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International Students @ Rennes 2: A New Zealander PhD student's experience

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A New Zealand student from the University of Canterbury tells us about his experience while here.

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It's nice to meet you. Could you please tell us about yourself - where you’re from & where you're at in your studies?

My name is Rory, and I am from New Zealand. I am studying at the University of Canterbury, where I'm in the second year of my PhD programme in Statistics. I am aiming to help predict grape yield in vineyards.

What motivated you to complete an exchange program and what led you to choose Rennes?

I have always been interested in the opportunity to study abroad. Because of my PhD topic in wine, it made sense that I did my exchange in France. I met some people, who have worked/are from Rennes, before the exchange, and they convinced me to come here.

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Rory
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Could you please describe a typical day while here?

A typical day in Rennes involves me going to the university in the morning until lunchtime, where I work in an office with other PhD and Masters students. I then go home and make lunch. I then go back for the afternoon to the office. I try to walk around new areas in the evening, as there is much to explore here in Rennes. I then return home for the evening for dinner, if I do not have plans with friends here.

While at the university, did you have the opportunity to interact with other students much (French or international)?

It helped that a fellow student from my university in New Zealand arrived here before me, so it was easier to meet the other students. I had not learnt enough French before arriving here to be comfortable in speaking, but the people here were very accommodating and helpful when I had any questions/issues.

Would you recommend the Rennes 2 experience to anyone at home? If so, could you please tell me in a couple of sentences on what you found most interesting about this experience?

I found the people here to be very kind. The amazing thing about a place like Rennes is that there are always opportunities to be able to explore around the region.