Scholarship students taking bite out of the Big Apple
TWO students are the first to take a bite out of the Big Apple after winning scholarships to study in New York.
Hanna Burns and Rebecca Brown are interning at Glasgow Caledonian University’s (GCU) Manhattan campus, which was last month awarded a provisional charter by New York State Education Department (NYSED).
The pair won funding from The Foundation’s Saltire Scholars Internship Programme.
The programme, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, gives Scotland’s most talented students unique opportunities to work with the world’s leading global and entrepreneurial i nstitutions and companies.
Rebecca, from Knightswood, and Hanna, from Meadowbank in Edinburgh, are studying BA International Fashion Branding at GCU and are interning as research assistants at GCNYC’s Fair Fashion Center, a research centre exploring sustainability in the global industry.
Rebecca said: “I have been able to blend my twin passions, fashion and combating climate change, in this incredible opportunity to intern at The Fair Fashion Center.
“It will hone my research skills for my final year of studies and give me so much industry experience before I enter the competitive graduate job market next year and, of course, it’s a dream come true to be living and working in a fabulous city that’s at the heart of fashion.”
Hanna added that she was “thrilled” and said: “Gaining experience in a real, dynamic working environment, learning from industry experts, and helping prove the business case for sustainability is an incredibly exciting prospect that I’m so proud to be part of. It builds on everything I have learned on my programme and will be invaluable in helping me secure a job in a competitive industry.
“Both Rebecca and I are very grateful to the Saltire Foundation.”
The university had its satellite base in Manhattan opened in 2014 by then first minister Alex Salmond.
GCU, which also operates in Oman, Bangladesh and London, spent £2.5m refurbishing the building and is tied into a 15-year lease.
The award for a provisional char- ter is expected to become a full charter after five years has elapsed, subject to a review by the New York authorities.
Cara Smyth, GCNYC Vice President, said: “We are delighted to welcome Hanna and Rebecca to the team this summer.
“Working in the heart of downtown Manhattan, they can experience first-hand the global metropolis that is New York City – immersing themselves in diverse social and cultural experiences on a daily basis.
“Moreover, they have the unique opportunity to learn and work alongside our team in the areas of fair fashion and profitable sustainability at GCNYC, the first foreign accredited university in New York.”