What inspired you to go abroad?
I was inspired to go abroad because I wanted to grow beyond the limits of my usual environment and challenge myself both personally and professionally. As a cinematography and audiovisual production student, I have always believed that storytelling becomes richer when you experience different cultures, perspectives, and ways of life firsthand.
Going to New York represented much more than travel for me—it was an opportunity to step into a global creative environment, learn how people work and communicate in an international setting, and prove to myself that I could adapt, contribute, and thrive far from home. I also wanted to gain clarity about my future and see how my creative skills could connect with a wider professional world.
Enjoying one of New York’s most iconic skyline views during an unforgettable chapter of personal and professional growth.
Why did you choose The Intern Group?
I chose The Intern Group’s internship program in New York because it offered exactly the kind of international professional immersion I was looking for. I did not want a purely academic trip or a tourism-based experience—I wanted real exposure to a work environment where I could develop professionally while also growing personally.
The Intern Group stood out because of its structure, support system, and focus on helping participants build meaningful career experience abroad. New York was also a huge reason behind my choice. It is one of the most dynamic cities in the world, especially for media, creativity, business, and culture.
The combination of professional development, international exposure, and the chance to live in such an iconic city made this program feel like the right next step for me.
What was your favorite part about New York?
My favorite part about New York was the energy of the city and the feeling that so many different worlds coexist in one place. Every day felt full of movement, ambition, creativity, and possibility. I loved walking through neighborhoods that each had its own personality, hearing different languages on the street, and seeing how people from all over the world live and work side by side.
As someone who works in visual storytelling, New York was incredibly inspiring because the city itself feels cinematic—its architecture, people, colors, pace, and contrast all tell stories. I also loved how easy it was to access museums, parks, coffee shops, films, and cultural spaces. It constantly pushed me to stay curious, observant, and creatively awake.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
What made my experience abroad extraordinary was the combination of professional growth, personal independence, and emotional transformation. It was not just about living in New York or completing an internship—it was about discovering how much I was capable of when placed in a completely different environment. I had to adapt quickly, manage responsibilities, navigate a major global city, and build confidence in my ability to contribute in an international professional setting.
At the same time, I was constantly absorbing inspiration from the city, from the people around me, and from the experience of being far from home. It gave me a deeper sense of maturity, resilience, and direction. I came back with new skills, stronger confidence, and a much clearer vision of the kind of global creative life I want to build.
Taking in the view and reflecting on how much this experience in New York helped me grow.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
The local staff supported me by helping create a sense of structure and reassurance throughout the experience. Being abroad in a city like New York is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming at times, especially at the beginning.
Knowing there was a team available to guide us, answer questions, and help us navigate the process made a real difference. Their support helped bridge the gap between arriving in a new place and actually feeling settled enough to focus on making the most of the opportunity.
Beyond logistics, it was helpful to feel that there were people who understood the challenges of adjusting to life abroad and who genuinely wanted participants to succeed. That support gave me more confidence and allowed me to engage more fully with both the internship and the city.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
One thing I wish I had done differently was to have documented even more of my daily life and reflections while I was there. As someone who works in visual media, I naturally captured photos and videos, but looking back, I realize there were many small moments, thoughts, and everyday experiences that I would have loved to preserve more intentionally.
I also think I could have said yes to even more networking opportunities, events, and spontaneous invitations, even when I felt tired or unsure. New York offers so much, and every conversation or outing can open a new door. I made the most of my time, but the city teaches you that there is always more to explore. That realization is part of what makes the experience so special.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
A typical day abroad usually started early, with the rhythm of New York already in motion outside. I would get ready, commute through the city, and head to my internship, which gave me the opportunity to experience a real professional routine in an international environment.
During the day, I focused on my responsibilities, learned from the people around me, and adapted to the pace and expectations of working in New York.
One of my favorite moments in the city—being surrounded by the scale, energy, and inspiration of New York.
After work, I often took time to explore the city a bit—sometimes walking through different neighborhoods, visiting a coffee shop, going to a park, or simply observing the energy of the streets.
Some days included meeting people, attending events, or discovering new places. Even the most ordinary days felt meaningful because I was learning constantly, both inside and outside the workplace.
What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?
During my free time abroad, I loved exploring New York as much as possible. I enjoyed walking through different neighborhoods, discovering cafés, parks, bookstores, and cultural spaces, and simply observing the city’s rhythm.
As a creative person, I found a lot of inspiration in everyday moments—street life, architecture, subway rides, conversations, and the visual character of each area. I also enjoyed visiting places connected to film, art, and media, because that helped me feel even more connected to my professional interests while living there. Sometimes my favorite moments were the simplest ones: getting a coffee, sitting in a park, people-watching, or reflecting on everything I was learning.
Free time in New York felt valuable because it was never just “time off”—it was also part of the experience of growing, discovering, and being inspired.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I stayed in student-style housing arranged for the program, and what I appreciated most was that it gave me a stable base while I adjusted to life in New York.
Having accommodation already coordinated reduced a lot of the stress that can come with arriving in a new country and city for the first time. It allowed me to focus on settling into my internship, getting used to the commute, and starting to enjoy the experience without worrying as much about the logistics of finding a place to live.
I also liked that it gave me a sense of independence while still being connected to other participants going through a similar experience. That balance between personal space, practicality, and community made the transition into daily life abroad much smoother and more manageable.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Every future participant should know that this kind of program is much more than an internship placement—it is a full personal growth experience. You are not only going abroad to work; you are going to adapt, learn, problem-solve, communicate across cultures, and discover how you respond to a completely new environment. It is important to arrive with openness, initiative, and the willingness to step outside your comfort zone.
New York can be intense, fast, and overwhelming at first, but that is also part of what makes it such a powerful place to learn. The more proactive, curious, and flexible you are, the more you will get out of the experience. It is not about everything being easy; it is about how much you grow because of it.
A candid moment in the city, enjoying everyday life and the cultural energy that made New York so inspiring.
Would you recommend your Internships in New York to others? Why?
Yes, I would definitely recommend my program and provider to others because it gave me the chance to combine professional experience with personal transformation in a truly international setting.
The program helped me step into a real work environment abroad while also giving me the structure and support needed to navigate that process with confidence. For students or young professionals who want more than tourism and are looking for a meaningful experience that can genuinely shape their future, this kind of opportunity is incredibly valuable.
In my case, it helped me gain professional clarity, improve my confidence, and see myself as someone capable of working across cultures and contexts. It was a major step forward in both my career and my personal development, which is why I would strongly recommend it.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
I think the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is that it expands you from the inside. It changes the way you see the world, but it also changes the way you see yourself.
When you live in another country, you are constantly learning—how to adapt, communicate, observe, respect differences, and find confidence in unfamiliar situations. Travel teaches you flexibility, empathy, and independence in a way that is hard to replicate anywhere else. It also helps you understand that there are many valid ways of living, working, and thinking.
For me, one of the greatest benefits was realizing that growth happens when you leave what is familiar and allow yourself to be challenged. That kind of experience stays with you long after you return home.
Exploring New York beyond the internship and discovering the places that made the experience even more meaningful.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
Now that I am home, I can clearly see that my time abroad changed me in lasting ways. I returned with more confidence, more maturity, and a broader vision of what I want for my future.
Professionally, the experience helped me understand how valuable international exposure can be and strengthened my desire to build a career that connects creativity, storytelling, and global collaboration.
Personally, I became more independent and more aware of what I am capable of when I challenge myself. I also came home with a deeper appreciation for my own background, while feeling more connected to the wider world.
My time abroad did not just give me memories—it gave me perspective, motivation, and a stronger sense of direction in both my life and career.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel means going beyond simply visiting a place and instead allowing that place to change you. It is about engaging with people, culture, routines, and realities in a way that creates understanding rather than just consumption.
For me, meaningful travel is when you learn something real—about the world, about others, and about yourself. It is when travel becomes connected to growth, reflection, relationships, and purpose. My experience in New York felt meaningful because it was not just about seeing famous places; it was about living, working, adapting, and becoming part of a new environment, even if only temporarily.
Meaningful travel leaves something with you long after the trip ends. It shapes your perspective and helps you return home with a richer, more conscious way of moving through life.
