Paris vs Rennes for a college semester abroad?
 

My daughter has a choice between studying at university next year in either Rennes or Paris. My first impulse is, well, Paris of course. We've never been to Rennes, but Annhig has good things to say about it, and it looks like a charming city.

My daughter envisions herself traveling around Europe and therabouts while she's in the neighborhood, and we see that Rennes' nearest EasyJet and Ryanair ports are in Nantes.

Assuming equal excellence of education in both places, any opinions?

well, sure, but it's just a personal opinion -- no way in the world would I choose Rennes over Paris, I love Paris. I like big cities, and I love Paris and everything it has to offer. It's a lot better city as a travel hub, also.

BUt if she can't decide, she obviously has different tastes and goals than I do (or did at that age, I never would have chosen a city like Rennes over Paris when I was in college, either).

OMG!! Are you and your daughter daft???

Paris, without question.

If you choose Rennes you belong in the Looney Bin.

Paris can rock your world and change your life forever.

Thin

I love Rennes - it's one of my 5 favorite cities in France. However, nothing beats Paris. Like Thin states - Paris will change her life forever - she may not want to return.

BTW, Rennes has direct TGV connections to Provence & the Riveria - but Paris has hundreds of connections to everywhere.

Stu Dudley

A thought occurs - would not the primary criterion for such a decision as this be the quality of the course or university? Rather than the attractiveness of the place to tourists? Have I missed something?

Thanks,Christina, Thin, and Stu. As I said, my first response was duh, Paris. Good to know about the TGV, Stu.

You know how moms are: not necessarily eager for their little darlings' worlds to get rocked, and, yes, stfc, hoping they'd do some actual studying from time to time.

I like Rennes, too, but I highly doubt anyone ever said "Rennes changed my life forever."

Paris, without question.

And stfc, the OP clearly stated "assuming equal quality of education in both places."

Thanks, StCirq.

Hi stokebailey,

As everyone says, Paris.

I studied political science there (a lifetime ago), and yes it was a singular experience. When the streets and the local newspapers are more relevant than your texts, and your instructors have personal experience with a handful of political regimes, it is an education worth its weight in gold.

Oh, and it's a nice city too. : ))

s

>> Rather than the attractiveness of the place to tourists? Have I missed something?<<

I think Paris has some "world class" things to offer that are not entirely "tourist" attractions - Louvre, Orsay, cultural diversity, zillions of "minor" exhibits & forums, interchange of ideas with thousands of other students from all over the world, etc. My wife studied in Brittany for a sememster - but looking back now, she would have rathar studied in Paris.

We live in a popular tourist city (San Francisco), and there are tons of things in the Bay Area that are educational & enriching that are not noticed at all by the tourist hords that flock here.

Stu Dudley

I've been to both and its Paris hands down!!! You can get to lots of places in Europe, not to mention its PARIS!!!!

Paris for what it offers, but it may be that Rennes may be better for learning French with fewer opportunities to slip into English.

Thanks, swandav. That reinforces my first impulse on it.

Thanks again, Stu. It's good to hear your wife's perspective.

True, BikerScott! You can't get around the fact that one of the choices is Paris.

Michael, that's a good point. We like staying out in the countryside where English is rare. Her classes will be conducted in French, though, and I hope that her living situation would be with non-fellow-Americans.

I agree that the choice should be made based on academics - you want to be sure that she will get credit for all courses she takes. (A niece-in-law) of mine studied in Edinburgh for this very reason - to be sure she got full credit.)

Don't know the schools in question - but unless the one in Rennes is much better, Paris wins hands down.

Of course it is all about the citylocation stfc. What a silly question. Who goes abroad based entirely on the classes?

PARIS! College is short, life is long; Paris is perfect for either one.

My daughter is very grateful for your replies, especially since they reinforce her (and my) original thoughts. The only other person she knows at her school who did a French semester was in Rennes.

Yes, silly me. What have universities' academic qualities got to do with choosing a course. And my assumption that French establishments weren't all of identical standard. How much one learns here!

Hi, stfc. In this case, my daughter is going more for the experience and language immersion, and we assume instruction at the universities (including the Sorbonne, which even I have heard of) would be adequate.