The Ball State Fashion Program

While being here at Ball State and a student under the Fashion Program, there are many different things that gets you started on a successful path to a chosen career. Both apparel design and fashion merchandising majors are offered and under both of programs, there are numerous teachers that care and help their students out as much as possible. Because of the smaller class sizes within our program, there becomes a more personal relationship that grows between the students and professors. because of this interpersonal relationship, students feel as if their teachers are more approachable and easier to talk to, which is always a plus when it comes to dealing with college professors. All of our fashion teachers are very knowledgeable when it comes to the subject they are teaching; also a plus because I am sure that we have all had that one professor who did not know one thing about the subject they were attempting to teach their class.

Besides for the teachers, all of the classes offered gives the students a first hand experiences in many subjects. Whether I am taking promotions, flat pattern, or visual merchandising, there are opportunities in each class to put the knowledge gained into a hands-on experience that gives students a greater idea of what they are actually learning. I don't know about my other classmates, but for myself, I am a visual learner and cannot sit and teach myself things out of a book. By being able to work on things hands-on, I am able to gain better knowledge of the topics being studied.

Besides for amazing teachers and classes, the fashion program also has a variety of field study programs that are offered. Each year a New York, Chicago or London trip is organized and it gives the students to experience fashion in a few of the world's major fashion hot spots. Unfortunately, I have not been able to attend any of these trips so far, so I cannot give a firsthand review of what these trips are like, but i think it would be amazing to attend one of these fabulous opportunities and experience fashion in a fashion capital of the world.