Keep Climbing

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Now that Iโ€™ve settled in a little bit, let me give you some more background about myself and the programs Iโ€™m taking here in Hong Kong. Firstly, I want to thank all of the organizations that have made this incredible experience possible, Fund For Education Abroad, Gilman International Scholarship Program, and the Point Foundation. Without their support, this journey wouldn’t be possible.        *I’d like to take a quick detour for a second, to speak directly to anyone who is in community college. The Point Foundation Community College Scholarship program is an amazing opportunity for any LGBTQ+ folks who are heading into the last year of their AA/AAS degree programs.  Check it out, applications are due May 3.

OK, now back to our regularly scheduled program… At home in NYC, I am doing a double-major –  studying Production Management in Fashion & Related Industries and Technical Design. I know youโ€™re probably asking, โ€œWhat in the world is that?โ€ Well, Production Management is overseeing the processes of supply chain management.

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Basically how to get a product (garment, car, couch, etc.) made. What will it look like and how will it be put together. What will it be made of, where will those supplies come from, who is going to make it, how do you get it from where it is made to where it is going to be sold? And most importantly, when do all of these things need to happen so that your product arrives in the right location at the right time?

Technical Design is the skill to take the 3-D specifications of an item (again, garment, car, couch, etc.) and render that into a 2-D digital file that can be read by the manufacturer in order to recreate the final design of the desired product.

One class that Iโ€™m really excited about this semester is Smart Textiles for Wearable Electronics. Weโ€™re going to be looking at how to create textiles that can conduct various forms of electrical currents. My inner nerd is giddy!

This past weekend a group of my classmates went to Victoria Peak. *sidebar, the subway trains here are pristine. ESPECIALLY compared to NYC!

Billed as the highest point on Hong Kong Island, the area was certainly a sight to behold. To ascend, you can either walk the scenic trail (which is about 2.25 miles) or you can take the Peak Tram, a 120-year-old funicular (rope pully) railway that has stunning views. We opted for the Tram up and trail down.

 

Work smarter, not harder!

The views on the ascent are spectacular and once you exit the tram, you can venture inside the Peak Galleria mall with multiple shops and restaurants and a couple of balconies for pictures.

 

 

              You can also choose to climb further up the trail to additional vantage points.

We continued to climb for about 35 minutes and ended at this plateau.

It was magnificent (to say the least). A journey that I wonโ€™t soon forget.

Vanessa Watson

*Rainbow Scholarship <i>Hello in your host country language</i>: ไฝ ๅฅฝ (Nว hวŽo) <i>University</i>: Fashion Institute of Technology <i>Expected graduation year</i>: 2019 <i>Destination</i>: France / Hong Kong, China <i>Program Provider</i>: Fashion Institute of Technology <i>Major / Minor</i>: Production Management in Fashion & Related Industries / Technical Design <i>Language of Study</i>: Mandarin <i>Demographic background</i>: African-American, LGBTQ <i>Future career aspirations</i>: Entrepreneur and Fashion Revolutionary <i>Top 3 goals for study abroad</i>: Cultural exchange; Garment production and construction techniques; Technology and supply chain management advancements