My Year Abroad in Lyon: Sunshine, Lectures & Getting Scammed

Hi everyone! I’m Vaspan, a Civil Engineering MEng student at the University of Southampton. I spent my third year doing a study abroad exchange in Lyon, France (that’s right, baguettes and berets). This is my honest, occasionally chaotic, and hopefully helpful reflection on the year.

Why Lyon?

Well, picture this: the French study abroad team from École Centrale de Lyon came all the way to Southampton during my second year, gave a presentation, and totally sold the dream. They had sun, mountains, rivers, cheese and it wasn’t raining. I was hooked. Also, I’d never really travelled in Europe (I’m originally from Iran), so this was the perfect excuse to explore a new part of the world while pretending I was doing it for “academic reasons.” Unfortunately, I was so busy that I didn’t really get the chance to explore but the little that I did was very memorable.

First Impressions: Sunshine & Sports Fields

I landed in Lyon in late August 2024. Getting from the airport (east of the city) to campus (west) took about two hours. But when I arrived, wow. The sun was shining, the campus was huge, there was a football field, and the staff were waiting to welcome me. I felt like a celebrity. Or at least, a moderately important guest. What’s cool about École Centrale de Lyon is that everything is on campus: your accommodation, your classes, your labs, the canteen, even your social life. No long walks through rain to find lecture halls like in Southampton, just roll out of bed and you’re there.

Making Friends & Faking French

They gave us two full weeks of orientation activities for international students. Hiking, city tours, sports, evening events, you name it. It was like summer camp but with slightly more wine. Now, did I speak French? Absolutely not. I didn’t know “bonjour” from “croissant.” But surprisingly, it wasn’t a huge problem. Most people spoke English, and I managed fine. That said, if you do know French, you’ll have more course options and a deeper cultural experience—so if you’ve got the time, give Duolingo a go before you come.

Culture Shock: French Lecture Edition

Let’s talk about academics, because wow, the French and UK university systems are very different. Not better or worse, just… different. And it was definitely an adjustment.

In Southampton, I was used to:

• 45-minute lectures
• Tutorials that last about two hours
• A chilled-out timetable where you might have nothing one day, and 2–3 spread-out sessions another day
• Plus, everything is recorded and uploaded online, so if you miss something, you can always catch up later

Now fast forward to Lyon:

• Lectures are two hours long
• Tutorials are four hours
• You start at 8 a.m. (yes, really) and might go until 5 or 6 p.m.
• There’s a long lunch break from 12–2 (which is very French and honestly quite nice), but still, you’re in class all day, every day

And here’s the kicker: no recorded lectures, no automatic slides or backup materials. If you miss a session, you’ve just missed it. Simple as that. The structure felt a lot more intense and a bit old-fashioned compared to Southampton. Personally, I just preferred the UK approach, it felt more flexible, more modern, and better suited to how I learn. But I want to be clear: the teaching itself in France was great. The professors were knowledgeable and passionate, and I definitely learned a lot. That said, in one or two classes, I really struggled to understand the teacher, not because of the content, but because I couldn’t quite follow their accent or speaking style. It wasn’t a major issue overall, but it did make a few lectures pretty tough to keep up with.

So no, I didn’t hate the French system, I just didn’t love the structure. It’s more rigid, and for someone used to the Southampton way of doing things, it took a bit of getting used to. But hey that’s part of the study abroad experience, right?

Life Outside Lectures

Outside of class, things were much smoother. Accommodation was affordable (around €400/month for an ensuite room). Meals in the canteen were cheap too, about €3.50 for a full meal. The only issue? I didn’t like the food. I might be picky, but if I’m going to France, I want my taste buds doing backflips. Good news: the bakeries absolutely deliver. I used to roll my eyes when people said, “the croissant in France just hits different.” But honestly? It does. I am now That Person.

Let’s Talk About Food (aka My Cheese Awakening)

Okay, I can’t believe I almost forgot to talk about the food. I mentioned earlier that the croissants and pain au chocolat in France hit different, and trust me, they really do. You won’t understand it until you take that first buttery bite. But here’s something I didn’t expect I became a cheese guy. Before Lyon, cheese was just… cheese. But in France? It’s a full-blown lifestyle. There are hundreds of types. Soft, hard, strong, stinky and they’re all delicious, and I fell hard. It’s like I entered a cheesy version of Narnia and never looked back. Beyond that, Lyon is known as the gastronomic capital of France, and honestly, it lives up to the hype. There are bakeries, bouchons (local Lyonnais restaurants), and so many hidden gems that made every meal feel like a celebration.

But above all, there was one restaurant that completely stole my heart:

🧡 PIAZZA – Comptoir Italien (or as I call it, Giuliano’s)

This Italian spot became my second home. The owner, Giuliano, is the man. The nicest guy you’ll meet, and he makes the best Pinsa Piccante I’ve ever had in my life. I was there every week! yes, weekly stuffing my face with spicy, cheesy, pizza-y goodness. If you’re ever in Lyon, go there. Ask for Giuliano. Tell him Vaspan sent you. You won’t regret it.

Lyon: The City of Two Rivers and 10,000 Charms

Now let’s talk about Lyon itself, because this city? It’s unreal.

First of all, Lyon is geographically blessed. Two rivers—the Rhône and the Saône—run right through the city, splitting and curving around it like it’s showing off. You can walk alongside them at any time of day; morning coffee, afternoon stroll, late-night existential crisis, they’re always there, looking picturesque.

But Lyon isn’t just a pretty face. It’s absolutely packed with cultural gems and historic sites. Here are a few of my favorites:

• 🏛 The Opera House – Right in the heart of the city, next to Hôtel de Ville. It’s massive, grand, and even if you don’t go inside, just standing there makes you feel like you understand classical music.
• 🏰 Fourvière Hill & Notre-Dame de Fourvière – A must-see. Take the funicular up the hill, walk around the basilica, and enjoy the best panoramic view of the city. The basilica itself looks like something out of a fairytale—inside and out.
• 🏙 Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) – This is the medieval part of the city. Cobblestone streets, little artisan shops, traditional bouchons (local restaurants), and beautiful Renaissance buildings. It’s super atmospheric, especially at night.
• 🏞 Parc de la Tête d’Or – A huge park with a lake, a botanical garden, a free zoo, and about 4,000 joggers. Great for a Sunday picnic or pretending you’re going to start running regularly.
• 🍽 The Presqu’île area – Right between the rivers, full of cool cafes, shops, street performers, and honestly some of the best people-watching opportunities you’ll ever get.

Plus, Lyon’s location makes it a travel paradise. You’re two hours from Paris by train, just a couple hours from the south of France by bus, and really close to Geneva and the Swiss Alps, Milan, and other dreamy European cities. Weekend trips are a breeze (and cheap if you plan ahead).

And did I mention it’s the gastronomic capital of France? Oh wait, I already did. But it deserves to be mentioned again.

Important Stuff: Visa, CAF, Insurance, Transport, Banks & Customer Service Headaches

🎫 Visa Validation

If you’re a non-EU international student like me, step one is to validate your visa after arriving in France. It’s an online process, but don’t leave it too late bureaucracy in France moves slower than the Metro on a Monday morning.

🩺 Health Insurance (L’Assurance Maladie)

This one’s a win: in France, as a student, you can get L’Assurance Maladie, the national health insurance system, completely free. It covers up to 70% of your medical costs. It’s basically French NHS with more baguettes.

All you have to do is register online when you arrive, and boom, you’re covered. It doesn’t replace private insurance if your visa requires that, but once you have it, you’re in a much better place if anything goes wrong (or if you just need a suspicious French pharmacy item at 2 a.m.).

🏠 CAF = Free Rent Money

CAF (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales) is magical. It’s the French government giving you money just for being a student paying rent. You apply, you wait (a lot), and eventually they pay part of your rent. It’s not a loan, you don’t have to pay it back. Just be prepared for paperwork and very slow email replies. And maybe, just maybe, a little tear of joy when the euros finally land in your bank account.

🚌 Public Transport: Cheap, Simple… Tap or Get Fined

Lyon’s transport system is brilliant. For €25–30/month, you get unlimited access to metros, trams, and buses. They’re clean, fast, and actually show up on time (looking at you, UK).

BUT here’s the twist: in Lyon, you don’t tap your card when you get on the bus like in the UK. You just walk in. Bold, right?

BUT WAIT. There are random inspectors everywhere, and they don’t play. You’re supposed to tap your card inside the bus, after you board. Forget that, and you’re in trouble. I’ve seen more ticket checks in a week in Lyon than I’ve seen in my entire life in the UK. Tap that card like your student finances depend on it—because they do.

💳 Banks: Don’t Bother Unless You Like Stress

Unless you really, really need a French bank account (e.g. for CAF payments), don’t open one. Here’s my experience:

• App only in French.
• Terrible customer service.
• Took a month (yes, a month) to get my card.
• Required multiple in-person visits. In 2025. Why?

If your UK bank doesn’t charge foreign fees (Monzo, Revolut, Starling, even some Barclays accounts), just use that. Life’s too short for three-hour appointments to ask why your PIN still isn’t working.

📞 Customer Service: May God Help You

Here’s the deal: French customer service is built different. Not in a good way.

Everything takes longer. No one is in a rush. Emails get lost. Documents disappear. One time I opened a bank account, and it took three visits and two addresses, and I still had no idea what was going on. The mobile app looked like it came from 2009. If something goes wrong, whether it’s a parcel, a bank card, or even a sandwich order, it’ll probably take at least two weeks to fix. But somehow… everyone seems really happy. Like, living-their-best-life happy. People in France don’t seem stressed. Maybe it’s the croissants. Maybe it’s the low expectations. Maybe it’s that they just accept that nothing will work on the first try and they’re fine with it. Moral of the story? Be chill. Bring snacks. And always assume any “quick errand” will take three hours and require a mysterious extra form.

Scammed in Broad Daylight

Okay, here’s a cautionary tale. One day, I met a guy who was Irish and said he drove all the way from Belfast, stranded in Lyon with no money. His car was broken into, his brother-in-law was in tears, and he showed me his bank app to prove he could pay me back if I gave him cash for fuel and tickets. He even transferred the money right there and showed me confirmation.

I gave him €1,000.

Yeah. Never saw it again.

Lesson learned: don’t give strangers money, no matter how convincing they seem. Just smile, say “bon chance,” and walk away.

Final Thoughts

Despite some hiccups (cough lectures cough scammers), I had an incredible time. I made friends from all over the world, explored a new culture, and gained perspective I wouldn’t trade for anything (well, maybe €1,000).

If you’re thinking about going abroad; do it. Lyon is beautiful, French people are way nicer than the stereotypes, and the memories will last way longer than the stress of adapting.

Just don’t forget to tap your card on the bus.

A Massive Thank You ❤️
Before I wrap this up, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who made this experience unforgettable.

First, to the staff at École Centrale de Lyon, especially the amazing team in international relations, you were always there to help, whether I was confused about my lectures, lost on campus, or just in need of a friendly face. You made me feel welcome from day one, and I truly appreciate everything you did to support me. And of course, the Study Abroad team at the University of Southampton, you’re the reason I even knew this opportunity existed! If it weren’t for your support, encouragement, and endless info sessions, I would have never ended up in Lyon, eating ten croissants a week and calling it “cultural immersion.”

Thank you all so much for making this year abroad not just possible, but amazing. I’ll always be grateful and slightly more French because of it. 🥖🇫🇷