrors and exceeds the life I started here.
Sat by the Rhône for the last time before I leave.
Cultural immersion
The most culturally immersive moments of my exchange year took place in the multitude of live music events I attended. In my first month, I heard drum and bass music blaring from nearby while sitting on the tram, and like a true Brit, I got off to follow that sound. A rare sound which reminded me of home, in the land of Techno and Eurotrance music. An open-air rave was taking place by the Musée de Confluences, completely free entry, with food and drink stands lining the side of the park. This set the tone for the rest of my year – I had this blessing over and over again. ‘Grooverie Thursdays’ became a weekly ritual, where the local jazz bar put on an open-mic for a couple of hours after the jazz sets, and anyone could request to sing a song. One night, while speaking to the band when the night had ended, I realised that these people travel all over Lyon (and France), performing and sharing their love for music. Nightlife and musical culture is huge, and is supported by almost everyone. I felt extremely lucky to be able to attend all of these events, free of charge, which seems impossible in the UK. Some events were marketed just for the English exchange students, much to the disappointment of the French techno-lovers – I think the group of 20 English girls at the ‘UK Garage’ night was pretty off-putting to the locals… But accidentally turning up to a hardcore Punk set made us feel just as left out. Looking at my playlists now compared to before I left, its clear that jazz has made its mark on me.
Good luck to everyone planning their year abroad, and I hope you make the most of it. It’s not as scary as it seems! These moments have the capacity to change us in ways we would never expect, so embrace it.