Scholar Kat Charrier '26 Jets Off to Australia With Her Enrichment Money
North Carolina State University (NC State) fashion and textile management student Kat Charrier recently embarked on an enriching journey to Melbourne, Australia, thanks to the Centennial Scholarship Program.
Originally from Raleigh, Charrier is a member of the class of 2026 with a concentration in fashion development and product management. During her time in Australia, she studied fashion and textiles at the prestigious Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT).
Charrier's enrichment experience was not limited to the classroom. She travelled extensively throughout Oceania, visiting the Great Ocean Road, surfing at Phillips Island, feeding kangaroos, and even dangling out of a scenic railway. She also drove an RV around the entire island of Tasmania, taking in over seven national parks.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Charrier made the most of her time in Melbourne, building international connections, exploring the local art scene, and gaining a broader perspective on the textile industry. She shopped for fabric in Melbourne and Sydney, and even visited pop-up shops by neighbourhood artists.
Charrier was particularly grateful for the opportunity to connect with classmates from diverse cultures and countries. She lived with roommates from the US, Australia, Egypt, Malaysia, and China, which provided an exciting and educational experience.
The Centennial Scholarship Program, made possible through the North Carolina Textile Foundation, provided Charrier with additional $7,500 in enrichment funding. She considers this scholarship as a significant factor in her personal and professional growth, making her more confident, knowledgeable, and culturally aware.
Unfortunately, the donor behind the Centennial Scholarship Program is not publicly stated. The North Carolina Textile Foundation and Wilson College of Textiles at NC State University do not explicitly identify the individual or entity responsible for the scholarship program. Further research may be required to uncover the details of the scholarship's origins.
Despite this, Charrier is grateful for the opportunity to attend NC State and focus on her education without needing multiple jobs. She is excited about the future and the opportunities that lie ahead as she continues her studies in fashion and textiles.
- Kat Charrier, a North Carolina State University (NC State) student with a focus on fashion development and product management, is a member of the class of 2026.
- Recently, Charrier traveled to Melbourne, Australia, as part of the Centennial Scholarship Program, where she studied fashion and textiles at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT).
- Beyond the classroom, Charrier embarked on a series of travels across Oceania, visiting popular tourist spots and national parks.
- Charrier immersed herself in the local lifestyle, visiting art galleries, shopping for fabric in Melbourne and Sydney, and engaging with artists in pop-up shops.
- The international environment in Melbourne allowed Charrier to connect with classmates from diverse cultures, providing an educational and enriching experience.
- The Centennial Scholarship Program, funded by the North Carolina Textile Foundation, awarded Charrier an additional $7,500 for enrichment activities.
- Despite the scholarship's donor remaining unidentified, Charrier expresses gratitude for the financial support, crediting it as a significant factor in her personal and professional development.
- As she continues her education in fashion and textiles, Charrier looks forward to the future possibilities within her field, endorsed by the education-and-self-development, online-education, and business skills she has gathered at NC State and on her journey in Melbourne.
