A Transformative Study Abroad Experience: Lupe Martinez-Hilario's Journey
London-based Centennial Scholar Lupe Martinez-Hilario '26 crossed off items on her bucket list through the use of her enrichment funds while studying abroad.
Lupe Martinez-Hilario, a student from the class of 2026, is currently studying Fashion and Textile Design with a concentration in Fashion Design at North Carolina State University's Wilson College of Textiles. Martinez-Hilario is one of the fortunate recipients of the Centennial Scholarship, a programme that has played a pivotal role in her academic and personal development.
As a Centennial Scholar, Martinez-Hilario received up to $22,000 in scholarship funding each year for four years, which covered her tuition and educational fees, allowing her to focus solely on her studies without the burden of multiple part-time jobs. In addition to this, she was granted up to $7,500 in enrichment funding, which she used to embark on a life-changing study abroad experience in London.
During her three-month stay in London, Martinez-Hilario honed her fashion design skills, gained a newfound sense of clarity about her aspirations to become a fashion designer, and formed closer relationships with her Wilson College of Textiles classmates. The enrichment funding enabled her to participate in leadership programs, internships, and explore various career opportunities, enhancing her resume and career prospects.
Martinez-Hilario's time in London was not just a fulfilling academic experience, but it was also a transformative moment in her life. She believes that the study abroad opportunity, made possible by the Centennial Scholarship, was life-changing. Her experience in London expanded her idea of what's possible, making her more ambitious and focused on the impact she wants to have through fashion.
The sites she visited during her time in London served as a source of inspiration, pushing her to dream bigger and aim higher. Martinez-Hilario has decided to pursue a master's degree to further expand on her entrepreneurship class, and she is determined to make a significant impact in the fashion industry.
In conclusion, the Centennial Scholarship, made possible through the North Carolina Textile Foundation, is more than just a financial aid programme. It is a comprehensive initiative that empowers students like Martinez-Hilario to excel academically while gaining the practical experience and global perspective needed for long-term career success in the textile and fashion industries. The dual approach of covering significant educational costs and providing enrichment funds for transformative experiences outside the classroom has proven to be a powerful tool for student growth and development.
- Lupe Martinez-Hilario is an undergraduate student, studying Fashion and Textile Design at North Carolina State University's Wilson College of Textiles.
- The Centennial Scholarship, a crucial part of Martinez-Hilario's education, has significantly impacted her academic and personal growth.
- As a Centennial Scholar, Martinez-Hilario's tuition and educational fees were covered, enabling her to focus solely on her studies.
- The scholarship also provided Martinez-Hilario with up to $7,500 in enrichment funding, which she used for a life-changing study abroad experience in London.
- While in London, Martinez-Hilario honed her fashion design skills, deepened her aspirations, and formed closer relationships with classmates.
- Her study abroad experience served not only as an academic enrichment but also as a crucial step in her personal growth and career development.
- Martinez-Hilario is now planning to pursue a master's degree, driven by her ambition to make a significant impact in the fashion industry.
- The Centennial Scholarship, funded by the North Carolina Textile Foundation, goes beyond financial aid, fostering student growth and development through a combination of education and enrichment.
- The program equips students like Martinez-Hilario with the practical experience and global perspective necessary for long-term success in the textile and fashion industries, emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning and skills training.
