Bonjour, France! First Impressions of France/Rennes

The experience of studying abroad, in and of itself, can be rather emotionally intense. These complex feelings are only magnified by choosing, as I did, to study in a completely unfamiliar country. Yet, with a new, foreign environment, there is a whole world to experience.

As someone from a rural town in Northeastern Connecticut where driving 10-15 minutes to get anywhere is expected, I was simultaneously taken aback and enthralled with the system of public transportation in France, and despite my parents’ wishes to make my arrival in Rennes as simple as possible, I insisted on taking the train. I am incredibly thankful for my stubbornness, as this train ride – spent glued to the window – gave me an exhilarating preview of the various landscapes, architectural styles, and general essence of France. After a short two hour train ride which went by incredibly fast, I was greeted by my host parents, and due to a mix of excitement and nerves, unpacked as quickly as possible. My host family wasted no time integrating me into the family, as my first week in Rennes consisted of two dinners with friends and a lively going away party for my host sister. These initial moments have given me incredible memories along with a strong insight of French culture, Breton traditions, in a way that simply seeing a city could not provide.

As I have previously done some solo traveling, during my first moments in Rennes (after settling into my host family), I followed my typical program of simply wandering. As this mantra doesn’t necessarily give much specific insight to the reader, I can try to elaborate. On these seemingly aimless walks, I will put some destination (often a coffee shop) into my phone then look for the longest, most winding path to arrive at my destination. While wandering, headphones at full volume, I often abandon the suggested path, detouring down any street that looks even remotely interesting, hoping to stumble across an area of Rennes I hadn’t researched beforehand. The orientation of the program granted me ample time to wander, and I certainly capitalized on this relaxed period, venturing into every part of the city. On these walks, I was in awe of the juxtaposition of half-timbered Middle Age buildings signature to Rennes and the more modern buildings, lush parks, and magnificent botanical gardens. The streets were consistently lively, a far departure from where I’m from, immersing me not only with the city but its inhabitants and community.

While I have certainly gained a greater knowledge and understanding of Rennes (and more generally, France) since my arrival, I frequently revisit the places that marked my first weeks here.

Jake BERNSTEIN

Clark University 

CIEE-Rennes LA – FALL 2024