Jake Bernstein ’26 finds connection in Rennes, France
Jake Bernstein ’26 didn’t grow up speaking French. He didn’t have family in France. But he had a deep curiosity—and a love of food that led him down an unexpected and life altering path.
“I’m a huge foodie,” Jake says. “It was my love of French cuisine that got me started learning the language. But it’s everything I’ve discovered since—about culture, identity, and history—that’s kept me going.”
A double major in French and data science, Jake chose a semester-long program in Rennes for its emphasis on full immersion—linguistically, academically, and personally. He wanted to be somewhere that would really push him to use French every day, and Rennes offered that. He also loved that the city has a distinct culture and history all its own—not just a smaller Paris.”
To prepare, Jake dove into courses on French popular culture, Francophone literature, and the interdisciplinary National Imagination course that explores how national languages have been used to promote the sense of cultural continuity and identity for various national communities. These classes explored everything from immigration and identity to cartoons, slang, youth culture, and global Francophone literature—giving him the historical and cultural fluency to engage meaningfully abroad.
But nothing prepared him quite like his host family.
“The highlight of my experience was definitely living with my host family,” Jake says. “I saw tremendous improvements in my French and I truly felt like I was a real part of the family..”
“France has so much to offer, and you will make the most of it by putting yourself into all of it.”
Like many students who take the leap to study abroad, Jake wrestled with uncertainty. “It can be scary,” he admits. “But don’t let the fear of making mistakes in the language limit your experience.”
That immersive mindset carried him through—and helped him thrive. Between his classes, his host family, and his willingness to engage fully, Jake didn’t just study abroad. He lived it.
His advice to other Clark students considering Rennes or any study abroad program?
“France has so much to offer, and you will make the most of it by putting yourself into all of it.”