My Four Tips for Healthy Living Abroad

Bonjour tout le monde! Hello everyone! I recently finished a semester abroad in Lyon, France. Looking back on the experience, there are things I want to share about my well-being and how I dealt with the challenges of maintaining good health. Prior to my departure, I was very apprehensive about how I would stay healthy—I knew my whole routine on life was about to change. Within the first few weeks, my sleep schedule, eating and exercise habits, as well as my overall mentality, went through major adjustments. I'm here to tell you the good, the bad, and the ugly from my experience, and hopefully provide some insight on how incredible it is to live abroad (and also how it isn't as glamorous as it may seem). Keep reading to learn my four tips for healthy living abroad.

Let's just get right to the ugly: I had two panic attacks within my first day in Lyon. I had never had one before in my life. Thank goodness for cell phones and being able to contact my mom to tell me what to do! Why was I freaking out? Well, I was overwhelmed with stress. My suitcase with all of my clothes and toiletries had not arrived, and was termed "lost" by my airline. In addition to that, I discovered I would be living on a ground floor apartment with a street window that offered minimal security. I tried to ignore these somewhat minor problems and go to bed after being awake for 36 hours. While I was trying to fall asleep, I was shivering and went to turn the heat on. When I went to turn it on, it simultaneously shut off the electricity. So with no heat, no electricity, and no luggage, I laid there restless and questioning why I made the crazy decision to move to France. 

Thankfully, the next day got much better. My heat and electricity were fixed, my airline contacted me to tell me my baggage had arrived, and I attended the orientation for my program where I met so many great people going through the same challenges. One thing I noted immediately is that I felt better when I was meeting new people and spending time with others. It wasn't until I came back to my studio apartment when my mental health would crash. Which brings me to Abroad Tip #1: Don't be afraid to spend time with new people. They not only provide comfort, but they also enrich the overall experience. I now have friends from Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Finland, France and Australia who all gave me a new perspective on life. Being with friends, or in a social atmosphere, had a very positive effect on my health. 

As weeks went on, I began adjusting to my life in Lyon. Since I love to cook, I did my best to make meals four days a week in my compact kitchenette. This helped me to save money and eat healthy. Abroad Tip #2: If you are living in an apartment, try to cook at least four days a week. Cooking at home is healthier than eating out and is less costly. It also gives you an opportunity to interact with locals at the markets—the checkout lady at the market I frequented was so kind and always told me I was beautiful when I was wearing zero makeup. It was a small interaction that made my day every time!

Easy Mediterranean Salad

This is a meal I prepared in my tiny French apartment. With only 9 ingredients, it is a simple, delicious plate you can make in any kitchen. The only cooking you need to do is for the quinoa & the egg!

Ingredients:

Mixed greens, avocado, broccoli, cucumber, garbanzo beans, sun-dried tomatoes, quinoa, feta, soft-boiled egg.

For the dressing:

1 part lemon juice, 3 parts olive oil, salt to taste.

In addition to eating well, I tried to exercise when I could. To be honest, the habit of exercising changed from frequently to rarely when I moved to France. One of the main causes of this was because I was scared to run outside alone. To avoid this, but still get my exercise in, I would walk as much as I could. Abroad Tip #3: Walk, walk, walk, and bike (most big cities have bike rentals available). It's not only great exercise, but it also allows you to see parts of the city you maybe wouldn't otherwise discover. For safety, go with a friend! 

Finally, Abroad Tip #4: It is important to take preventive care and get plenty of sleep, drink water, and eat well. Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way... I was afflicted with a sinus infection, stomach flu, and various other infections while abroad because of poor preventive measures. 

Paris, 2018

Maintaining good health while living abroad can be a difficult task. However, there are many strategies you can implement into your daily routine that will promote a healthy lifestyle. In summary, studying abroad is an incredibly enriching experience. You get the chance to meet new people, learn about culture and language, and establish independence. Even though my semester began adversely, it was these challenges that allowed me to grow and flourish. With that being said, I commend anyone who chooses to spend a semester abroad. It isn't an easy feat, but it's worth the journey!

Bises,

Willow