CIEE Programs

CIEE: Rennes

Year-long Program at Rennes (CIEE)

September-June Prerequisite: Minimum of one 250-level course (two recommended).The city of Rennes, located approximately two hours west of Paris by TGV, is the administrative, economic, and intellectual capital of Brittany. With its two major universities, Rennes I (sciences) and Rennes II (humanities), and its young population of nearly 60,000 students, Rennes offers a blend of an old medieval quarter and a modern city. Its national theater, opera, orchestra, numerous cinemas, soccer stadium, and new skating rink offer a rich panoply of cultural and sporting events, complemented by a wide variety of restaurants, discos and live music. It also offers students an opportunity to learn the distinct Celtic traditions particular to this region.The Université de Rennes II enrolls about 20,000 students (including some 650 international students) and has approximately 350 faculty members.  The campus is located about a mile northwest of the downtown.

Academics
Students enroll in semester-long courses taught at the Centre International Rennais d’Etude du Français pour les Etrangers (CIREFE), which are open to CIEE students and to other international students. The program begins with a two-week intensive language course (Cycle I) composed of three distinct parts: written expression, oral expression, and French civilization. Students take 20 hours of class per week during this period. Following Cycle I, students complete a 13 week program of study they design in consultation with the resident director from a variety of course offerings. Students who have an adequate level of French may take regular University courses alongside French students. Four or five courses are considered a normal load for this period. Classes meet Monday through Friday, with excursions on some weekends.Two of the features that are unique to the full year program in Rennes are its Cycle I, a month-long intensive language/culture course that precedes the regular full semester, and the opportunity to teach English in a French public or private school. The program is designed for French majors or other students having a high level of competency in French. While well suited to all students, the program offers unique opportunities for students who may be interested in a teaching career.

Credit
Students may receive a total of nine St. Olaf credits for their work in the year-long program. Three of the French language and literature courses may count toward the French major. One approved history course may also count toward the history requirement of the French major. One phonetics or applied linguistics course may count toward the applied linguistics requirement of the French teaching major. Other courses (e.g. art history) may count toward GE requirements or for graduation credit.

Accommodations
While in Rennes, students live in a room in a private home and take breakfast and dinner Monday through Friday and three meals on Saturday and Sunday with the family. Tickets for lunches during the week in the University restaurants are included in the program fee. Homes are located either in Rennes or nearby. Students also have the choice of living in a university dormitory.

Semester Program at Rennes (CIEE)

Semester I, Semester II 
Prerequisite: Minimum of one 250-level course (two recommended). See description of year-long program (above) for information regarding the city of Rennes, the CIREFE, the Université de Rennes II, and the academic program.

Credit
Students may receive a total of four St. Olaf credits for their work in the Fall only CIEE Rennes program. One of the French language and literature courses may count toward the French major. One approved history course may also count toward the history requirement of the French major. One phonetics or applied linguistics course may count toward the applied linguistics requirement of the French teaching major. Other courses (e.g. art history) may count toward GE requirements or for graduation credit.