A New Healthcare System
Dropped in a new country, fresh out of high school and suddenly you’re sick and need to see a doctor. That’s a scary feeling. How do you even begin to navigate the world of international healthcare? Going to a doctor’s appointment without your mom or dad can feel intimidating, but it’s even scarier when you’re in a country that speaks a different language and has a completely different culture.
Finding Help When You’re Far from Home
Adjusting to life in Paris can be overwhelming, but the Health and Wellness Division at AUP helps make that transition a little easier. The university has health office staff like doctors, counselors and therapists. They’re also there to help with the stress of navigating medical insurance and making appointments. I recently had the chance to speak with one of the healthcare office staff members, Anne-Laure, who was busy with students, but had the time to tell me, “Our goal is to make sure every student feels cared for and supported, no matter how far they are from home.”
I spoke with a few students at AUP about their experiences with the health office. A senior at AUP, Jackie Laplante, told me how she needed to get her blood drawn, but didn’t know how to go about it in Paris, so her first step was to contact the office. “I made an appointment through email, and I met with the doctor a few days later. She took my blood pressure and then helped me make an appointment with a lab to get my blood drawn. It felt very stress-free and relieving, since I was super anxious at first.” For many students, the health office isn’t just a resource, but also a safety net, helping us feel supported as we settle into our new lives abroad.
How Doctolib Makes Healthcare Simple
At the American University of Paris, the Health Office is often the first stop for students with medical concerns, especially when they first move to Paris, but France also has strong resources beyond the university. Doctolib, launched in 2013, and is now the country’s leading online medical booking platform. On the app or website, you can search for general practitioners or specialists by name, specialty or location. Booking takes just a few clicks. Many students told me they rely on Doctolib as well. “Back home, my mom would call the doctor and wait on hold forever. Here, I found an English-speaking doctor in five minutes and booked an appointment for the next day,” said Aya Kabbani, a senior at AUP.
Language Barriers and Health Hurdles
Of course, there are challenges. Some students struggle with insurance, while others find that doctors listed as English-speaking don’t always communicate fluently, meaning Google Translate often has to step in. “It’s not always as smooth as it looks, but compared to the US, where a single doctor’s visit can cost hundreds of dollars, it’s worth the occasional confusion,” a student told me.
It can feel isolating and scary to see a doctor in another country, but between AUP’s resources and tools like Doctolib, the process becomes much more manageable. At the end of the day, the scariest part isn’t the French healthcare system—it’s just going to the doctor without your mom or maybe dealing with a grumpy French doctor.
