Lauren Hand is a third-year Fashion Merchandising student at Kent State who is currently studying abroad in Paris, France through the International Fashion Academy program.
Studying Abroad in Paris, France
Lauren has always wanted to study abroad in Paris and had been learning French all throughout high school. When she found the program to study abroad at the International Fashion Academy in Paris, she thought it was the perfect fit for her.
Lauren is currently taking three main classes, including one focused on luxury fashion where she gets to learn about brand auditing. Her other classes focus on topics such as sustainability in the fashion industry, as well as a merchandising and branding class. Currently her luxury fashion class is focusing on brand positioning and repositioning in class. Lauren is also taking a Parisian experiences class where she gets to go on field trips all over Paris and do different activities related to the culture. So far, she has had the opportunity to visit the Dior Galleries, Premiere Vision, and recently shopped at a fabric district near Montmartre, a famous neighborhood in Paris.
Lauren had a lot of great things to say about her time studying abroad in Paris so far. She’s gotten to do a good amount of sightseeing and spent a weekend in Dublin, Ireland. While she has dealt with some homesickness, she is excited for her parents to visit her in Paris soon.
Learn more about the International Fashion Academy program.
Interning at Paris Fashion Week
Lauren recently interned with Max Alexander at Paris Fashion Week. Max Alexander is a ten-year-old fashion designer from California who gained viral success from showcasing his designs on an Instagram account run by his mother. Lauren reached out to Max’s family about Paris Fashion Week and sent them her resume. After getting accepted as an intern, she got to work at Paris Fashion Week with the family. Her responsibilities included steaming garments, model fittings, and doing alterations. Lauren was also in the press pit during the day of Max Alexander’s first fashion show, livestreaming the event.
The day after the show, Lauren got to join Max’s team in doing a photoshoot of all the garments around Paris. She got close with the team, which consisted of his family and their close friends. She enjoyed making all the new connections and found the whole experience unforgettable.
The Impact of Studying Abroad in Paris
Studying abroad in Paris has been Lauren’s first time outside of the U.S. She appreciates that she’s had to get acclimated to practicing her French more. She has also really opened her eyes to the world of luxury fashion because it is so prominent in Paris and what she is learning at the International Fashion Academy. Before studying abroad Lauren did not focus on luxury fashion as much as compared to now.
Lauren has found the experience of studying at the International Fashion Academy in Paris immersive. She has gotten to meet many new people from all over the world like Ireland and Australia. Lauren’s experiences in Paris have given her a different appreciation for the fashion industry.
Lauren’s Favorite Parts About Studying Abroad in Paris
When asked what her favorite part of studying at the International Fashion Academy in Paris has been so far, Lauren did not hesitate to say it was Paris Fashion Week. She found the experience was a big highlight of her time. Overall, she has also enjoyed being able to slow down a bit, since Parisians take their work-life balance seriously. She does most of her class work during class time and has the evenings and weekends to relax and explore the city and surrounding areas. Paris is separated into twenty administrative districts called arrondissements, and Lauren has already been to most, if not all, of them. Her favorites have been Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge that runs across the Seine, and Montmartre with the fabric district. She also enjoys seeing the different churches throughout Paris, made by all different artists.
Recommendations for Students Studying Abroad in Paris
While Lauren recommends students in Paris visit the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, she also recommends students should walk around neighborhoods and try to experience Paris like a Parisian. She urges students to go to local bakeries and local restaurants where they may not speak a lot of English. She has found those have been some of the best places in Paris.
For food, she recommends getting croissants from a local bakery. One she has enjoyed is called Pain Suisse, which translates to “Swiss Bread” it is a popular French breakfast pastry: consisting of laminated brioche or croissant dough, filled with vanilla pastry cream and often baked until golden brown. She also recommends students to try any pasta in Paris.
General Advice for Study Abroad Students
“I think being able to be in a different country has really helped me to grow as a person and as a student, and has helped me to understand a lot more of the world and of the fashion industry.”
Lauren said that if students are thinking of studying abroad they should go for it. Even though she has only been abroad for two months she has gained more independence and confidence in traveling and being in situations where not everyone around her may speak a language she knows. She said students have to go into it knowing what they want and try to make sure they're getting that out of the experience.
Want to have an experience like Lauren’s? Visit the Office of Global Education’s website for more information on the International Fashion Academy in Paris, France.