10 questions to Seren DavisInternational student at UA

Seren Davis is an American student from Decatur, just outside of Atlanta in Georgia. She has recently arrived at UA as an ISEP exchange student and will be taking several courses at the Faculty of Languages, Humanities and Social Sciences. She has kindly agreed to answer our questions on her studies, hobbies, career plans and first impressions about Angers.

First name: Seren
Last name: Davis
Age: 21
Nationality:  American
Subjects studied in your country: I’m majoring in English, with a Creative Writing concentration.
Courses taken at UA:  Here at UA, I’m taking courses in linguistics and translation, as well as a course on American cultural icons just for fun.

Where do you come from? Can you describe how it is there?

Back in the United States, I attend Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia. Decatur is just outside of Atlanta, the capital city of Georgia. It’s a really nice place to go to college, because Decatur itself has a warm, welcoming small town energy, but I can also take the metro into the big city very easily! It’s also very walkable, which is something I don’t take for granted. 

Why did you choose Angers and the University of Angers?

I chose the University of Angers both because it offered courses in the subjects I was interested in, and also because I liked the energy of Angers itself! I lived in Brussels, Belgium from the ages of 10 to 14, so I’d visited a few different regions of France before, but I’d never had the opportunity to visit Pays-de-la-Loire. I was attracted to Angers because of its status as a “student town”, but I was also drawn in by its history – I’ve been planning an excursion to go see the Apocalypse Tapestry.

How did your arrival in Angers go? What about your first weeks in Angers and at UA?

My arrival in Angers was a bit hectic, but luckily I was able to open a bank account, get my Irigo pass, and move into my dorm, all in the first 72 hours! In my first weeks, I’ve been mainly focused on sorting out my schedule and making sure all of the courses I want to take gel together in a coherent fashion, but I’ve also been connecting with other students and making plans to explore the city.

Do you enjoy living in France and in Angers? What do you like here?

There are a lot of things I really enjoy about living here! Convenient and accessible public transport is a huge asset that I have been taking advantage of. Also, proper bread! It’s hard to find really good baguettes in the United States, and I’ve been revelling in my ability to go to pretty much any boulangerie and trust that I’m about to purchase a delicious baguette de tradition. 

What do you miss about your country?

Shops being open later! I’m a bit of a night owl, so I’ve had to adjust my schedule to make sure I can get everything I need to in a day. Honestly, though, I think the French attitude towards work culture is much healthier than the American attitude, so I’m not too put out about it. Also, I know this is so American of me, but I miss getting ice in my water at restaurants.

What are your hobbies and interests back in the US?

Back in the US, I’m a member of my college choral ensemble, as well as a member of the Anime Club and Poetry Club! I also really enjoy attending lectures by visiting authors and poets.

What do you think this mobility experience will bring you (study-wise and on a personal level)?

Study-wise, I’m hoping to improve my translation skills by honing my French in an immersive environment. On a personal level, I’ve been wanting to return to Europe since I left at 14, and I’m hoping to forge new connections and open myself up to new experiences. 

What are your future plans?

In the future, I’d really like to go into literary translation from French to English, as well as writing original stories of my own.  

Anything else you'd like to share?

I just want to express how grateful I am to the staff at UA for making me feel welcome, and emphasize how excited I am to be here!

Thank you Seren!