Paris
Report 1
Reporter: Asher Giora
Contact at destination: Prof. Payen /Dr Clavier
Year of visit: August - September 1994
Country: France
Region: Paris
Institution: Hôpital Lariboisiére, 2 Rue Ambroise Paré, 75010 Paris CEDEX 14, France
Department: Réanimation, Post - operative and traumatologie
Work / Study undertaken: Intensive care - simpler procedures - ECG recording results etc
Description of the service and department-
Description of destination: Fairly peaceful area of the 11th arrondissment. Some Chinese shops and restaurants. Not much locally in the way of cinemas but easily reachable via metro
Were the local people friendly? I didn’t see much of the other people in the building but the French medical students and doctors were all very nice and very kind to me- taking me out to dinner etc.
Did you feel safe and if not why not? yes
What did you do in your spare time ? Went out with French students and doctors. Went to the cinema (lots) and to the opera and theatre once each. Went to a couple of museums and the Pére Lachaise cemetery to se the monument to the Paris commune. Walked around Paris a lot as well.
Is there anything that you would particularly recommend others to do? Opera Bastille, Place se Bastille. Cheapest tickets which enable you to see everything ff130. Student tickets available just before performance.
What time of the year were you there? What was the climate like? August - hot beautiful September - rain.
What was your accommodation like? Medical student’s one room flat.
Was it provided? Exchange elective with French student including accommodation.
If not who arranged it? Self
How much did it cost?
Did you enjoy your visit? Yes and yes - it was wonderful
Did you find it useful medically? - in what way?-
Has it improved your French?-
How has it increased your knowledge of French culture?-
If you went back would you do anything differently? Take more money if I could find some!! (Paris is genuinely expensive.)
How did you get there? British Airways - student flight £72 return, maximum age 32 (need ISIC card as well -£5)
What was the approximate total cost? £1500 - but I went out a lot and bought several books. Can be done more cheaply if necessary
Is there any other information that you think may be useful? The main obstacle is language. Possible to work in intensive care if you don’t speak brilliant French as most of the doctors speak excellent English, but better if you do speak good French. Passive smoking is a MAJOR health hazard in French hospitals. Most French health professionals smoke like chimneys.
Report 2
Reporter: Simon Conroy
Contact at destination: Pr. Menard
Year of visit: August 1994
Country: France
Region: Paris
Institution: Hôpital Brousais, 96 Rue Didot, 75674 Paris, 010 33 14 39 59 59 3
Department: Day hospital dealing with arterial hypertension almost exclusively.
Work / Study undertaken: Clerking, examination and discussion
Description of the service and department-
Were the local people friendly? Yes - very much so.
Did you feel safe and if not why not? Yes
What did you do in your spare time ? Trips in and around Paris. Weekends away. Family evenings, friends.
Is there anything that you would particularly recommend others to do? Paris
What time of the year were you there? What was the climate like? September. Indifferent - hot spells and storms.
What was your accommodation like? Private accommodation - with my girlfriend’s family!
Was it provided? no
If not who arranged it? Self
How much did it cost? 3500ff per month
Did you enjoy your visit? Yes
Did you find it useful medically? - in what way? Yes
Has it improved your French? Hard work
How has it increased your knowledge of French culture?
If you went back would you do anything differently? choose a more varied, less specialised service. Better French ability.
How did you get there? Air France. Car better if a lot of luggage.
What was the approximate total cost? £3000
Is there any other information that you think may be useful? Language is very important, should be prepared for a challenge. Be well organised, something can always go wrong! Get a good description of the service. Try to arrange accommodation locally, travel is tiring
Report 3
Reporter: Julia Thompson - Edinburgh
Contact at destination
Year of visit: 22.11.96 – 22.12.96.
Country: France
Region: Paris
Institution: Hopital se la Pitie - Salpetriere
Department: Infectious diseases parasitology tropical medicine and public health
Work / Study undertaken: One month as an ‘externe’ – (final year student) on the infectious diseases wards. Ward work in the mornings, meetings or clinics in the afternoons. Five day week 9am to 6.30pm.
Description of the service and department: Doctors and staff very friendly
Description of the destination: It doesn’t matter where you stay in Paris the metro is very efficient
Were the local people friendly? Like any big city really
Did you feel safe and if not why not? Yes even on the Metro at night in central Paris
What did you do in your spare time ? Comedie Francaise, Musee D’Orsay, Montmartre, eat crepes. Paris is expensive but there is no shortage of things to see
Is there anything that you would particularly recommend others to do? See the guidebook!
What time of the year were you there? What was the climate like? November to December – same as Britain, pretty chilly
What was your accommodation like? I stayed with a friend of a friend
Was it provided? No, there is no accommodation in the hospital
If not who arranged it? Self
How much did it cost? Youth Hostel 120ff per night. PG 170ff per night
Did you enjoy your visit? Yes
Did you find it useful medically? If so, in what way? Yes
Has it improved your French?
How has it increased your knowledge of French culture?
If you went back would you do anything differently? Take an ophthalmoscope – it’s not a basic ward instrument and fundoscopy is not part of the clinical examination – all that CMV retinitis and nothing to see it with
How did you get there? Plane. Stanstead – Charles de Gaulle £50
What was the approximate total cost? About £350 but apart from the first four nights in a youth hostel, I had no rent to pay
Is there any other information that you think may be useful?
Report 4
Reporter: Zoë McElhinney
Contact at destination :Pr Didier Sicard, Chef de Service, Médicine Interne
Year of visit: 1999
Country: France
Region: Paris
Institution: Hôpital Cochin, 27 Rue du Fauburg Sainte Jaques, 75679 Paris CEDEX 14
Department: Internal medicine
Work / Study undertaken: Ward rounds twice a week shadowing an "externe" and following the progress of her patients. Practical procedures – ECG, blood gasses, sub cutaneous injections etc.
Description of the service and department: General medical ward
Description of the destination: The grounds of the Cité Universitaire are extensive and pleasant. It is in a fairly residential area opposite a park and RER station and about fifteen minutes walk to the nearest shops
Were the local people friendly? Some of them!
Did you feel safe and if not why not? Yes
What did you do in your spare time ? Galleries, museums, cafés, bars, restaurants, cinema and theatres.
Is there anything that you would particularly recommend others to do?
What time of the year were you there? What was the climate like? 11th September to 23 rd October. Mainly sunny and dry, quite cold towards the end of my stay
What was your accommodation like? Residence Robert Garric, Cité Universitaire, 21 Boulevard Jourdan, 75014 Paris. It was very good, excellent restaurant and lots of friendly students around.
Was it provided? No
If not who arranged it? I had to arrange it and this was quite difficult
How much did it cost? 3000ff a month
Did you enjoy your visit? Yes
Did you find it useful medically? If so, in what way? Yes
Has it improved your French?
How has it increased your knowledge of French culture?
If you went back would you do anything differently? I would not work in the same department as I felt they were not very keen to have selective students around.
How did you get there? Eurostar
What was the approximate total cost? About £1000
Is there any other information that you think may be useful?
Report 5
Reporter: Asha Giora
Contact at destination: Dr Benoit Dalle Practitioner Hospitalier
Year of visit: 1995
Country: France
Region: Paris
Institution: Pavilion Ferrus, Centre Hospitalier St Anne, Centre Henrie Roussselle, 1 Rue Cabanis, 75674, Paris CEDEX 14, France
Department: Psychiatry
Work / Study undertaken: Sitting in on small group, large group and family interviews with psychiatric patients (mainly psychotic)
Description of the service and department-
Description of the destination: Quiet old street in middle of quite busy arrondissment
Were the local people friendly? Yes, very
Did you feel safe and if not why not? Yes
What did you do in your spare time? Saw lots of films, Cezanne exhibition, Nabucco at Opera Bastille, went out with friends
Is there anything that you would particularly recommend others to do? Opera Bastille
What time of the year were you there? What was the climate like? End of summer - some sunshine some rain
What was your accommodation like? Stayed with physiologist who works at Ferrus
Was it provided? Yes
If not who arranged it? Self
How much did it cost? Free
Did you enjoy your visit? Yes
Did you find the visit useful medically? - in what way?
Has it improved your French?
How has it increased your knowledge of French culture?
If you went back would you do anything differently? Book a cheaper opera ticket in advance!
How did you get there? Eurostar
What was the approximate total cost?
Is there any other information that you think may be useful? French medicine in general seems to be entering a difficult stage with jobs being lost in many sectors.
Report 6
Reporter: Louise Melvin
Contact at destination: Pr. Albert Najman, Chef de Service D’Hématologie
Year of visit: 1996
Country: France
Region: Paris
Institution: Hôpital Saint-Antoine, 184 rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine, Paris 75012
Department: Haematology
Work / Study undertaken: Observational study of cytomegalovirus infection in bone marrow transplant patients.
Description of the service and department-
Description of the Destination: Huge student campus. Very pleasant surroundings and within central zone of transport network.
Were the local people friendly? Yes, I found the Parisians very friendly and hospitable.
Did you feel safe and if not why not ? Yes - most of the time.
What did you do in your spare time? visited museums, galleries, parks, shops etc. Met friends for coffee / meal.
Is there anything that you would particularly recommend others to do? Musée D’Orsay, Saint Germain - en - Laye
What time of the year were you there? What was the climate like? March - April. Cold in March, unusually hot in April
What was your accommodation like?College Franco-Britannique, 19 Boulevard Jourdain, Paris 75013. Very basic with poor cooking facilities - very over-priced.
Was it provided? No
If not who arranged it? Self
How much did it cost? 110 ff. per night
Did you enjoy your visit? Thoroughly enjoyed it. Adored Paris.
Did you find the visit useful medically? - in what way? Found project extremely interesting
Has it improved your French?-
How has it increased your knowledge of French culture?-
If you went back would you do anything differently?I would have found accommodation in and apartment (lots listed in ‘France USA contacts’ a free American magazine found in shops, universities etc. Address 3 rue Larochelle 75014 Paris). I would have taken American Express traveller’s cheques. Most banks do not accept Visa traveller’s cheques. I was very glad that I’d attended the medical French course run by Liverpool University
How did you get there? British Airways - student fare.
What was the approximate total cost? £1500
Is there any other information that you think may be useful?
Report 7
Reporter: Mukai Chimutengwende-Gordon
Contact at Destination: Dr Philippe Hericord
Year of Visit: 2002
Country: France
Region: Paris
Institution: Hôpital Saint-Antoine, 184 rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine, 75012, Paris, France
Department: Service d'Urgences
Work/Study Undertaken: I worked for two months as an 'externe' in the Accident and Emergency Department. I spent the time clerking patients and discussing them with an interne or a consultant. I also learnt various skills such as suturing of wounds and applying plaster casts and was sometimes allowed to do prescriptions.
Description of the service: A busy and overcrowded Accident and Emergency Department. I saw a variety of patients some of whom were very aggressive.
Description of the destination: The hospital was in a very central area. It was walking distance from Bastille.
Were the local people friendly? They varied. Some were very friendly, especially those who were keen to practice their English. Some people at work were not particularly approachable initially, but after a few weeks these people became friendlier.
What did you do in your spare time? I spent my time socialising with friends I had made over the summer; (I spent the summer in Paris before my elective started). I went to the cinema, bars, clubs, dinner parties etc. I also walked around Paris a lot and visited various parks and gardens and went sightseeing.
Is there anything that you would particularly recommend others do?Just visit as many places in Paris as possible, e.g. la Louvre, le Marais, le Jardin du Luxembourg.
What time of the year were you there? What was the climate like? During August it was usually hot. In September, the weather varied and it started to get cold. In October it was quite cold and rained a lot near the end of the month.
What was your accommodation like?I stayed with a family friend.
Was it provided? No
If not who arranged it? I arranged it myself
How much did it cost? It was free.
Did you enjoy your visit? Yes
Did you find it useful medically? In what way? Yes, I saw a wide range of patients and really practised my history and examination skills a lot.
Has it improved your French? Yes dramatically.
How has it increased your knowledge of French culture? I learnt a lot about French culture as I was living with a French family and working with French people. I also met a lot of people from other French speaking countries e.g. Algeria, Senegal, Togo, Gabon, Mali, Ivory Coast and the Caribbean. I had the opportunity to learn a bit about about their cultures as well.
If you went back would you do anything differently?
I would not spend so much time in the Accident and Emergency Department as a student. It was really interesting but it was awkward, as I was dependent on the doctors before I could make certain decisions regarding patients. Usually the doctors were busy and it took a lot of energy to persuade someone to discuss my patients with me. Sometimes you had to wait a while until a doctor was free. During this time the nurses (who were also stressed) would harass me to find out what I was going to do with the patient, as the place was so overcrowded they needed to free up occupied rooms as soon as possible. Also, I'd be worrying about the patient if I thought it was something serious. If I had chosen another speciality I would have had a much easier elective. But, it was fantastic for my French! There's no choice - you have to communicate with the patients effectively.
How did you get there? British Airways.
What was the total approximate cost? About £900.
Is there any other info that you think may be useful?
If you decide to do Accident and Emergency be prepared for hard work! Although your French will improve while you're there, it's important that it's already relatively fluent before you start work. I had not spoken French for five years and couldn't remember much, but I spent a month in France before my elective started. I don't think I would have survived in the hospital without that. Despite that, it was still a challenge. It's probably a good idea to try and find out about the department that you'll be working in and what you'll be expected to do before you get there.
Report 8
Reporter: Chris Hilton
Contact at destination: Pr R Poupon
Year of visit: July – September 2004
Country: France
Region: Paris
Institution: Hôpital Saint Antoine, 184 rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine, Paris 75012
Department: Hepatology
(Ward, clinics, intensive care, investigations and day hospital)
Work / Study undertaken
Initially shadowing the externes and internes, later performing the duties of an externe, clerking patients, preparing notes, keeping note of blood results, performing small procedures (eg paracentesis). Also visited clinic, intensive care, and observed investigations.
Description of the service and department
I was extremely warmly welcomed to the Department by all of the students and staff. On several occasions we ate lunch as a Team (courtesy of the Chef du Service!). They were happy to explain things to me and for me to ask questions either about the science or the language.
Pr Poupon seemed pleased to have an English student visiting and enjoyed using me to improve the English language in his conference papers.
Description of destination
Lively are in the 12th between the Bastille and Nation. Many restaurants and bars. Walking time to the centre of Paris (Hôtel de Ville) is about 20 minutes. Cinema and Opera House nearby. Between two metro stations (Faidherbe Chaligny / Rouillery Diderot).
Were the local people friendly? I found Paris to be a very friendly place.
Did you feel safe and if not why not? Yes. Even late at night. More so than London in fact.
What did you do in your spare time ? Went out a lot in town to bars, cafes, cinemas and opera. Visited museums and tourist sites. Made several good French friends. Also visited Lyon for the weekend (cheap and quick on the TGV).
Is there anything that you would particularly recommend others to do?
Musee de Carnavalet (History of Paris) is interesting and FREE!
I enjoyed seeing performances at both Opera Houses – tickets are quite inexpensive (15 euros in the ‘gods’ but with a reasonable view).
In the summer the Parc de la Villette has an open air cinema festival with different free films every night. Worth checking out.
What time of the year were you there? What was the climate like? July / August / September. Very warm but not uncomfortable.
What was your accommodation like? I sub-let an apartment for the summer. Approximately the same price as London… ADVICE – don’t go through an agency the fees and deposits are extremely expensive… use contacts to arrange something informally.
Was it provided? No
If not who arranged it? Self
How much did it cost? £100 per week
Did you enjoy your visit? I loved it and can’t wait to return!
Did you find it useful medically?
It was extremely good to re-familiarise myself with General Medicine before starting the Final Year and I learned a lot about Liver Diseases. Comparing the way things work in England and France gave me several tips about how to organise my own work when I am qualified.
Has it improved your French?
Massively. I feel capable of taking a basic history and conducting an examination in French. I learned a lot of slang and am now happy to make small talk with friends/strangers. Previously I only had GCSE French and had attended the AFMS Medical French Course (extremely fun and useful).
How has it increased your knowledge of French culture? Very much, informally.
If you went back would you do anything differently? I would plan ahead my sightseeing so that I could make the most of the free entry nights to museums etc. I would also go later in the year if I could in order to catch some theatre (most theatres were closed for the summer break).
How did you get there? Eurostar from Waterloo (£60 return with ISIC card)
What was the approximate total cost? £2500 but I was quite careful not to go out too much. It is difficult to remember that you can’t behave as if you’re on holiday and eat out/go out every night for three months… it would be far too expensive!
Is there any other information that you think may be useful?
Buy the Oxford Handbook translated into French… Clinique Medicale de Poche (about 30 euros on amazon.fr).
http://www.amazon.fr/exec/obidos/ASIN/2718407247/qid=1098024879/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl/171-0964297-4270611).
Report 9
Reporter: David Magezi
Contact at destination: Pr Jacques MILLIEZ
Year of visit: May 2004
Country: France
Region: Paris
Institution: Hôpital Saint-Antoine, 184, rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75012 PARIS France
Department -Service : GYNECOLOGIE-OBSTETRIQUE
Work / Study undertaken: Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Delivered babies, under close supervision of midwives, and assisted in caesarean sections. Took part in Gynaecology clinics, by taking histories and presenting to the doctor. Also assisted in gynaecology theatre.
Description of the service and department: Part of large teaching hospital with 60 obstetrique and 20 gynaecology beds
Description of destination: Located in the 12th arrondissment. Nearby restaurants. Bastille is not far, where there are several more restaurants, bars, clubs..etc. The metro makes it easy to visit other areas.
Were the local people friendly? The staff were all very friendly. The fact that I was not formally introduced to anyone was little daunting at first. However, one is quickly welcome as part of the team. My landlord invited me to dinner with a friend at his place.
Did you feel safe and if not why not? Yes
What did you do in your spare time ? Went out with other friends (studying in Paris at the time), to various venues, especially in Bastille. Walked around Paris a lot. Visited some tourist spots, such as Tour Eiffel, Montmarte, Champs-Elysees, Louvre..etc. Went to the gym, there were a couple of well-equipped ones on rue du Faubourg.
Is there anything that you would particularly recommend others to do? The view from the top of the Eiffel tower is amazing as Paris is all one colour and relatively low-rise. The Louvre, but don’t expect to do it all in one day.
What time of the year were you there? What was the climate like? May. It was the end of spring, so generally warm
What was your accommodation like? Furnished, bilevel single apartment. It was located in the 11th, near Bastille in a very lively area with plenty of restaurants and bars.
Was it provided? No
If not who arranged it?
Self, via the internet (http://www.nyhabitat.com)How much did it cost? 1,220 EUROs and US$ 516 agency fee
Did you enjoy your visit? Yes
Did you find it useful medically? Yes in what way? It was part of my attachment in Obstetriques and gynaecology, thus it was my first ever clinical experience in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Has it improved your French? Yes. Not only the medical terms that I had to learn, but also my confidence in speaking French in general.
How has it increased your knowledge of French culture? Yes. Especially the meals that the healthcare staff had together.
If you went back would you do anything differently?
How did you get there? Eurostar and then returned by British Midland airways.
What was the approximate total cost? £2000 . Could have been done more cheaply. For example buying transport tickets in advance
Is there any other information that you think may be useful? To get the most out of it it is helpful to have some knowledge of French. All communication with doctors and with the patients was in French. It is also useful to brush up on some medical terms before scrubbing up. In terms of finding contact details for hospitals in Paris, I found www.aphp.fr extremely useful.
Report 10
Reporter: Karimun Nessa Ghori
Contact at destination: Professor Moret
Year of visit: April-June 2005
Country: France
Region: Paris
Institution: Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, 25-29 rue Manin, 75940 Paris CEDEX 19
Department: Interventional Neuroradiology, (research, data collection)
Work / Study undertaken : Data collection, observation of neurointerventional procedures, attended conference on latest neurointerventional technology in this field.
Description of the service and department: There were internes from many different countries who explained the technical procedures in detail and offered their help when needed. The staff were friendly and always ready to assist when relevant. The necessary arrangements were made to facilitate me whilst performing my data collection.
Description of destination The hospital building is situated opposite the beautiful Buttes-Chaumont park with its streams and waterfalls. There are many restaurants and cafes 5 minutes from the Fondation. Accessible from Metro Stations; Buttes-Chaumont, Bolivar or Colonel Fabien.
Were the local people friendly? The Parisiens were very friendly and helpful.
Did you feel safe and if not why not? Yes.
What did you do in your spare time ? Visited Bibliotheque Francois-Mitterand with its overwhelming architechture. Walked around the Marais and St Paul and ate at restaurants at St Germain des Pres. Visited Montematre. Went to Chateau de Versaille. Spoke to locals in French.
Is there anything that you would particularly recommend others to do? Go rollerblading on Sundays as they have group rollerblading sessions where several hundred people rollerblade around Paris. Eat Schwarma at St Paul on Rue de Rossier.
What time of the year were you there? What was the climate like? April / May / June. Comfortable.
What was your accommodation like? Initially, I stayed in a hotel but then discovered a place called Pension de Famille where I could rent a luxurious room for a reasonable price.
Was it provided? No
If not who arranged it? Self
How much did it cost? £100 per week
Did you enjoy your visit? I had an invaluable experience. It has truly changed my life.
Did you find it useful medically? I have developed knowledge in the field to a confident level and this has made it easier to write my elective project.
Has it improved your French? My French has improved extensively. I cannot stress the importance of living in France has made to improving my French.
How has it increased your knowledge of French culture? Remarkably.
If you went back would you do anything differently? I would plan my accommodation in Pension de Famille.
How did you get there? Air France from Birmingham International.
What was the approximate total cost? £2000. I did everything that I wanted to do and it was brilliant.
Is there any other information that you think may be useful? Spend the initial few days walking around Paris in order to become familiar with surroundings. It will help boost confidence and apply French language skills.
Report 11
Reporter: Sara Waise
Contact at destination: Jérôme Le Bidois
Year of visit: July-September 2008
Country: France
Region: Paris
Institution: Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, 149, rue de Sèvres 75743 PARIS Cedex 15
Department: Paediatric cardiology
Work / Study undertaken : Assisting the externes, observing the internes etc. on ward rounds and in clinic. Attended theatres and the cath lab, gave two short case presentations to the team.
Description of the service and department: The largest paediatric cardiology unit in France, receving referrals from metropolitan France and overseas départements. Medical and surgical staff involved in the diagnosis and management of congenital cardiac anomalies.
Description of destination: In a largely residential area close to Montparnasse, with a striking view of the Eiffel Tower from the main entrance! The closest Métro station is Pasteur.
Were the local people friendly? Most of them.
Did you feel safe and if not why not? Yes.
What did you do in your spare time? Lots! Sightseeing, swimming, visiting patisseries. Used the Vélib bicycles, had a day trip to Disneyland, visited Versailles, went to Paris Plage, and spent time reading the translation of Harry Potter in the Jardin du Luxembourg!
Is there anything that you would particularly recommend others to do? Take advantage of the Vélib scheme, it’s a good way to get around and sightsee at the same time. The Louvre is free for students after 6pm on a Friday evening. About once a month, the Mairie have ‘3 jours, 3 euros’; during a three-day period, you can see most of the new cinema releases for 3 euros each.
What time of the year were you there? What was the climate like? July, August and the first half of September. The weather was changeable. It was never very cold, but at its best was lovely!
What was your accommodation like? A privately-owned studio flat off the Boulevard de Grenelle. Complete with separate kitchen and bathroom, but very expensive.
Was it provided? No.
If not who arranged it? Self, through http://www.lodgis.com
How much did it cost? Approximately £2000 including agency fees.
Did you enjoy your visit? Yes.
Did you find it useful medically? I enjoyed furthering my knowledge of malformations and assoctaed syndromes. Paediatric cardiology is a more complex field than I anticipated – I felt that things were just beginning to come together by the time I left!
Has it improved your French? Immensely. It’s much easier to pick up the language by being there, even if it’s just by watching TV!
How has it increased your knowledge of French culture? I now have a much better understanding of the French healthcare system, and a clear idea of what it would be like to live and work in France.
If you went back would you do anything differently? Arrange my accommodation further in advance – apply to the Cité Universitaire (http://www.ciup.fr) - their accommodation was fully booked when I applied.
How did you get there? Eurostar from St. Pancras (£49 for a Youth ticket booked sufficiently far in advance)
What was the approximate total cost? £3250-3500
Is there any other information that you think may be useful? I was quite surprised by the extent of the language barrier – something I hadn’t anticpated. Although I did French for several years, plus the Diplôme de français médical, I felt that my involvement as a member of the team was limited by my linguistic ability. It would probably be nice to be confident in your fluency before you go, to get the most out of the opportunity.