Centralight

Maria Dodick Where she lived: Istanbul, Turkey When you think of Istanbul, Victoria's Secret probably doesn't come to mind. But that's where Maria Dodick, '03, spent a few months last year, selling lacy undergarments while traditional Muslim prayers regularly blared from outdoor loudspeakers. Maria, who earned a degree in apparel merchandising and design, has worked in retail since graduation, most recently as assistant manager at Victoria's Secret stores in Florida. Impressed with her creative store displays, the company asked if she would go to Istanbul to help get a new store up and running. After a quick gulp, she said, "Sure, why not?" "It's a little scary for Americans, with all the things going on in bordering countries," Maria says. But the people she met were warm and friendly, and she felt safe. "It was my fi rst time living in another country," she says. "Everything was diff erent." Five times a day, traditional Muslim prayers were recited over loudspeakers throughout the city. The three-month experience was a continuation of what she learned at CMU, she says. "At CMU, I found out who I was," Maria says. "There were only 100 kids in my high school graduating class in Midland – white farm kids. Then I went to Central and was suddenly meeting people from diff erent cultures and of diff erent ethnicities. You go in blind, knowing nobody, and you start building relationships. That's what you need in life." MARIA'S TRAVEL TIP: Don't miss Instanbul's Grand Bazaar. Encompassing 60 streets with 5,000 shops, it's the world's oldest fl ea market, opening in 1461. Shop for stained glass lanterns, prayer beads, delectable loose-leaf tea and Turkish delight, the famous gel candy packed with chopped dates and pistachios. Plan on several hours to shop, she says. And don't be afraid to bargain. Walk away, and merchants will call after you with a lower price. Emily Leslie Where she lives: Nantes, France When she arrived in Toulouse in the south of France, Emily Leslie, '06, had no job and no prospects. She did have a new French husband, whom she met in the United States, so that was pretty cool. "But I didn't speak French or understand it," she says. Undaunted, she took an intense, nine-month French language course, then landed a string of internships and jobs and started learning about life in the fashion industry in a country pretty famous for it. She negotiated fabric prices with foreign companies, called trim vendors, and learned about sweater design and manufacturing. When a headhunter from Paris contacted her, she started work as an assistant brand manager for a major European distributor of sportswear. After earning a degree in apparel merchandising and design at CMU, Emily is living the fashion life in France. But ask her about a personal highlight and there's no Chanel in sight. "I learned how to ride a bike in traffi c," Emily says with a laugh. "The fi rst time I did it, I was so scared. These big buses pass by. People on scooters weave in and out of traffi c. I thought I was going to die." She wouldn't change a thing. "Diana Vreeland once said, 'There's only one very good life and that's the life that you know you want and you make it for yourself,' " Emily says. "Take opportunities as they come along." EMILY'S TRAVEL TIP: Head to Nantes in the summer so you can take in "Voyage à Nantes," a festival of pop-up restaurants, huge arts displays and activities. Follow the green line along the ground to fi nd the fun. Don't miss the "Grand Elephant," a 40-foot tall mechanical pachyderm that lumbers through town powered by hydraulic, pneumatic and gas-run cylinders. As many as 40 people can ride at a time. 25 centralight spring '15

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