INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

The faculty in the Fashion and Interior Design Department firmly believe that a college education is not complete without an opportunity to travel abroad.  The department tries to offer at least one study tour each year.  In the past trips have been taken to Paris, China, Italy, and Greece.

Trips last approximately 2 weeks and are usually scheduled right after the end of spring semester.  A faculty member arranges the trip and accompanies the students. 

In Paris, fashion students are exposed to the global fashion industry along with visits to traditional points of interest, such as The Louvre, Notre Dame, and Versailles. 

The trip to China gives students an opportunity to visit a part of the world that, for many years, was isolated from the West.  Our sister campus in Dalien makes the arrangements for our groups and provides an english speaking guide to help the travellers navigate the unfamiliar culture.  Fashion students are offered a glimpse into the huge fashion industry.  Where else can you get a custom tailored suit in three days?  Interior Design students visit some of the oldest sites in the world and gain an understanding of how the past influences the designs of today.

Last year's trip to Italy and Greece took students to all the classic historical sites.  Students were able to see the buildings and decorative arts that are talked about in class.  On the next trip to Italy, a visit to Milan, the fashion capital of Italy,  is being included.

It is hoped that through these experiences the students will be able to synthesize the material given to them in class and see how it applies to the real world.

Check this page in January to see where we will be going this coming spring!

DOMESTIC TRAVEL

Early each year, a group of 20 students travel to New York City for a 5 day visit in the fashion capital of America.  In addition to a Broadway show and sightseeing tours, they visit a variety of fashion businesses.  Trips in the past have included visits to the the design houses of Tommy Hilfiger, Kate Spade, Calvin Klein, as well as, Capelli International,  Cotton Incorporated and Fairchild Publications.  Students are allowed time to shop on their own.  Mood, the three-story fabric store seen on Project Runway is a popular destination for the design majors.  Students who wish to do a summer internship in New York City are encouraged to sign up for the trip and arrange interviews for internships with their chosen sites.  We have found that by going to New York City early in February we beat the rush and our students are first in line for internships.  All 7 of the students that interviewed during the 2009 trip got internships in New York City.  While it is traditional for the internships in New York City to be unpaid, the experience gained and the inclusion of this experience on their resumes is invaluable.  The ability to rent a dorm room at NYU makes the summer a little more affordable.

The 2010 New York Study Tour is in the planning stages now.

FGI, Fashion Group International, is a global, non-profit, professional organization for the fashion industry.  They sponsor regional career days for students.  Speakers from all facets of the fashion industry give presentations about what they do.  Trend board competitions give merchandising majors a chance to win scholarships and a fashion show gives design students a way to showcase their original garments and win scholarships.  Kansas City and Chicago schedule their events for the fall and Dallas is scheduled for the spring.   We are proud to say that our students place consistently in their competitions.