She has always been interested in fashion and started to study the field at the Bachelor’s level in her home country of Germany before she came to pursue her Master’s degree in Borås.

The internship at DAIHATSY is within CMF Design, which stands for colour, material, finishes and Hannah’s mission will be to design the CMF data for cars. She will start her six-month internship in autumn and like with all great adventures, a little nervousness is in order.

How did you get the internship?

– A posting about the internship was sent to our university email. It was actually intended for the textile designers, but I thought the posting sounded very exciting. I asked the company if I could apply and was allowed to send them my portfolio, so that’s how I slipped into the application process.

I did not hesitate for a second! It was clear to me that this is a unique opportunity, and I must take advantage of it.

How did you react when you found out you got accepted?

– I got totally mixed feelings. It was a mix of "Wow, I really got the internship, I’m going to Japan" with a feeling of respect. I was immediately aware that I would have to prepare myself very well, both mentally and organisationally. I also felt a bit scared as I will be incredibly far away from family and friends, alone in a country where I do not speak the language and where the culture is completely different from what we have in Europe. I am most nervous about communication as there will be barriers to overcome. But I did not think for a second about whether I wanted to do it or not. It was clear to me that this opportunity is unique, and that I must take advantage of it.

What are your hopes for your internship?

– I hope that I will do an excellent job, learn about the Japanese working world, and that it will be a good work environment. I also hope that I can gain a lot of learning to bring with me to future jobs.

What do you dream about working with in the future?

– That is an interesting question because I always thought I would work in fashion in the future. Now I have taken a different path, which I had not planned. So, we will see how I like the textile design field.

Why did you choose to go to Borås and Sweden for your studies?

– I wanted to go abroad to grow and practice my English. Scandinavia had always appealed to me, so I limited my research to the Scandinavian region and came across Borås.

What is it like to study here in Borås?

– The city is cute, not that big, but there are great opportunities to relax in nature and by lakes. The advantage of a small town is that everything is within walking distance. If you want to get away from the university, there are nice cafés where you can meet for a coffee. Oh, and do not forget the many secondhand shops where you can buy materials for your studies as well as for your own apartment.

Why should people study at the Swedish School of Textiles?

– Here there are many well-equipped labs and great technicians who will help you in your projects. The Swedish School of Textiles is modern, and it is fun to spend time in and do your work in the university buildings. A big plus is that all students have their own big workspace during their entire study time where you can completely spread out and also have storage space for your materials and prototypes.

Do you have any tips to people who are thinking about applying to the same programme as you?

– You should just give it a try. When I applied, I went into the application process with no expectations and just gave it a try. I made an effort in my preparations, worked hard, and showed ambition. You should not be shy or have any self-doubt!

Read more about Master Programme in Textile and Fashion Design, Specialisation in Fashion Design

Text and photo: Sara Lundgren

Published 2023-06-21