Student Kat Charrier '26 Journeys Down Under Utilizing Scholarship Enrichment Money
Kat Charrier, a fashion and textile management student with a concentration in fashion development and product management, class of 2026, has had an extraordinary experience at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in Melbourne, Australia, thanks to the Centennial Scholarship.
Charrier's journey began at RMIT, where she found herself thriving in her classes. The professors' genuine care and deep passion for teaching made all the difference, she said. This nurturing environment allowed Charrier to delve deeper into her studies, particularly in the textile industry.
During her enrichment experience, Charrier visited local businesses, gaining valuable insights into their production processes. She discovered a company using Jacquard weaving machines to produce custom jackets and learned about the benefits of community-centered business models from a local leather shop owner.
Charrier's travels in Australia were equally enriching. She visited the Great Ocean Road, surfed at Phillips Island, fed kangaroos, saw wild koalas, dangled out of a scenic railway, drove an RV around the entire island of Tasmania, visited over seven national parks, and had the best banh mi sandwich of her life. She also ventured to New Zealand, the Great Barrier Reef, and Uluru Mountain in the Australian Outback.
The Centennial Scholarship, made possible through the North Carolina Textile Foundation, provided Charrier with up to $22,000 in scholarship funding each year, along with an additional $7,500 in enrichment funding. This financial support allowed Charrier to afford attending NC State and live with people from the United States, Australia, Egypt, Malaysia, and China during her enrichment experience.
While the specific donor behind the North Carolina Textile Foundation's Centennial Scholarship Program is not explicitly named, it is known that Murata of America Centennial Scholarship supports student Sania Musti. However, it is unclear whether Murata of America is the primary donor or if there are other donors involved. The only individual donor identified by name is "Mr. Butts," who directly contributed to Sania Musti's enrichment fund.
Charrier's experience at RMIT has been life-changing. Not only has she gained academic knowledge, but she has also developed connections with professors and fellow students that have opened her eyes to a new world within her education and personal life. One of her most memorable experiences was an authentic Chinese dinner with one of her professors.
In conclusion, the Centennial Scholarship has provided Kat Charrier with a unique opportunity to explore her passion for fashion and textiles, immerse herself in diverse cultures, and build a strong foundation for her future career.
- Kat Charrier, an undergraduate student majoring in business with a focus on fashion and textile management, is especially interested in education and self-development, specifically in the realm of fashion development and product management.
- Charrier is a student at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in Melbourne, Australia, and she is part of the class of 2026.
- During her time at RMIT, Charrier has found herself flourishing in her classes, thanks to the dedicated and passionate professors who have been instrumental in her learning journey.
- In addition to her academic pursuits, Charrier has engaged in various research projects and has visited local businesses to gain insights into the production processes of the textile industry.
- One of her most significant discoveries was a company that uses Jacquard weaving machines to create custom jackets, adding another layer of knowledge to her fashion education.
- Charrier's adventure-travel experiences have also been invaluable, as she visited numerous locations within Australia and beyond, such as the Great Ocean Road, the Great Barrier Reef, and Uluru Mountain in the Australian Outback.
- The Centennial Scholarship, funded by the North Carolina Textile Foundation, has been pivotal in enabling Charrier's enriching educational journey, providing her with a total of $22,000 in scholarship funding per year, along with $7,500 for enrichment activities.
- With the Centennial Scholarship, Charrier has had the opportunity to travel, learning about different cultures and expanding her personal horizons.
- Charrier's experiences at RMIT have not only deepened her education in fashion and textiles but have also enriched her lifestyle, broadening her perspective and opening doors for lifelong learning.
- As Charrier prepares to graduate and enter the job market in the fashion and textile industry, she is grateful for the opportunities and experiences she has gained through the Centennial Scholarship and her time at RMIT, aspiring to apply the knowledge and connections she has made to weave a successful career in fashion management, culture, and travel.
