What inspired you to travel abroad?
I wanted to go abroad to open myself up to more job opportunities. The jewelry industry where I'm from is a bit small and I thought interning in Melbourne would be a brilliant way to experience an industry that is very well established.
I am very happy I made the decision to go abroad because my experience was so valuable and so fun. Even through the Covid pandemic, there are many job opportunities for young people coming into the industry. Now I have my dream job in a beautiful city.
Why did you choose ArtBound Initiative?
The Art Bound Initiative felt like the right fit for me because they really value network building. I was new out of schooling and I didn't know anyone in the field and I didn't know how to get myself into the jewelry trade.
Art Bound made me feel like they would really help me build relationships and get my foot in some doors. So far they have exceeded my exceptions. I have met so many amazing creatives; they listened to me and had my best interest at heart throughout the entire process.
What was your favorite part about Australia?
My favorite thing about my host country was how easy it was to settle in. Living in Melbourne seemed to just come naturally and everyone was very very friendly and supportive. The food culture in Melbourne is also really amazing.
It's been so exciting exploring the city and trying to find new favorite restaurants and dishes. The jewelry industry has also been pretty welcoming. Everyone is really willing to answer any of my questions. I really appreciate this because I'm learning so much from the experts around me.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
My experience abroad was extraordinary because the company I interned at was truly amazing. It was important for me to work in a small, female-run business and that's exactly what I did. This placement exceeded my expectations and the ArtBound program went above and beyond to cater to my wants.
Now I am further up, killing and perfecting my craft as a jeweler but I am also learning what it takes to run a company. The knowledge I am gaining will really help me achieve my career goals. I am so grateful to the program and my company. I am so grateful to be contributing to my company's success and I'm so grateful for the future.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
Local staff are extremely helpful. The trade can be an exclusive place because of the value of our materials. That's why I was afraid I wouldn't be able to break into the industry without knowing the right people in a new country.
More experienced jewelers may not see the industry as a creative industry but more like a traditional trade. However, after some initial hesitation, by getting used to me, everyone has really been so helpful.
There are more and more young jewelers coming through schooling filling positions in the industry and older generations are becoming more open to sharing knowledge. Building rapport has established trust and now I feel very welcome in the industry. I know I can ask as many questions as I need and I usually get positive responses.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I promoted myself better during my internship. I'm confident I represented my company very well and I'm very proud of that. However, I should have tried harder to share my back story with peers as well.
Allowing more jewelers to get to know me could have made me stand out from the crowd, opened up even more doors for me, and further expanded my professional network. It can be a bit nerve-wracking to constantly be promoting yourself like a product, but when I did my efforts didn't fall on deaf ears.
I think local staff took interest in finding out about newbies and I should have backed myself a bit harder.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
On any given day I would be up at 7:00 a.m. to catch the train for approximately an hour to get to the studio. I definitely only had time to eat breakfast on the train. Then at the studio, I would be polishing, filing, sanding, soldering, basically finishing products ready for shipment until about 1:00 p.m.
At that point, it’s time to head into the CBD, the trade hub where most of the suppliers for the jewelry trade can be found. Just before I see the goods I can have a bite to eat and a coffee. Then I would have to pick up rough castings of our products, select diamonds for pieces the studio was making, buy materials like gold and silver, or whatever we needed.
At about 5:00 p.m. I’m done with work for the day, so I catch the train back home where I had to store our materials in a safe until I can take them into the studio the following morning.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
I really enjoyed exploring Melbourne’s fantastic food culture with friends. Melbourne is very multicultural and there are so many cuisines and fusion cuisines to try. Food is definitely the way to my heart and that's how Melbourne won me over.
There's also nightlife everywhere. You don't have to travel to one place far away to experience amazing food. There are beautiful eateries all around the city. The graffiti art was also amazing to see. You don't have to spend a lot of money to see amazing artwork. It makes walking everywhere the best way to experience the city.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I lived in an apartment during my internship. It was really fun living in St. Kilda. It's such a vibrant area. I feel like there is always something to do there. Shops usually stay open late and there are always people walking on the street. Seeing as it’s so busy I didn't feel that isolated living alone. I was excited to watch people out my window.
Public transport was really convenient. The beach was a 20-minute walk away. I can't say I had enough time to enjoy the beach as much as I would've liked but I caught a few sunsets which were beautiful.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
Well, I was lucky enough to be able to turn my host country into my new home—so I guess you can say my time abroad hugely impacted my life. I was afraid I had studied in a field that wouldn't lead to a career for me. I knew I would have to take some risks to create opportunities for myself. That's why I looked at interning abroad.
I worked like crazy to hopefully get any job in the jewelry industry in Melbourne, maybe in jewelry sales, or maybe increase my chances of getting hired as a jeweler back home. I had no idea I would be hired to do the work I was doing as an intern. Now I'm really doing the work I dreamt of doing as a student and I got this exciting new life in a new city too. I can’t overstate how grateful I am.
...I knew I would have to take some risks to create opportunities for myself. That's why I looked at interning abroad.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Professionally speaking this experience has been the most rewarding for me so far; it definitely could be for you as well, especially after graduating. You will only get out what you put into it. It is demanding. Work hard and passionately but look after yourself too.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. As creatives, we adore our work so it’s easy to get totally absorbed by it. It’s also okay to cut yourself some slack. Have fun in the marvellous places your work may take you.
Would you recommend ArtBound Initiative to others? Why?
Absolutely. The Art Bound Initiative went above and beyond to get me my dream internship. The training they provided helped me land my dream job at this beautiful company. Their mission to help creative graduates break into their chosen industry is simply astonishing.
They take their role seriously and are determined to help their participants reach their goals and full potential. Their approach was warm and personal, not overly professional. They genuinely care for each of their participants and made me feel like they were passionate about what I was passionate about.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
You learn how to depend on yourself and you become almost entirely self-reliant. You are your greatest tool and the sooner you become an expert at using that tool the better off you will be.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
I know it may sound cliche but meaningful travel truly does broaden your horizons. Collecting meaningful experiences and different perspectives expands your mind and the way you problem solve in a way nothing else can.
