What inspired you to travel abroad?
Traveling is so important. I’ve always wanted to travel and live abroad. It seems like a challenge that I was willing to take because you learn so much about yourself when you change your environment.
What inspired me to go abroad is learning about someone else’s culture. My mom came to a completely different country and learned English, got a job, and raised three children on her own. Not understanding how that felt was something I wanted to experience for myself. My mom is my role model and if she can do it, so can I (minus the children).
My culture and heritage are very important to me. With what is going on in my country right now (US), it seems that people have forgotten how to respect each other’s values even just as human beings. I think that getting out of your comfort zone, even if it’s for a short while, can add tremendous value to your life.
Although I usually only travel for vacations, I use that time to really understand the place I’m visiting and what it means for them to be there on a daily basis. Being a tourist is a great excuse to go to all the popular places but to really understand a new place and a new culture, I would rather go to the hidden places only locals go to.
It’s a completely different experience when you immerse yourself in an environment someone goes to every day. Of course, this means coming out of your shell, speaking to a local, and share with them in that experience. I hope as I get older that I can travel much more than I do now.
With the pandemic, my love for travel has only grown as restrictions were put up. Being quarantined and feeling like things will not get better for a long time only made me appreciate traveling so much. Having plans cancelled, jobs going virtual, and even going to the grocery store change so drastically due to the quarantine really shows the world how short and fragile life can be.
Once this pandemic is over (which hopefully is soon), I would just like to travel anywhere that I can. I have family in Puerto Rico that I haven’t seen since the pandemic broke out so it would be really wonderful to be in the same place face to face.
Although face time and technology has been super helpful with friends going long distance, I genuinely miss human contact. Even just sitting in a park and people watching is something I am now much more pleased with doing. Hearing the hustle and bustle of people rather than the silence of the streets is what makes me miss traveling the most.
The desire to travel will always be in me, just now I am much more appreciative of the opportunity to be in good health to do it.
Artbound Initiative
Why did you choose ArtBound Initiative?
I chose ArtBound Initiative because of the capability to travel abroad. Ever since undergrad, I always missed the opportunity to travel abroad in school whether the program got shut down or costs were too high. With ABI not only do you get to travel abroad, but you also get the benefits that comes with having a career coach and more.
Getting a paid internship after college in your field is a blessing in itself. But also getting opportunities in one-on-one coaching, networking opportunities, and alumni privileges after is a bargain.
As someone who is comfortable in my academic environment, switching to a career straight out of college has always been a hurdle for me. Networking and learning to become career-focused always gives me anxiety. With my experience with ABI, I have much more confidence in my abilities in the field. Having all those coach calls and doing the work, that anxiety I felt just melted away.
Having the knowledge and actually performing in the field are two different experiences. Knowing what the best way is to start out an internship in your field is very intimidating at first. However, with the resources and the people attached to ArtBound Initiative, they teach you the best way to deal with each outcome as they come along. Having that insight, to me, I felt put me above the rest when it came to my program.
As an awardee of the Creative Diversity Scholarship, ABI has prepared me for what most schools don’t and that is the job search and the networking skills needed to stay in my field. Unfortunately, it’s not what you know, but who you know. Having and using the sources ArtBound Initiative provides within their programs puts me on a level I know would take me years to get to.
When you have a creative degree, the opportunity to get paid work right out of college is very difficult. Some people don’t go to further their education and still get into positions that you wished you can get to. ArtBound gives people who have the skills get into the same positions if not in a better one than you can imagine.
Being in a field that is flooded with connections, it’s honestly the best way to get the same advantage and ABI provides that for you without you having a relative or friend to get your foot in the door. Laura and all of her employees honestly have the best interests for us who participate in the program. Having that relationship with them has been one of the best moves I made after graduation.
ArtBound has changed my perspective about my abilities and what opportunities I should go for and honestly, I am so grateful to all of them. I don’t know what my career would look like without them or their resources.
What was your favorite part about New York?
New York has so many amazing parts to it. Not only do you have one of the most influential cities in the world, but you also have parks and lakes on the outskirts of the city. My favorite part about New York is the culture and the people. My networking skills always need improvement so getting to talk and meet new people in the same field as myself is something only New York can provide.
The diversity of it all really makes me appreciate my experience. As someone who’s been in New York for school as well, I think we get a bad rap for being rude and unfriendly. Yes, mostly our faces are stoic, and we keep our heads down in the subway, but once you speak to us, we are as friendly as they come.
With the pandemic, life has changed drastically. Especially being one of the places that was hit the hardest with covid, I think New York came together and fought all its might for normalcy. Although we are far from it, we are much closer to what it was over a year ago.
Although my internship was much more different than I anticipated, ArtBound made sure to give all of their resources despite the initial issue of the pandemic. I will say New York and places across the world are still trying to get back to the way it was, but the resilience of New Yorkers was proven once again while we get through this pandemic.
I love New York. I cannot imagine myself living or working in another place than here so I can understand why traveling here is on everyone’s bucket list. If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. We have great food, great architecture, wonderful parks and amazing people with amazing stories. Deciding on New York was a no brainer for me.
Working in the creative field in New York has always been a dream of mine. Yes, working in other countries and other states would be fantastic and would have been possible if the pandemic didn’t happen across the world but I wouldn’t do my internship any different. I am beyond grateful to get work in this amazing state. I have met some amazing people during my internship, including the people within the program.
Although no one I’ve met is originally from New York from this program or my internship, this place has a way of bringing different people and different cultures. Having experiences that you would never think you would be all thanks to this big, beautiful place. I highly recommend coming to New York. Come for the pizza and the Statue of Liberty; stay for an experience like no other. This state has so much more to offer than just the city life and that is what makes this place so unique.
What made your experience extraordinary?
Honestly the internship itself. With the pandemic, there has been a lot of curve balls thrown at everyone especially in this industry. Sets were being shut down, the way it looked like work in my field has come to a complete stop altogether. I felt super lucky to still have an experience in my field even if it was from my laptop.
What also made my experience extraordinary was the way people were still trying to get projects and productions done with so many new rules. Doing tech shoots, at least watching them, for me was something so different compared to my time on set. I think with the world literally stopping, the consumption of media, film, and television definitely doubled if not tripled.
Living through this has truly made me appreciate connecting with people even if it’s through Zoom calls and emails. Having a bond with each other because we were all going through this together made the experience rather unique. Although my experience didn’t come with me going to the office every day or having weekly meetings, I was in touch with like-minded individuals in a field that I yearn to learn more of.
We all went through this pandemic together. Especially when New York was hit the hardest is when I started my internship and seeing how the industry adapted so quickly to the changes that were going on was really inspiring. Understanding that safety was the utmost important part of any potential shoot and adjusting the normal way shooting or meetings were done before the pandemic helped me understand how this business is so important to be a part of.
Having this opportunity to learn right along the side with everyone and experiencing the new protocols is a one-in-a-million opportunities. This pandemic took a lot from us but will never stand in the way of connecting with people in any way we can. The people I have worked for in this program have been so accommodating and understanding of where we are in the world both physically and mentally.
Learning what goes into a production in 2021 is so different than it was even a year and a half ago. This internship has allowed me to learn the process of what goes into a production, how we connect and communicate with our coworkers, and how much normalcy can change in an instant. I wouldn’t have changed my experience for anything else.
Having such a unique job in a completely changed world has changed my views on where I want my career to go. My desire to travel has and will never change but going through this program has honestly changed my opinion on how far I can go, and I cannot wait to travel once again. Going through this experience makes me appreciate what is possible once things keep evolving.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
Getting my internship from ABI gave me twice the support throughout the program. Of course, my internship alone had some great staff there to support me with all of my inquiries and suggestions to make the position excel, but the support I got from ABI was amazing. They were there throughout the entire process and checked on me every chance they could.
Knowing that I had them if I had any troubles made me feel at ease with this next step of my career. It’s very intimidating starting a new job, especially in your career, and getting ABI’s input and support made my time there all the better. They have excellent career coaches, webinars with producers who have been in the same position as we are and the staff themselves who are there for you whenever you need them.
In addition to this, the network of similar students going through the same program as yourself is nice to share stories and support one another. ABI understands the position we are in as graduates of the arts. Getting into the position where you want to be in your career is difficult if you don’t have a person already in that can catapult you where you would like to be.
Filling out application after application without any word back can be very frustrating. ABI assists us in being that filler. They help you figure out your goal, where you want to be in your career and help you find the best place to start your career. Knowing that they are just as invested in your start as much as you are makes you feel like you aren’t going at this alone.
Graduating from a good school never guarantees a good job once you’re out there looking for one. For me personally, my main concern was finding a way to get my foot in the door. To have anyone take a chance on me because once they do, I knew I can exceed their expectations. ABI recognizes and sees your potential and matches you with the best people on their roster.
Despite the pandemic, Laura and Ginda honestly have the best interests in their candidates. They really have an open line of communication 24/7. I am beyond grateful for their help in all of my endeavors. Seeing them always reach out and check in there is a true mentor-mentee relationship I have with them and that is something I have always wanted when it comes to my career.
It’s because of their experience and their gracious words of wisdom is why I am at the beginning of my career and not filling out application after application. They’ve helped me build my confidence and made me feel more comfortable with what I can do. Without their support, I don’t think I would come as far as I have today.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your program?
Since my internship was during the pandemic, I really wished I could actually work with the people from my internship. I am truly grateful for working during the pandemic but not having the physical connection is something I think we are all been craving since the beginning of the pandemic.
I have always preferred working in a group environment rather than alone, so it was quite an adjustment for me. Every day seeing things drastically changed, being able to walk outside my door to quarantining for months, the world I knew was different. I thought I wouldn’t find work within my field for several years if it wasn’t for ABI. The connections they had helped me not only find work but during a time where people didn’t know if their work would continue or not especially in my field.
There isn’t enough praise in the world that I can give to Artbound Initiative. Being in an atmosphere where you are so used to being on set to working individually at home threw me a bit, however, we press on. Working from home does have its advantages when it comes to availability and being on time but seeing my coworkers and being in an office with them would have been so much more of an experience.
Hearing someone’s voice rather than the pinging of a notification on my email is quite different than I imagined. Nevertheless, I worked with some really wonderful people who understood exactly where I was coming from.
Originally, my internship was supposed to be abroad in London. It was honestly my dream to live abroad in a different city working for people with different cultures and backgrounds. After the pandemic hit, I was definitely upset about not being able to travel, but my priorities shifted a bit. It made me realize that I can still fulfill my dream of working with a wonderful company but now in a way where I can spend more time with my family and appreciate how far I have come in my life.
London will always be there. I’ll get there eventually but spending quality time with my family and prioritize my mental health, shows me a different way of thinking about success. It is awful that we wake up to this reality after something catastrophic happens, however how else are we going to reach some life-changing ideas if our lives don’t dramatically change?
The restriction part is hard, I genuinely wished I could be in a work environment however the silver lining is that without ABI I wouldn’t have met wonderful people at my internship. Being restricted from going out and interacting with people. Although this has been a really difficult year that is honestly the only thing, I wished I did differently. I wouldn’t change a thing because I feel like I have grown in such a short amount of time.
Describe what a typical day in your life looked like.
The way my life looked like I believe it was very similar to a lot of people’s days during the pandemic. Even though I spent my last semester in graduate school during the pandemic I went from being up and busy since I use public transportation to being in one place for weeks at a time.
It was a bit jarring at first. I’ve always been a person who kept consistently working and busy. I had to adjust to working and going to school 5 days a week to working one day a week. It was a welcomed break at first, but I am a person who likes structure and organization, so I came up with my own schedule. I also used that time to reflect and work on myself.
Usually, I don’t have time but since there was a lockdown in New York, I used it to do positive work on myself. A typical day for me is getting up early in the morning. I would wake up around 7:30 am and take 5 minutes to process waking up. I usually am running out of bed and rushing myself to get ready for my day. Since my days weren’t so packed as it was before I really enjoyed the idea of doing breathwork and giving my brain time to wake up.
I drink some cold water, make my bed, and depending on the day I would work out before having breakfast. It was something I wanted to incorporate into my daily life and working out has definitely helped me sleep better and clear my mind.
My morning routine is something I do till this day, and it has sincerely motivated me to keep being healthy. After working out I would take my shower and do my skin regiment, make breakfast, and get ready for my virtual internship. I work that from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm with a lunch break in between.
After I work, I would talk to my mom for a bit about her workday because she was going through the same thing with her job. She was working from home as well and we definitely bonded on our new work experiences. After, I worked on some side projects I had to continue or hung out with friends via face time.
By bedtime, I would go through my Instagram while mulling through the TV shows and movies released on Netflix. I tried to have a good balance of good and not-so-good habits while being on lockdown. I wanted to make the best out of a bad situation and even though people were affected differently by it, we all became tougher and much more resilient for it.
Lives were changed forever but I treated my typical day during that time as something to be grateful for.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time?
I picked up some new habits during my free time. I’m usually a very busy person with a packed schedule so once we went into lockdown everything just kind of stopped. It was a nice feeling but after a while I craved structure so that is what I gave myself. I began to do some inner work on myself starting with positive manifestations.
Going through a period such as the lockdown gives you time to yourself; time to think. Usually, I’m not good at realizing how much pressure I put upon myself. so I began looking up podcasts and journaling to change my mindset. Once my mindset began to change, everything just clicked for me. I began working out, declutter my space, and really began to focus on the hunt for work in my field.
I was never big about the gym in the first place, so working out from home was something I disciplined myself. I really wanted to create good daily habits that profoundly affected my quality of life all around. Another big thing I did with my free time was to begin to write. Throughout covid, there have been studies that found out that people were beginning to dream more and remember those dreams.
As a writer, I would have very vivid dreams that I would use as plot devices in my own personal projects. Since the world had stopped, I felt like my body and my brain hit this certain field of relaxation that allowed me to really dream and for an anxious person like me, it was so different. It made me want to be more creative and outgoing when I’m usually reserved.
All of this is an impact from working out, eating right, and speaking positively about yourself. Putting in that work was something I have always wanted the time to do. I’ve noticed the things I want to change about my life and even though my schedule is slowly getting back to max capacity, I have made it a habit and carved out time for myself. It is really important not to only be successful, but to really love the person you are.
No one is perfect, we all make mistakes. However, what I have taken away from this experience is that we are all works in progress. We just need to do the work and become our best versions of ourselves. Being creative and productive was always seen as a chore for me. Now I am more than grateful to be working in my field, planning for my future, and also enjoying the present.
Maintaining a good balance is something I’ve worked on forever but having this free time has shown me that it is a lifestyle and it’s something I must continue to work on and I’m always ready to do that type of work.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I couldn’t travel abroad due to the pandemic, but I will tell you about the accommodations I had while living at home. When Covid began spreading throughout the world, I was already a homebody. I live with my family in New York and I’m pretty boring if I must say. I like hanging with my friends, going to the park for walks and fresh air, and going to dinner.
I wasn’t a girl who liked going to the bars so when the lockdown happened, I wasn’t as affected as everyone else on a Friday night. I was very lucky that I didn’t have to deal with the lockdown on my own, but once it hit a month those walls seemed to be enclosing. Things were different; pet peeves started coming out and a nice well-adjusted family became people nitpicking about the smallest details. I live in a small town where everyone knows each other so it wasn’t just us.
However, we were very fortunate where we could go to a park that’s 5 minutes away to take a breather. I had a friend two blocks from me I can visit for an afternoon if needed. Having that kind of community where everyone was close made us understand each other a bit more when it came to us being in a lockdown. The thing I liked best was that I wasn’t alone. I know of friends who had to quarantine on their own because they contracted covid or had to stay inside their dorm room 24/7 due to the bans and restrictions.
As much as my family can get a bit bothersome, we were in this together. My brothers and I would all switch off to go to the grocery store, so my mom didn’t have to go out. We made sure to do the dishes and help around the house during this time so my mom could rest. These are the things family does and we pick up the slack whenever we can. I am grateful that I wasn’t by myself.
I come from a big extended family so of course we would face time each other and check in but no one in my family was truly alone. During these times we really see what we are made of. Coming from the type of family that I do I always knew were a strong bunch.
Being with my family during a crisis of this magnitude really helped keep me grounded about what was going on in the world. Especially with New York being hit the hardest in the beginning all we could do is wear a mask in public and wait it out until the vaccines were approved. I am most thankful that I was able to do that with the people that mean the most to me. It doesn’t get better than that.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Just go in knowing you will work really hard for something you really love. If this is something you really want, you have to put your all into it. Regardless of your talents, no one will give you an opportunity if you don’t enjoy it and put in 110%. I’m not saying there will be tests, but if you don’t take this seriously as you would any part of your career then you are doing them a disservice.
They are one of the best things I have ever chosen to participate in. When it comes to your career everything matters, and ABI knows that. They mentor you in all aspects from interviews to your portfolio. ABI knows what recruiters are looking for and they mold you into the best version of you in order to get your spot reserved. They will support you all the way through. If I didn’t have the career coaches and the materials provided by this program I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Whether you go abroad or decide to do something locally, you will get a wonderful experience and a network of people who want to see you succeed. This program has been irreplicable in my opinion. Coming from a creative field, there is no linear way to get there. Everyone’s journey is different. This program not only assists with your initial journey, but they keep assisting you as an alumnus and will always be there to help you with your career goals.
Once you get into this program it’s genuinely a wonderful experience through and through. Even through the pandemic, ABI has been super supportive and since their career coaches have been in our shoes the relatability and understanding our positions is nice. Again, coming into a creative field without knowing someone already in it is nearly impossible. With ABI’s resources, you feel like you now have gained the same upper hand.
We are all talented humans and unfortunately not being recognized for that because no one will give you the initial opportunity is very unmotivating to continue in this field. It is not meant for people who cannot handle rejection. Despite that, ABI has been this warm and welcoming force who fights for their colleagues.
I am really proud to say that I am a part of this program. You are being represented by the best and you are a representation of this program. I am pleased to say that I enjoyed every part of it because I felt like I grew tremendously as a person and as a creator.
Work hard, build that portfolio, and ABI will take you to places that not only you deserve but a place that will accept you. They only work with the best companies, and it would be a missed opportunity if you didn’t at least give it a try. I am forever indebted to them and will do my best to represent them as well.
Would you recommend ArtBound Initiative to others? Why?
Like I said before, ABI is one of the best things I could’ve done at the beginning of my career. Coming from a creative field there is always the imposter syndrome and doubt. ABI kills that right out of you. The confidence I have built just speaking to Laura and Ginda has changed my life. I always felt I was meant for this type of career, but I came from a household where security was more important than dreams.
When I decided to go for it academically, having that transfer over to the working field is always tricky. Networking without knowing anyone in the same field is difficult especially in New York. Everyone’s an artist. However, my connection with ABI has catapulted my career in a way I only dreamed of. Because of them, I got a wonderful opportunity at a production company.
If you are serious and looking for opportunities right out of college where you can possibly work and travel, Artbound is the program for you. I would recommend this program to anyone, especially the scholarships. As someone from a low-income household, they have created scholarships and awards for creatives who may not be able to afford it on their own. Their inclusiveness and diversity are also a great reason as to why I was attracted to the program.
Wanting to travel is one of the reasons why I was attracted to the program. However, due to the pandemic, I thought it was wonderful that they wanted to still be able to have their attendees work through it which is why I worked virtually this year. Although we have a long way to go, ABI understands that even though our field was one of the ones that got hit the hardest without work during the pandemic it shouldn’t slow down the momentum of getting back to where we once were.
Their diligence and support display how much they honestly invest in this program and us the attendees. I think it is a rare sight to see a program wanting the best for us. I never felt any pressure or resistance when I brought up a question. They never made me felt like I wasn’t part of the conversation. Their background in being in the same positions we are initially made me feel very comfortable with them.
This is a program that truly honors and does what they say. I didn’t have any expectations when applying but they exceeded all of them by just being themselves. I appreciate them from the bottom of my heart and hope to do them proud as an alumnus. I would HIGHLY recommend this program to anyone struggling to get their foot in the door. I only wished I did the program while I was in school but having it happen the way it worked out was wonderful for my path. ABI is a great program overall.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The biggest benefit of traveling abroad is the culture. Getting out of your comfort zone and seeing how the world works outside of your home. I’ve always dreamed of traveling the world and living the life of a wanderer. Traveling for me is the best form of education. Whether it is a good or bad experience, you learn so much about yourself when you travel. You learn about what the meaning of life is.
Yes, you work and provide for your family and hang out with your friends, but when I travel it’s almost a spiritual journey regardless of where you end up going. Having that type of experience is irreplaceable. I would love to travel as much as possible. Seeing how people interact and daily life in a different place feels like you’re in a different world.
Growing up, we couldn’t afford to go on trips or go out of the country unless it was to visit family, so I always envisioned the glamour of traveling abroad. I’m sure there are plenty of places with and without glamour, but the experience of being in a place where no one knows you is an indescribable feeling. I mainly only travelled with friends but once the world becomes a bit more normal, I don’t think the fear of traveling alone will stop me.
I think yes of course always be safe, but I really want to go everywhere and anywhere I can. I learned so much about myself when I get the chance to travel. Leading my career path, I always wanted that to include traveling as much as possible. I like to learn as much as possible so seeing the different customs and experiencing it is the best way to see it. Nothing shapes a country or a people-like culture.
We all may have the same morals and values, but due to our ancestry and our upbringings, we explore and share them in completely different ways. Even if I don’t understand or don’t share the same beliefs as someone, I respect their decisions to practice it as long as no one is getting injured. In order to understand those practices traveling abroad and experiencing it first-hand makes it that much easier to see why these practices are still going on to this day.
When you lose your culture you lose your identity, in my opinion. Learning about my own culture and visiting the island my family and my ancestors are from gives me a sense of peace and calmness. Learning about other people’s cultures is one thing but going abroad and experiencing it in real-time alongside them is a feeling all on its own. Respect is a mutual thing and even if we don’t understand nor agree on certain facts or issues what I benefited from travel is that one’s culture should be appreciated despite our differences.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
As I’ve said before, I feel like traveling can become a spiritual journey. I have always wanted to visit places I’ve never seen before. Coming from a single-parent household, we never had funds set aside for a vacation that didn’t involve visiting family. To me, traveling means going to a place I’ve never been before and enjoy everything it has to offer.
Yes, it’s great to visit family but meaningful travel is going somewhere to have an experience and find yourself within a new culture. I know everyone’s style of travel can be different, but I prefer the research method. To further explain I like to do research on hot spots or tourist places on a new trip then ask the locals who live there the remarkable places not listed on websites.
Those little magical places that make a trip once in a lifetime. I would like to have travel be a big part of my life. Seeing the parts of the world you would never even dream about. I truly felt like it has been such a wonderful experience to see the places I’ve already visited and would feel super blessed to keep that tradition alive once the pandemic is over. Dealing with the travel bans and all the red tape needed to even fly has really changed my perspective on travel. I would be grateful to even get the opportunity to travel and to cross things off my bucket list again.
Having the ability to go to a place where I’ve never been since the pandemic would truly be a gift. I think that seeing all the destruction this pandemic has caused across the world, being able to see the world will once again be a feeling like no other. It is unfortunate that we only appreciate things more once it was taken from us and I know traveling to another country or state will feel even better than it did before.
Being stuck in your home, fearing the unknown has sincerely changed the way I see how I want my life to go. It doesn’t happen very often but dealing with mundane activities like walking to the post office or grocery shopping has been altered for over a year now. I know traveling has been affected to a much higher degree, but once you’ve booked your flight and know that your surroundings will change within a couple of hours, that feeling will be completely different than you have previously experienced.
A journey that will show how definitely the world has changed, but also that it is as resilient and reliable as it has always been. That people can be kind and welcoming to newcomers. The world has significantly changed; however, the traveling spirit hasn’t, and I am ready to rediscover it again. Things that feed your soul are something that should be limited by the world view and meaningful travel is one of those journeys that shouldn’t be skipped as you live your life.
