From Vancouver to Perugia: JCI Launches Student Exchange Program with Istituto Italiano Design
This fall, three JCI students or recent graduates will board a plane to Italy—not for vacation, but for a creative, career-shaping exchange that blends fashion, culture, and collaboration.
We’re excited to announce our new partnership with Istituto Italiano Design (IID) in Perugia, Italy. As part of this exchange, JCI will select two fashion students or grads and one hair and makeup student or grad to attend a week-long global learning experience in September 2025, funded by the following organizations:
Applications are officially open now and will close in 15 days.
Why Global Exchanges Matter
Fashion, beauty, and design are global languages. Participating in international experiences like this one isn’t just about travel—it’s about broadening your creative lens, forming cross-cultural connections, and learning how to represent your work (and your alma mater) on a global stage.
At JCI, we believe that real-world exposure builds confidence, sharpens your perspective, and makes you a stronger creative. Whether it’s learning how to collaborate with a new team, navigating another country, or seeing how fashion functions outside North America, this exchange is an unforgettable way to grow personally and professionally.
About the Opportunity
The selected participants will:
Attend design and creativity-focused classes at IID’s Perugia campus
Connect with students and faculty from Italy and abroad
Collaborate on a live fashion show in Fabriano, Italy, presenting student-led design and style
Receive funding for travel and accommodation
Represent JCI as global ambassadors of creativity and craft
The fashion design participant may also have the opportunity to show a collection during fashion week in Milan or Paris—a rare opportunity for international runway exposure.
Who Should Apply
We’re looking for current JCI students or recent graduates who are:
Studying or working in Fashion Design, Fashion Business, or Makeup & Hair
Passionate about their craft and open to new perspectives
Ready to travel, collaborate, and represent JCI abroad with professionalism and creativity
Eager to grow—not just as artists, but as global citizens
How to Apply
The application deadline is June 13th at 11:59 PST.
Selected applicants will be announced by the end of June.
Final Thoughts
In a world where borders are shrinking and ideas move fast, global experiences like this are more than a resume boost—they’re a mindset shift. They teach you how to adapt, how to listen, how to lead—and how to bring your creative voice into spaces that don’t look like home.
We can’t wait to see which of you take this next step—and what you’ll do with it.