FIT President Joyce F. Brown and a delegation of FIT administrators traveled to South Korea in late October to celebrate the opening of a new FIT campus at SUNY Korea in Songdo. They joined ChoonHo Kim, president of SUNY Korea, as well as Samuel L. Stanley, Jr., MD, president of Stony Brook University (the first SUNY school to offer programs in Korea, in 2012) for a gala reception, a fashion show, philharmonic and K-pop performances, and alumni events, among other activities.
The events were a celebration of this year’s launch of programs in FIT’s third non-U.S. location, as well as recognition of Korea as a growing global fashion center.
FIT is now offering two hallmark programs in South Korea. Students can earn the Associate in Applied Science Degree in Fashion Design or Fashion Business Management, two signature curricula of the college from FIT at SUNY Korea in Incheon. Taught by FIT faculty, the programs will prepare students for success in fashion and are synonymous with the college’s historical commitment to providing industry-ready professionals. Graduates can go on to apply to FIT’s bachelor’s degree programs in New York City; Fashion Design students can also apply to FIT’s design program in Milan, Italy.
“SUNY Korea is FIT’s third location abroad (in addition to campuses in Florence and Milan, Italy), and it opens a new exciting chapter for the college,” said Dr. Brown. “We know that the vibrant Incheon Global Campus attracts students from all over Asia, and we also know that, in each of the last 20 years, South Korea has sent FIT more students than any other country in the world. We would not be in Korea today if it were not for the interest and enthusiasm our students have demonstrated, so in this brand-new venture, we are partners with them.”
The state-of-the-art Incheon Global Campus is located in the “smart city” of Songdo, near Seoul. Designed and created with innovative urban technology throughout, computer technology is literally built into the infrastructure of the buildings and the streets. Songdo is becoming Northeast Asia’s epicenter for diverse international businesses and a hub for international trade, all while offering an eco-friendly urban living experience.
With so many South Korean students having been attracted to FIT’s New York City campus, an extensive network of nearly 2,000 FIT alumni live and work in Korea today. Internship opportunities, including involvement in Seoul Fashion Week, will offer hands-on exposure and insight into the Asian fashion industry.
