Summer Program in Rennes, France
Spend your summer studying French in Rennes! Below is information on:
- Program dates and deadlines
- About Rennes
- Program overview
- Prerequisites
- Accommodations
- Excursions
- Fellowship aid
- Program costs and application
- Contact
Please note that all information about this program is tentative and subject to change. Check with the program director for the most recent information.
Program Dates and Deadlines
The program dates for the 2025 Summer Program in Rennes are May 24—June 24, 2025.
All applicants will be considered for the Mildred Burton scholarship and/or any related donor awards with priority for those with demonstrated financial need. Merit only applicants will be considered for scholarships on a fund availability basis. Scholarship determinations will be made in February 2025, although late applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
About Rennes
Rennes is a fascinating blend, combining a center of higher education with a rich tradition of legend and history. This capital of Brittany is home to many universities and institutes as well as to electronics and telecommunications industries.
In its historic center there are architectural reminders of its long history, from a portion of the medieval gate, to the lovingly restored 18th-century Parliament, to the most modern of shopping centers. Rennes is both a modern city and a town attached to its Celtic roots.
Rennes is close to the landing beaches of Normandy, the port city from which Cartier sailed to the new world and the ancient abbey of Mont Saint-Michel.
As one student remarked, "It was perfect for our study. It’s small enough so that it’s not too overwhelming, but large enough to not get bored."
Program Overview
Courses are held every weekday morning and are taught by an MLC faculty member. Students take classes in French language, culture, and contemporary issues in the historical context of France, Brittany, and the city of Rennes.
Afternoons and evenings are usually free for exploring the city, enjoying its cafes and restaurants, taking in its parks and markets. Along with a guided tour of the city, planned activities include a stop at the lively Saturday morning market with a peek at the bridal parties gathered around City Hall, as well as a visit to the Fine Arts Museum and the museum of Breton life.
Weekends are free for personal activities, family excursions, or an occasional optional trip to a nearby site of interest. The Fête de la Musique, an all-France, all-day and all-night musical festival, takes place every year at the Summer Solstice
Students receive four credits and should be enrolled in either FREN 157 or FREN 207 depending on prior language experience. Both courses can count toward the French major or minor, and each is part of the Introduction to French Studies cluster.
Prerequisites
One year of college French or the equivalent.
Accommodations
Students are welcomed in the homes of host families in the city and the nearby suburbs. Breakfast, dinner, and all weekend meals are offered by the families. In the past, host families have
even included our students in family parties and vacations, weddings, and christenings.
Excursions
When students arrive in Paris they are met by the program director and are housed in a hotel in the lively Latin Quarter. Three days are devoted to a group orientation to all things French: food, language, customs, and the stunning sights of the City of Light.
During this orientation students visit the:
- Église Saint-Bernard de la Chapelle
- Notre Dame de Paris
- Musée du Quai Branly
- Musée Picasso
- Latin Quarter with an emphasis on the Black cultural Presence
- Le Panthéon
- Ruins of a Roman arena
- Eiffel Tower
- Chateau and gardens of Versailles built for Louis XIV
Students may also pursue individual interests among the sights and attractions of one of the world’s most beautiful cities.
Once settled in Rennes students have weekly excursions—an integral part of the curriculum—to places including:
- The medieval abbey of Mont Saint Michel
- The landing beaches of Normandy
- The Peace Museum in Caen
- Musée d’Histoire de Nantes
- Nantes: The Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery
The precise scheduling depend on factors such as the French calendar and the schedule at the Institut Franco-Américain, which hosts the program and provides the classroom, family placements, and practical arrangements.
Fellowship Aid
The UR Education Abroad Fellowship Fund helps defray costs for UR undergraduates studying language abroad. Applications are part of the online application process due at the end of January.
Program Cost and Application
The program fee includes:
- Tuition (four credits)
- Hotel accommodation and some meals in Paris
- All local transportation and museum fees
- Round-trip fare on the high-speed train from Paris to Rennes
- Homestay (with breakfasts, dinners and weekend meals)
- Instruction
- Excursions
- Some meals
- The gala farewell dinner
Transatlantic airfare, incidentals, and most lunches are not included in the program fee.
Tuition and program costs will be added to your official tuition bill. For information on payments and deadlines, please refer to you official billing statement from the Office of the Bursar.
Interested in studying in France? Apply online today! The deadline for applications with consideration for Burton Awards is January 24, 2024, although late applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Contact
For more information, contact:
Cilas Kemedjio
Professor of French(585) 275-4251
Lattimore 406
cilaskemedjio@rochester.edu