What inspired you to travel abroad?
As an aspiring designer, I am always in search of new experiences that inspire my creativity. I wanted to immerse myself in more arts and culture over my summer break and get out of my comfort zone. It's a great opportunity to meet new people, experience something different and see yourself in new ways that you never thought were possible. I wanted to begin the journey of creating a gateway between my home city and Melbourne.
Walking down the streets in Melbourne and came across some really interesting street art!
Why did you choose ArtBound Initiative?
ABI reached out to me while I was studying at Curtin University and their offering matched what I was looking for. My summer plan was to visit Melbourne and to try to find an internship over the uni break. When I spoke with ABI, they said that they could make that possible!
So we worked together to find something that suited my preferences and skillset. The creative mentors gave me invaluable and personal advice to develop my creative portfolio and CV and pre-internship training gave me the confidence to get started with my internship.
What was your favorite part about Melbourne?
Melbourne is made for creatives because the city prides itself in arts and culture, from an endless selection of galleries/exhibitions, theater shows, music events and more. It's the perfect place for young creatives entering the industry. As someone who is from Perth, I wanted to know what all the hype was about! Plus the coffee is always better in Melbourne.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
Traveling abroad can push you to see a different part of yourself that you never knew was there before. My experience abroad led to new growth and discovery. I think there is something about being on your own that can challenge you to see a different side of yourself.
From the things you would do in your day to day, the places you visit and the people you find yourself connecting with. It was also a really exciting opportunity to work with the Milkman Agency and experience agency life.
About to attend the Big Design Market at the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
I went to an ABI meetup a few weeks into my internship and it was cool to meet other like-minded creatives and explore more of Melbourne. Our host Natalia (@natalialunadesign) was based in Melbourne and had so much knowledge to share about her experience working in the industry and the top places to visit while I was there.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I think the challenging thing about traveling abroad can be feeling a sense of loneliness. When you move from the comforts of your home city to a place that you don't know a lot about and/or without people you know, traveling abroad can feel like a double-edged sword. Try to push through those feelings and reach out to people. Build a new support network that works for you.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
Wake up, make breakfast and tram to the Milkman Agency in South Yarra, where I was interning with the creative team. I was working on various projects, such as branding for a tech company, making social media posts and Instagram reels for various clients and content creation. On weekends, I would explore Melbourne and visit local markets, art galleries and nightlife!
Worked as an intern in this office with the Milkman Agency in Melbourne, Australia.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
Going to galleries, searching for the next best thrift finds, free music events, nightlife and exploring Melbourne by tram. The city is well-connected and each suburb is unique and different from each-other! I enjoyed visiting the north suburbs, such as Fitzroy, Carlton, Collingwood and Brunswick. So many cool boutique stores, markets and vinyl stores to explore.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I was staying with a host family in Caulfield North. It is a very leafy and peaceful suburb, with a short 30 minute tram to the city and an easy connection to my agency on Chapel Street. My place was a short walking distance to a cafe strip, which was great for a morning coffee run. It was easy to get back home late after exploring the city at night.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Interning abroad can open up so many opportunities for you if you put in the work. Be curious, listen and take initiative. Take every opportunity when you have the chance.
Reach out to other creatives in your company, ask for their advice and learn from them. You will only get out what you put into it. So work hard, learn, have fun and be yourself!
Leisurely exploring more of the city and walking through the famous Degraves Lane.
Would you recommend the ArtBound Initiative to others? Why?
100%, it can be a tough decision to travel abroad but ABI was really helpful in making it possible. it can be difficult to know what is right for you, and through a few meetings, they were able to recommend an internship plan that was right for me, which led to a few interviews! Their pre-internship training and mentorship helped to steer me in the right direction and find the experience that was right for me. I felt ready to start my internship with the resources that ABI gave me.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
I think the biggest benefit of interning abroad is connections. My time abroad in Melbourne has opened up a world of opportunities for me, both professionally and in my lifestyle. My internship experience has created invaluable connections to the creative industry in Melbourne and can lead to more opportunities in the city. I have a new perspective on how I want to live and as a result working towards becoming the person I want to be.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
My time abroad has allowed me to see a different side to myself that I never knew was there before. I feel more inspired to connect more with the local design community, learn from others and ask for advice. With the help from ABI, I have more confidence in my creativity and networking abilities and be more proactive in working towards my dream career.
