In a rare instance, the Prefecture of Paris honoured Arthur Seurin, a PGE student at SKEMA. During his gap year, Arthur, who has studied at our Sophia Antipolis and Belo Horizonte campuses, saved the life of his elderly neighbour who was trapped by flames in her apartment on the 8th floor in the 12th district of Paris. "My parents woke me up to tell me that there was a fire in the neighbour's apartment and that she wasn't responding when they knocked on her door," Arthur explained.
A brave rescue
Showing nothing but courage, the student climbed over his balcony and hoisted himself up onto the terrace of the neighbouring apartment. There, he saw that his neighbour's apartment was on fire and filled with smoke, and a lady staggering about. "I saw the intensity of the flames and I thought I had to go in. I grabbed a stick to break down the door, a handkerchief to protect myself from the smoke, and went in. I found the neighbour swaying. I took her by the hand and led her to the balcony to wait for the fire brigade."
A few days later, the young man was congratulated by the mayor of the 12e arrondissement via WhatsApp. "My neighbour told me that she had mentioned me to the Prefecture of Paris. Three months later, I received a letter from the Prefect telling me I was being honoured." Invited to Ile de la Cité, Arthur received his award from Laurent Nuñez, the Prefect of Paris. "I was standing next to citizens who heroically sheltered people during the Bataclan attacks, and others who saved children in the Seine. It was impressive!" said Arthur.
Having almost completed his master's, Arthur is starting a final study internship at the Bretteville consultancy, specialising in management and strategy advice for banks and insurance companies.
Congratulations, Arthur!