Opportunities on the island were only limited, so she emigrated to the Netherlands to get an education. Exciting, but it was a move that worked out well. She is currently doing the Fashion & Management programme at AMFI and feels right at home.

Getting used to the Netherlands

Just settled in the Netherlands, Franchesca signed up for an MBO fashion course in Hilversum. "I was homesick, but persevered anyway. Slowly, I started getting used to life here and I developed a good basic knowledge of fashion," Franchesca says. "After two years, I was ready for a bigger challenge and even though I hardly knew Amsterdam, I enrolled at AMFI on the recommendation of a fellow student. I got through the selection and took the plunge.”

Wide interests

During her first year at AMFI, she learnt all aspects of the fashion industry, from design to business development. Franchesca: "It was precisely the combination of theoretical and practical subjects that appealed to me. Doing market research, performing analyses, as well as making technical drawings. I am someone who does not want to specialise in one thing, but has a lot of interests. The Fashion & Management programme is very broad, so that was a good fit."

Working together and keeping the balance

Within AMFI, a lot of attention is paid to group projects. Franchesca: "Working in a variety of different teams has also taught me a lot about myself. I know what stresses me out and how to set my limits.” Franchesca spends a lot of time in the boxing school. "When a deadline is approaching I have to make long hours sometimes, but a good balance is important. I exercise a lot and regularly take a day off. Taking sufficient rest is a recurring theme within the programme. The students also remind each other of that.”

At home

Franchesca has completely found her feet at school. "There is an open atmosphere, and lecturers are very committed. If I have any questions, there is always someone I can turn to," Franchesca says. "Especially at the optional lectures, you learn many surprising things, so I always make sure I’m there. This also makes me feel so much at home at school. It’s such a fun place.”

From idea to sale

Franchesca: "With the Fashion & Management programme, I can both be creative and learn everything about the fashion chain. And there is plenty of room to specialise. For example, I’m now learning how I can apply 3D technology to design digital clothing. So interesting!” She is considering doing a master's degree programme in Italy after this to further develop in the field of fashion and management. Franchesca: "Eventually, I see myself working as a product manager. That would allow me to get involved with the entire fashion process, from idea to actually selling items of clothing. I like to be the linchpin between all those parts.”