“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Miriam Beard�

From August through December I had an opportunity to study abroad in Paris by enrolling through the French fashion

business school, Mod’ Spe. While in Paris, I discovered a whole new world where people value quality, detail and time, and fashion is a way of life. At Mod’ Spe, I took three fashion

courses: product development, trend forecasting, and visual merchandising in addition to my French language and culture

course and French fashion history course. Each of my four fashion instructors were working professionals in their

industry and were able to teach from experience. I found learning about the French fashion industry and culture to be

incredibly inspiring and informative.���

In addition to the wealth of knowledge I gained in the classroom while abroad, the

culture and fashion I absorbed through the city, exhibitions and trade shows were just as incredible. The Fashion exhibits I was able to attend include: the Louis Vuitton marc

Jacobs exhibition, the Balenciaga and Comme de Garcon exhibition, and Chanel’s

Little Black Jacket exhibition.���

Louis Vuitton Marc Jacobs

Exhibition

Balenciaga

Comme De Garcon

In addition to the many fashion exhibitions I attended, I also attended events around the city. The most memorable of them All was Vogue’s Fashion Night Out. Fashion Night Out in Paris

was a glamorous celebration of designers, clothes, and Fashion Week. The event took over

the streets and stores were flooded with elegantly dressed shoppers.���

Through my product development instructors, the creators and designers of Les Garcons, I

was able to attend German fashion trade show, Texworld, and Parisian fashion Trade show, Premiere Vision. My instructors are on the

creative board at Texworld, and were able to show me a behind the scenes look at the trade show as well. I attended Premiere Vision as a

buying assistant for Les Garcons, and was able to order sample fabric for their Spring 2013 line. In addition to Texworld and Premiere

Vision, I also attended accessories trade show, Paris Sur Mode for my trend forecasting

course.���

Texworld

Premiere Vision

Paris Sur Mode

While in France, I found that my proximity to several new and exciting countries was weighing on

me. I found myself instantly overcome with the need to travel and explore. I wanted to uncover

different cultures and experience fashion in different countries. I didn’t know it then, but by the

time my semester abroad was over, I would have traveled to seven European countries, Morocco, 13 cities, and the Sahara Desert. I was able to visit the

three main fashion capitals in Europe: Paris, London and Milan, and was fortunate to have called the most prevalent of the three my home for a short while. The learning experiences and self discovery I gained while traveling was so much more valuable

than I could ever have anticipated.���

Barcelona, Spain

Amsterdam, Holland���

Mykonos, Greece

Paris, France

Edinburgh, Scotland Marrakesh, Morocco

The  Sahrah  Desert   London, England

Venice, Italy Milan, Italy

Rome, Italy

I think that there is something to be said for the experiences gained through traveling. I think some of the skills I

learned such as: adaptability, independence, problem-solving and

cultural knowledge are very applicable in a work environment. In addition, careers

in the fashion industry often require travel, and whether it is domestic or

international, I know I would not only be able to handle it, but excited to do it.���

Through this experience of studying abroad I have not only gained

invaluable experiences and knowledge, but I also gained an internship with

Merhcanfeeling, a merchandising company in Paris. I will be moving back

in the fall of 2013 for yet another journey overseas. ���

“For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s

sake. The great affair is to move.” – Robert Louis Stevenson