Actuality Abroad
Why choose Actuality Abroad?
Actuality Abroad leads purpose-driven travel experiences with a focus on ethical, collaborative documentary storytelling. In each location we visit, we partner with grassroots social enterprises or locally led nonprofit organizations and create stories about real life that amplify their work. Listening to their stories, documenting their work and sharing their wisdom, our students become inspired ...
Actuality Abroad leads purpose-driven travel experiences with a focus on ethical, collaborative documentary storytelling. In each location we visit, we partner with grassroots social enterprises or locally led nonprofit organizations and create stories about real life that amplify their work. Listening to their stories, documenting their work and sharing their wisdom, our students become inspired to do better. We believe that real personal growth comes from opened minds, shifts in perspective, grappling with inequity and understanding our place in it. Our service-learning programs enable travelers to gain understanding through experience. Those who travel with us seek both personal and professional growth and are willing to risk a little discomfort along the way. Working in collabor...
Actuality Abroad Reviews
Hear what past participants have to say about the programs
Overall Rating
Total Reviews
Great work experience
December 15, 2019by: Noelle Rivas - FranceProgram: Documentary Outreach - Service Learning for StorytellersIt's an excellent opportunity to make a short film in Less than a month. We learn to work with a team successfully that we had never met. We ended up making a good movie despite the problems that we encountered, and it became fun and straightforward. Overall it was great. I sincerely recommended it.
We are glad that you had such a good experience and would recommend it to others. Of course problems always arise when making films abroad (and making films in general - a big portion of film production is solving problems) and we're glad we equipped your crew with the skills they needed to succeed!
Madeleine's Actuality Media review
September 25, 2019by: Madeleine - United StatesProgram: Documentary Outreach - Service Learning for StorytellersMy experience with Actuality Media was not what I expected - but what I hoped for. As a relative novice to documentary filmmaking, it was hard, stressful and frustrating work, but making a film with three other incredibly talented and intelligent women was so rewarding and an incredible learning experience. Also shout out to our incredible production supervisors who I would not have gotten through editing week without!
We are very glad you had such a good experience traveling with us! Our Production Supervisors certainly are incredible, and so is the film that your crew made!
Unforgettable experience
September 25, 2019by: Quitetoasty - United KingdomProgram: Documentary Outreach - Service Learning for StorytellersAmazing experience working in Da Nang, Vietnam. I started with little experience or knowledge of film production and came away feeling confident to pursue this as a career, thanks to Actuality Media's comprehensive and rigorous training programme. And what better place to learn than in a totally unfamiliar environment with a bunch of new people. Had a great time getting to know the various characters and personalities of the community surrounding our change maker placement, and even opted to stay after the programme ended and volunteer with this organization. Thanks AM!
You are most welcome! We're so glad you had such a good experience. Keep going on great adventures!
Actuality Abroad Programs
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Actuality Abroad's Documentary Outreach is a month-long immersive filmmaking workshop where you learn documentary production, ethical storytellin...
Interviews
Read interviews from alumni or staff

Michael Serpell
Participated in 2016
Michael is an ambitious, passionate and positive media student currently studying a Bachelor of Communications (Media) at RMIT University. A dedicated...

Michael Serpell
Participated in 2016
There is something unique and wonderful about traveling overseas and having unforgettable experiences that help shape you as a person. To me going abroad is a key essential to a purposeful life, knowing there's a way to make a positive impact on the world through facilitators such as Actuality Media honestly makes the world a better place and makes you a better person.

Max Jean-Louis
Participated in 2016
Max is from Florida and went to University of Central Florida. He is now a Production Assistant and has worked on shows like Sesame Street, SNL, Buzzf...

Max Jean-Louis
Participated in 2016
I wanted to figure out what it was like to be working in a different country. I love traveling and thought I could learn a lot from the classes they offered.

Audrey Fancher
Interviewed in 2019
Audrey is a Pacific Northwest native who is back in her Oregon stomping grounds. With a Bachelor of Arts in International Development, she taught Engl...

Audrey Fancher
Interviewed in 2019
What inspired you to travel abroad?
I was immediately drawn to their work with changemakers, and supporting grassroots innovation that is happening around the world. It is so important to tell these stories of resilience and creativity in communities different from our own.
Awards
Check out awards and recognitions Actuality Abroad has received
