Submitted by Kara Kimos on the 2024 Spring program in Aix-en-Provence, France…
One of the things I’ve appreciated most about France is what seems to be a very apparent awareness of how the locals interact with the environment. There are minimal cars traveling on Aix’s cobblestone streets, and I find myself surprised to see a car occasionally coming behind me on my walk into town. I’m averaging 4-6 miles of walking per day! That being said, the city bus system is huge, and I am so grateful to have purchased a student bus pass. When I do wind up taking the bus, all the buses are labeled either “hybrid electric” or “100% electric”.
Sustainable food is also of major importance in France! There is a great deal of pride surrounding the purchase of domestic goods, and there are major produce markets in town three days a week. The fresh produce is incredible — I’ve gotten everything from (massive) red bell peppers to the pears that are in season right now! As for grocery stores beyond the markets, my host university recommended an app for finding produce, croissants, and more that did not sell right away at their original business. The food is still fit for consumption, but is discounted in order to help prevent food waste. I’m super excited to try out this app — an assorted fruit and veggie basket for 4€ just sounds too good to pass up! I also was thrilled to find tofu at a local organic store. I don’t eat meat, and I frequently rely on tofu as a protein source. I was concerned about finding vegetarian/pescatarian options while abroad, but I have been doing pretty well with the restaurant and grocery store selection.
Lastly, the Mediterranean climate allows for the buildings to rely on central heating systems, so my apartment does not have air conditioning. My program coordinators told us that French utility bills tend to run high, and citizens are encouraged to conserve their energy usage. When we leave the windows/balconies open, we have to take care that the radiator in each room is turned off. My apartment does not have a dryer, so my roommates and I instead dry our clothes on clotheslines on the balcony or on our drying rack inside. For the washing machine, there is a note from the previous apartment owner encouraging us to use the machine during “green energy hours” from 2:30 – 5pm. We try to run it during these hours whenever we can!
Overall, it’s super interesting to see how sustainability is handled in a different country, and I can’t wait to learn more about European environmental initiatives in some of my classes this semester! (Submitted on January 27, 2024)