Summary

Offered through the Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE), this program in France is co-sponsored with UW-Madison. The CIEE Study Center in Rennes began in 1971, and is geared to students with intermediate French skills interested in perfecting their language skills. Students have the opportunity to take regular university courses at the University of Haute Bretagne (UHB). Students strengthen their French skills through a combination of French language and content courses taken at the Centre International Rennais d'Etude du Francais pour les Etrangers (CIREFE). CIREFE is a department within UHB that teaches both French language and content courses to international students.

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 offers students an opportunity to learn the distinct Celtic traditions particular to this region of France.

Academics

Upon arrival in Rennes, students are tested for language proficiency and are placed in the level corresponding to their ability. During the first three weeks, students are enrolled in an intensive language course. Instruction during this initial period concentrates on developing language skills, with emphasis on overcoming initial grammatical and lexical problems and increasing conversational fluency.

Following the intensive language session, and based on the results of a placement exam, students enroll in classes at the CIREFE and the UHB. Students are placed in one of six levels in the CIREFE depending on their performance on the placement examination at the end of the Preliminary Language and Culture course. Each level has a prescribed set of courses. Since placement is determined after arrival, students should have their home school advisor evaluate courses at all levels for credit.

Students take a minimum of 14 credits and usually 16 to 18 credits per semester. This includes the following: - Required preliminary language and culture course (2 credits) - Required language course at level of placement (an average of 6 credits) - 3 to 5 content courses which are 2 or 3 credits. Content courses include courses on French Literature, Civilization, History, International Relations, Art, Film and Media.

* If placed in the advanced level, one or two UHB courses can count in the content courses selected.

Cost

Program cost information includes not only program fees, but out-of-pocket expenses with notes to help explain costs. Program fees are estimated and can be adjusted at any time. Accepted students receive cost sheets with confirmed program fees in their acceptance packets.

Fall 2009-10 Cost Estimate Sheet Spring 2009-10 Cost Estimate Sheet Year 2009-10 Cost Estimate Sheet Fall 2010-11 Cost Estimate Sheet Year 2010-11 Cost Estimate Sheet

Location

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 offers students an opportunity to learn the distinct Celtic traditions particular to this region of France.

Student Life

Orientation:  A required orientation session held before departure at UW-Madison helps students prepare for studying abroad. Topics covered include academic, financial, administrative, cultural, and site-specific issues.

A mandatory three-day orientation is conducted in Paris at the beginning of the program, which introduces students to the country, the culture, and the academic program. At this time, the Resident Director meets with students individually to confirm their housing requests. The on-site orientation provides practical information about living in the city of Rennes and includes a city tour, meetings with the resident staff to complete the university registration, and with a professor from UHB who presents the academic program, course selection, and suggestions on study methods for courses at CIREFE and UHB.

Housing:  During the program, students live in French homes. Students eat breakfast and dinner Monday through Friday and all weekend meals at the place of residence. Meal tickets are distributed for lunches during the week.

Excursions and Activities:  Throughout the semester there are one and two-day excursions to places like the beaches of Brittany, the coast in Normandy and the chateaux of the Loire Valley.