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I am South African, grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa,
studied in Cape Town for four years, and then studied in
Paris for five years. I speak Afrikaans, English and French.
When I applied to AUP, I was what is sometimes referred
to as a “non-traditional” student. I had already completed a
BCOM degree at the University of Cape Town in Economics and
Finance and, though I enjoyed that, could not see a future
for myself in those fields. I came to AUP to re-equip. I
wanted to get out of my usual environment, to learn a new
language, and to study literature with people from all over
the world. For doing this, as the old school motto reads,
“there is no place like AUP.”
The amazing thing about AUP is that the “classroom
experience” hardly ever stops in the classroom. I read Dante
on a faculty-led trip to Italy. I learned about French drama
by accompanying professors to Paris theaters. Frequently an
author I was studying would give a lecture at AUP, or even
come to class.
Anyone who wants to get involved in AUP student
activities is faced with a plethora of options. Upon arrival
I was especially impressed by the student publications. In
this small university, students produce journals, both
creative and academic, that very few larger institutions can
rival.
I worked for the Correspondence of Samuel Beckett project
at AUP. Finding Beckett-related documents in the libraries
of Paris is a great way to discover the city! It was
wonderful to be able to contribute to such an exciting
project. This internship is also what led to my encounter
with Emory University in Atlanta, GA., where the project is
based in the US and where I am currently working toward my
PhD.
While at AUP I also interned at the Center for Writers &
Translators, which allowed me to meet a host of exciting
writers, including two Nobel laureates. Through AUP I also
got in touch with the Dalkey Archive Press and managed to
translate two novels under AUP faculty guidance. Paris is
the literary city. Studying literature opens up the city
and the city opens up literature.
I look forward to translating more books, completing my
PhD, and hopefully obtaining a faculty position thereafter.
Thanks to AUP I have friends all over the world.
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