Bénédicte Etienne – URI Exchange

“Mod’Spé Paris is a fashion merchandising school situated in the center of Paris, France. If you are more interested in the merchandising side of fashion than the design side and you are studying French, this could be an excellent opportunity for you to experience something different but very rewarding.
I am currently finishing my studies at Mod’Spé Paris after having spent two semesters at URI. I can say that being able to go to a different country and learning from a different point of view has given me an obvious advantage for my future. A company always appreciates someone with an open mind and qualities or knowledge that will differentiate them from the others. Studying abroad will definitely give you that little something extra that will make the difference when you’re applying for a job.
Mod’Spé Paris’ biggest asset in my opinion is that the professors are all professionals at the same time. They all work in the textiles or fashion industry so that they can give real life examples in their classes. You will learn about supply chain management, merchandise buying, textiles, visual merchandising, fashion history, marketing, sourcing, quality control…
Not only will you be able to learn so many different things about the fashion industry, you will get to do that while being in Paris, the capital of fashion. “

Lucie Taleb Ragueh – URI Exchange

“I have spent my second third-year semester in the University of Rhode Island. It was definitely a wonderful experience that I really wish I could do again.
The education system in the USA is very different from ours. Many homework assignments and reports are required to be done every week for each class. It involves a high level of concentration from the student and a particular organization in their work. Besides, it permits to have a constant follow-up and a true understanding of the coursework. In this University, my major was « Fashion, Design and Merchandising ». I had four main classes: Apparel Production, Apparel I, Fashion Retailing, Culture, Dress and Appearance. Each one had been very beneficial to my future career. The Apparel I class allowed me to make, to my own size, a skirt, a shirt and pants with fabrics that I wanted.

lucie_2

Being fully immersed in American culture is the best way to understand and share the American people way of life, their values while being able to improve English in every field. I feel lucky because I lived in the campus of the university. It permits me to be in a constant connection with this culture. I met quite a few people that were exceptionally talented in their field of study. I also participated in many daily activities organized by American and international students. In this kind of university, you will never get bored! And if I had to say something else about this experience, it would be the big open-minded heart of each American (students and teachers) and they will go further in terms of initiative and surpassing themselves.”