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Vera LeCount is a fourth year Fashion Merchandising student at ����ԭ��. She recently studied abroad in Hong Kong through the KSU School of Fashion program at Hong Kong Polytechnic University and then later interned in Tokyo, Japan as a KSU Freeman Fellow.

Studying Abroad in Hong Kong

Vera knew she wanted to study abroad somewhere in Asia, but wasn’t quite sure where. What pushed her to apply to study at Hong Kong Polytechnic University was a close friend of hers also wanting to apply to the program. They decided to study abroad together in Hong Kong, making the experience all the more meaningful.

Vera took a lot of different classes while in Hong Kong, including a class focusing on fashion supply chains and another on supply chain and trend forecasting. Her favorite class she took at Hong Kong Polytechnic University was a class on no-sew technology, with a focus on utilizing different glues and adhesives. This included learning how to put together apparels with adhesive glues and resin, as well as learning how to put together intimate apparels. 

Learn more about the Hong Kong Polytechnic University program for KSU School of Fashion students. 

Vera’s Hong Kong Experience

Vera said that while she loved studying in Hong Kong, her favorite part of the experience was the people she met. Everyone she met made her feel welcomed and gave her new perspectives on life. One of her favorite moments was when she got to celebrate her birthday in Hong Kong with some of her friends and was taken on a personal tour of some of the lesser known parts of the city by a friend's mom, who was a Hong Kong native. She got to eat at old local restaurants, including one of the oldest dim sum restaurants in the region. Vera’s favorite food she tried was roasted duck and noodles, which she recommends others to try, as it is very different from chicken.

She also loved exploring the different islands around the area, and making day trips out of it. Her and her friend would pick a location and just go for it. She loved the shopping and fashion there and considered the people very stylish. She also got to visit multiple temples and shrines, as well as visiting the Big Buddha, a popular tourist attraction. She loved going on adventures and having no expectations for what they would find. Vera still talks to many of the people she met in Hong Kong today.

Interning in Tokyo, Japan

After studying in Hong Kong, Vera interned with the company Stardisk Studios in Tokyo, Japan through the ISA/WorldStrides internship program as a ����ԭ�� Freeman Fellow. She interned as a marketing and outreach coordinator, and said she was given responsibilities and roles like a normal staff member. Her role was hybrid, meaning she would work in the office on site sometimes, and at other times she would work remotely. When working remotely, Vera enjoyed doing her work at a local coffee shop.

She attended meetings with the CEO, COO, and CFO. Part of her job was reaching out to prospective clients or collaborators with templates to see if they would want to work with their public relations firm or collaborate in any way. During her internship, Vera got to attend brand parties, brand collaboration events, collection exhibitions, buying events, fashion shows, cocktail parties, and meet designers and brands. While Vera didn’t deal much with nervousness, she said she sometimes had to push through the imposter syndrome and be confident regardless. By being confident, and blending in with the culture around her, she found success in her internship.

Learn more about funding opportunities for internships abroad through the KSU Freeman Fellows Internship in Asia program.

Vera’s Experience in Tokyo, Japan

Outside of her internship, Vera says her favorite thing about interning in Tokyo, Japan was the people. She believed that the people anywhere you go is what makes it special. Many of the people she met in Tokyo she considered amazing and supportive. She is grateful to have made many friends through her experiences that she is still in touch with.

One of her favorite memories from interning in Tokyo, is when she took a trip to Odaiba Park alone and journaled on the beach. She described how peaceful it was and how it was the happiest she had felt in a while. Overall, it is hard for her to pick a favorite experience from her time studying and interning abroad.

Food in Tokyo, Japan

While it was hard for Vera to pick a favorite food from Tokyo, as she loved trying the cuisine, she decided to go with kakigori - a fluffy shaved ice dessert, topped with different flavors with milk mixed in. She would often get it at company meetings at a cafe, and when she went on a date to the summer festival.

How Vera’s Internship Abroad Impacted Her Education at ����ԭ��

Vera feels like her internship in Tokyo influenced her education at ����ԭ�� very positively. She said it taught her a lot about the fashion industry and herself. It also taught her how to connect with other people, and focus on her interpersonal skills more. Because of her internship, she feels she has come back with a greater understanding of her industry and education, as well as what she wants to do with her life. She got to learn about how the company she interned at functions, the inner workings of the fashion industry, and how people in the industry interact. She also got to see how collaborative the fashion industry is and said it takes every part working together to make the fashion industry, like a beautiful mosaic.

Support for Studying and Interning Abroad

Vera said she received a lot of support from ����ԭ��’s Office of Global Education throughout her study and internship abroad experiences, especially from her education abroad advisors, Molly Papay and Margaret Hosack. She believes she would not have been able to do it without their guidance and willingness to answer any questions she had. Vera sees the advice Molly gave her as invaluable and having an incredible impact on her life.

Advice for Future Study Abroad Students and Interns

Vera’s advice for future study abroad students and interns is to do a lot of research.

“It’s your job to be respectful.”

Vera believes that by doing research and working to assimilate with the culture students decide to study in, it helps them show respect to the people they go to study and intern with abroad. Students should try to understand the culture before they study or intern abroad, and not treat the experience like a vacation, but as something important.

“Put yourself out there, be brave, be confident.”

Vera said that confidence, bravery and resilience are also important. That being able to figure things out on your own helps a lot, especially if you are in an unfamiliar place. While Vera did not experience homesickness herself, she said in those moments when you're having a hard time, or you miss your family, you should stick with it and try to distract yourself. Look to other people, and don’t hide away.

To anyone thinking of studying or interning abroad, Vera suggested to just go for it. She said there are a lot of great opportunities at ����ԭ��, and that students should seek those out for new experiences.

Interested in studying abroad at Hong Kong Polytechnic University or completing an internship abroad as a ����ԭ�� Freeman Fellow in Asia? Check out the Office of Global Education website for more information.