Civil Responsibility and More Insurance

I'm not sure if the French expression connerie(s) has an accurate English translation without venturing into swear word territory. Anyway, the closest thing would be 'stupidities' but I don't think that's really a word. This word can be used like a noun. For example, "fais attention à ces gars-là , ils font souvent des conneries".

Another French expression is the extremely versatile bétise(s) which is easily translated into mistake, or what results when you do or say something wrong, accidental, unacceptable etc.
For example, I once asked a woman for directions who, at first, tried to recall by memory but then politely said "s'il vous plaît donnez-moi votre carte. Il faut que je la regarde pour que je ne vous raconte pas de bétises". Alternatively, somebody might spill something on the floor and tell you: "faites attention, j'ai fait une bétise".

The thing about insurance is that although the French consulate in Canada requires that you provide proof of medical coverage from your province along with an extended plan, exchange students from non-EU member countries are required to join the French Social Security (fee is approximately 189€€) with no option to opt-out.

At Lyon 3, you pay this fee (in the form of a money order that you can get from La Poste made out to the the "Agence Comptable Université Lyon 3") when you submit the documents for your student card (which, by the way, are: 3 passport photos {with your full name written on the back}; and 1 photocopy of your birth certificate)

Another insurance that is mandatory for foreign students is a particularly French thing called l'assurance de responsabilité civile (trans. civil liability insurance)*. This insurance is mandatory for foreign students in France. The most concrete example that I was given as to why you need it is, for example, you are playing a sport and accidentally elbow another person in the eye. S/he ends up needing medical treatment, enter this insurance that will cover their medical costs or whatever rather than you having to pay out of your own pocket.

I'm not sure if you can buy this insurance in Canada - maybe in Québec because I noticed that the French insurance company, SMERRA, operates in Québec - so I just filled out the supplementary "Attéstation sur l'honneur"(available from the Consulate's website) that I would purchase this as soon as I got to France. However, I did visit an insurance agent in Chinatown who suggested that if I was under twenty-five and a student, to see if I might be covered for something similar under my parent's home insurance. In France, this insurance can usually be purchased along with your other mandatory health and/or housing insurances.

The best places for students to buy insurance is through SMERRA or LMDE. Sometimes, banks will also have insurance deals for students. This year for example, Le Crédit Lyonnais (LCL) had a deal that offered annual insurance for 1 euro to any student (under 25) that opened an account with them.

* I say it is a particularly French thing only because the Canadian insurance agents I inquired through had no idea really what it was. Also, I had a hell of a time looking up in google.ca if it could be purchased in Canada. In contrast, my first attempt to look for "L'assurance de responsabilité civile" on google.fr was a super hit.
Read more...

Getting Insured

This was probably covered during the Go Global pre-departure orientation session but I have a stupid habit of not taking very good notes at, or a pen to, these things. It may also be in the Go Global handbook but I'm starting to believe that I suffer from severe, untreated, ADD. Anyway... I literally can't leave home without this since both the Go Global office and the French consulate need proof of coverage from me.

I contacted Chantille from the Go Global office who helpfully advised me that when she went on exchange, she had a combination of the AMS/GSS plan and BCAA's "dollar a day" coverage (I haven't looked into that). She added that Go Global deal with a private company called David Cummings - for incoming foreign exchange students - but that I could also check with Travel Cuts etc.

What they told me at Travel Cuts
I was presented with a few options (basic and premium) which were between approximately $345-546 for 11 months. Seemed around what I was expecting for being away for so long. I held off in order to shop around.

I went with the AMS/GSS plan
Located next door to Travel Cuts, the girl behind the counter was friendly and helpful and knew exactly what I needed after I told her that I was going on exchange. The AMS/GSS plan - which is usually paid for with your tuition and fees, unless you specifically defer, in which case you must already be covered through another plan - covers all of your out-of-country medical expenses during your stay and up to $1,000,000 of emergency travel health coverage 60 days before and after the duration of your studies abroad.

One exception
The AMS/GSS plan offers no Trip Cancellation coverage, lost luggage etc. It is difficult to find separate coverage for incidentals like these but, it is not impossible. I have a Bank of Montreal Mosaik Mastercard which offers the aforementioned coverage for $60/year. For each trip that I book on my card, the insurance covers $250 for each item lost and up to $750. Most credit cards offer this as a separate insurance.
Note: If you are borrowing one of your parents' cards or anyone else's, check beforehand to see if your belongings could be covered, it's unlikely but worth a call.

Even though Travel Cuts is located right next door to the AMS/GSS office, they may not know that you have out-of-country coverage through the school plan and even if they did know, why should they tell you? You might choose to go with another plan simply because you want that trip cancellation/lost baggage etc. coverage included (I was tempted because I've been told that there are many luggage-thieving imps lurking around Paris), in that case, don't forget to go to the AMS/GSS with your proof of coverage from another plan and request to defer. Since the AMS/GSS plan is deducted automatically from your tuition fees you wouldn't want to end up paying an additional $330 for something you already have. Read more...

Finding a Roommate in Lyon

I located a website: www.appartager.com for finding roommates in Lyon and, apparently, anywhere else in the world.

How it works:
You create a profile which includes, obviously, your criteria and preferences. Then you write a little blurb about yourself and submit it to be scanned by appartager.com members also looking for roommates.

After joining the service, you can either 1) search through the postings to find profiles that fit your criteria or 2) wait for periodic e-mails by the site's administrators of new postings that fit your criteria.
This service is quite good except membership is divided into "premium" (requires payment) and "basic" (free).

The site's administrators advise that communication between two basic members can get right annoying because you can only send each other "flash messages" which are template messages such as: "I am intrigued by your ad" and "Are you still looking for a roommate?" with only yes or no options. The administrators add that, for fairness and general credibility, they do monitor and will delete any blurbs that include any contact info or pervy comments.
Premium membership displays your e-mail - so interested parties can contact you - and also gives you access to the contact info of others.
(I was lucky enough that my new potential roommate used her friend's premium membership to get my contact info).

Tip: I think that I had generated some interest in my profile because I had blurbed that I was an anglophone Canadian who could help my potential roommate improve their English. I think it's useful to let them know that you're useful. Read more...