Fashion Week Internships - Paris Internship Program

So unlucky that I paid so much money for 2 internships in Paris. The process was very lengthy. FWI could've been more helpful in getting internship agreement (requested for visa). It took them 3 months to deliver a simply documents, including one unprofessionally filled document, which got rejected by embassy. FWI wasn't helpful when correcting the document. Too many excuses for delaying the process. Start date of internship was postponed 3 weeks. I had to bare all cost (flight change, accommodation, flying to another city 2 times for visa--could've been just 1 time if the internship agreement was correctly written. etc)

Below is my true experience in Paris fashion company doing marketing role.

The first Paris company I went to made me feel so depressed during my time there. That's why I left early.

The owner of this small company didn't seem to care about who I am as an intern. I didn't feel respected, as well as facing racial discrimination from the owner's mum (who also worked there). The owner seemed to have issue with FWI during their collaboration before, could that be the reason why she didn't give a care to any intern referred by FWI.

Advice to FWI: The whole internship experience also includes how it feels to work in that company. It's worth getting offer from high quality company, and not just dumping us to any random place where they don't care. Word of mouth is powerful.

Advice to students / public who may consider paying for their service: Stay rational and don't get influenced by all glamorous comments and photos in FWI website. Have your own judgement. One of the best way for company to respect your value is to apply for the job directly, not through an easy path. Even if you decide to pay for their service, research the company well 360 degree, ask as many question as you can to know if the company culture is what you're comfortable with.

Making the decision to spend spring in Paris has been one of the decisions I have ever made. Travelling so far out of my comfort zone to experience life as a Parisian, the whole experience was everything that I hoped for and more. The placement was stimulating, the city enchanting, and I was lucky enough to meet some really great people, which made the trip so much more fun. I would go back in a heartbeat, and highly recommend spending a month, two months, or even a semester in Paris if you get the chance!

Side note - There were lots of demonstrations most weekends that all students should be aware of, as you can easily get caught up in if you are not careful. Demonstration locations are normally posted online, and for French-speakers local radio explains where they are due to be most mornings to help you plan.

Making the decision to go to Paris was a highly personal one - I wanted to be immersed in the birthplace of fashion and discover an environment that my school could not offer me - interacting with designers, and artists.

The program simply exceeded my expectations, delivering an open door experience to European fashion and culture.

Overall, if you are an aspiring designer, or fashion junkie, looking for an environment where you will have meet new people, experience a new culture, and gain pretty invaluable fashion knowledge, you should definitely consider this program.

Summer in Paris.
What can I say.....The City of Light - La Ville Lumière.
Simply a magnifique experience.

I've dreamed of going to Paris since as far back as I can remember, and my summer there absolutely blew away my expectations. My main goal in Paris was to really immerse myself in the culture and the people, and I was able to do this everyday. I stayed with a French host family, and took some French classes that really allowed me to show my hosts how grateful I was to be there. I learned about the intricacies of French culture, business and city life, and I took up the challenge of the internship from the first day. The staff were incredible. They were so friendly and truly wanted me to have a great experience, supporting me during the internship, and also socially. I highly recommend this program for those wanting to work and live in Paris, or those wanting to know what working in the fashion industry in Paris is really like! Au revoir Paris.