Drexel in France: CIEE Rennes
The Rennes Liberal Arts program is run by the Council for International Education Exchange (CIEE) and offers a great opportunity for Global Studies and French language students. It was designed for study abroad students from across the US, providing participants a chance to meet and study with students from various backgrounds. CIEE participants take courses together, which are held at a local university, and also have the option of take 1 - 2 classes with local French students. It is a perfect way to focus on your language skills and immerse yourself in French culture. For more information visit www.ciee.org/study-abroad/france/rennes/liberal-arts/
With its young population of 60,000 students, Rennes is a perfect setting for study in France. Just two hours west of Paris by train, Rennes is the capital of Brittany. Economically very dynamic, the city is known as a center for technology. The city offers an excellent variety of cultural events, with its national theater, opera, orchestra, numerous cinemas, soccer stadium, and skating rink. Rennes provides study abroad students the opportunity to learn the distinct Celtic traditions particular to this region of France.
Experiencing an entirely new culture is at the heart of the CIEE program. There is an orientation program upon arrival, and a CIEE Program Director will be on hand to help students settle in and get the maximum out of their stay. Depending on the location, students may either live in a student residence hall, an apartment or with a host family.
Orientation: This program includes a mandatory three-day orientation in Paris at the start of the program to introduce students to the country, culture, and academic program. Once in Rennes, an orientation provides practical information about living in Rennes and includes a city tour, university registration, and other academic preparation guidance.
Excursions: The CIEE program fee includes visits to museums and theaters, and excursions to sites such as the southwestern coast of Brittany, beaches of Normandy, Mont Saint-Michel, and castles of the Loire Valley.
- 3.0 minimum GPA
- Prior study of French language
- Sophomore status or higher
The CIEE Rennes program offers a combination of French language and content courses taken at the Centre International Rennais d’Etude du Francais pour les Etrangers (CIREFE), and the opportunity to take regular university courses with local French students at the Université de Haute Bretagne Rennes II (UHB) campus. Students start the program with an intensive 40 hour CIEE language and culture course. They then begin classes at CIREFE and UHB in subjects such as French cinema, history, economics, and literature.
Course Availability
Review
CIEE Rennes course offerings.
CIEE Rennes Academic Structure:
Required preliminary language and culture course
Required language course at level of placement
Three to five content courses
Grading
Students earn Drexel grades and credit and for the courses taken through the CIEE Program. All courses are taught by faculty members from the Université de Haute Bretagne, Rennes II. French grades will be assigned and then converted into American grades for Drexel student records.
Optional Teaching Internship: Students can participate in a teaching practicum in a French primary, middle, or high school. This is a great way for students to learn more about the educational system in France and become involved with the Rennes community, while earning credit through teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL).
Fall Semester Dates and Itinerary
| Program Start Date |
Early September* |
| Program End Date |
Mid December |
*Students should be prepared to leave summer term class/co-op several weeks early. Students should prepare to make adjustments and be flexible in fitting this program into their Drexel schedule. Due to the need for cycle adjustments, students should begin planning 12-18 months in advance.
The language pre-requisite is FREN 310. Students who have completed FREN 203 prior to fall term 2016 are waived from FREN 310. To advance their language skills more quickly before studying abroad, students should consider taking more language courses during their freshman summer vacation term or on campus during their co-op terms.
Students live in carefully selected French home stays, either in Rennes or a close suburb. All families provide internet access, breakfast and dinner, and all weekend meals. Home stays are a perfect opportunity to immerse in French culture and improve language skills.
All non-European citizens are required to apply for a French student visa.
Visa Instructions
Program Costs
This is a Drexel sponsored program, thus your Drexel tuition and financial aid remain the same during your term abroad. For additional program cost and budget information, please review the Budget Sheet linked above. Students may also want to submit a revised budget to Drexel Central to see if additional funding may be available.
The CIEE Rennes Program Fee includes: 3-day Paris orientation and activities; French homestay and most meals; visits to museums and theaters; excursions to sites such as the southwestern coast of Brittany, beaches of Normandy, Mont Saint-Michel, and castles of the Loire Valley; On Call Emergency Assistance insurance; on-site support of CIEE staff.
Financial Aid
Financial aid applies for this program. Students who receive Federal Work Study should consider applying for the Study Abroad Online Journalist work study position (only available to students after acceptance).
Scholarships
To seek additional funding, review the Scholarship & Funding Opportunities. Remember that scholarship deadlines may be much earlier than study abroad deadlines, so plan accordingly.
For more information on these and many other scholarship opportunities, visit our Scholarships page.
