Program Reviews

I completed an internship in New York with the help of ABI. I felt supported through the entire process - which I found particularly helpful during the confusing visa application process and of course during the big transition to living overseas. Even now, after the completion of my internship, I still have access to that same support and guidance. The company I was placed with fit perfectly with my career objectives and I learned more than I could have ever hoped for. I also lived with three other ABI members - who I know will be lifelong friends of mine. I had the time of my life and I have ABI to thank for that.

I was a recent graduate when I decided to pursue an internship abroad with ABI. ABI gave me opportunities to connect with like-minded people and connect me with young professionals who can guide and mentor me towards my goal in my career. Having a strong community and relationship is the most important thing to advance in every industry. ABI has a solid network in New York and helps connect easily through its network portal. I'm very surprised at how Laura, founder of the program, could manage to distribute her time for every participant to give a personal mentorship. ABI is a perfect mentorship program for young professionals to grow and connect globally in the creative industry.

I am Leo, I live in Australia and I did a visual effects internship through ArtBound in New York.

Before my ArtBound internship I'd never been over seas by myself so doing a visual effects internship in New York seemed close to impossible. ArtBound set up interviews with a few VFX studios and helped me prepare for them by giving me feedback on my resume and website. Once I was positioned in New York it didn't take long to make friends since ArtBound had set me up in a house with other Australian's who were also doing internships through ArtBound. This internship was the first job I've had in the visual effects industry and Chimney was a great company to start my career off. The work they started me off doing was basic but over time they gave me more and more challenging and interesting tasks.

I spent four months in New York as a design intern and the whole process was incredibly seamless thanks to ABI. Their team worked really hard to make sure I had the best experience possible and allowed me to make the most of my time in NY. Being in NY is a scary place to be alone but ABI made sure that we always felt like there was a group to turn to have fun with. The whole experience was incredibly rewarding for my career and was tailored to my specific needs as a designer. They went above and beyond to try and set me up for the future.

Honestly the whole experience from start to finish was incredible. The teaching and advice given is crucial to starting a career and having an international experience globalises your understanding of your chosen industry. It is hard for creatives to get started in their field but with Artbound I no longer have to worry about my jump into the industry.

The time I spent living in New York City is unforgettable. It will always be that "time I lived in NYC" when I refer back to it for the rest of my life. I had more than just a traveller's experience of the city, I lived like the locals did. I caught the train everyday, I got up early for work and I ate where the locals ate. After a bit of time you slowly transition into becoming a New Yorker (or whichever city you choose to go to) and that just enriches your time abroad.

Even in the more difficult parts of the experience that were sometimes unexpected Artbound was there as quick as possible to help me in the best way possible. Having people there and such a good supportive team, made these pressures go away.

I want to thank the entire Artbound team for taking me on this experience that has not only shaped the beginnings of my career but also one of the best experiences of my life!

Without ABI, I wouldn’t have met like-minded people who are just as passionate and creative at this age. I had the opportunity to form a network that helped not only push professional aspirations, but also meaningful friendships.

My NYC internship has given me a step in the creative industry far earlier than I would have ever imagined. ABI catered to my goals and with this personalised experience, helped make the integration - visa, portfolio and resume workshops, interview training - as seamless as possible. They helped connect me with an internship opportunity that I would've never been able to gain this early on in my career. Through this internship, it helped answer questions about what I want to achieve and learn even more in my career, which is an invaluable experience that’s helped shaped my passion in this industry.

Just returned from NY a couple days ago and all I have to say is great things about it & ABI. I was nervous going into the program for obvious reasons but they made the whole process a breeze. They organised or helped organise pretty much everything from the accommodation to the visa to the placement so you have to worry about as little as possible. Plus, the CEO of the company is literally a phone call away at all times, is super responsive and never once did it seem like I was bothering her. On top of this the network of local people they set you up with is amazing and super useful to have while you're in the city.

I could detail my unreal time in New York but I feel like New York speaks for itself; it was an amazing experience but at the end of the day without ABI providing the platform for me to get out there I wouldn't have had any of it. Beforehand I had my doubts about wasting time, money etc but I can say confidently that there is not a bone in my body that regrets the last 4 months and I can only recommend that you go ahead and apply to ABI, every other ABI member I met has said the same thing; you just gotta do it.

I was placed with Freunde von Freunden, an online magazine that produces online multi-media content based in Berlin, Germany. From portraits, articles, podcasts, events and mix-tapes FvF seems to have a stake in a tonne of different projects which for me, was extremely enticing. I worked an in-house audio production intern and was given the opportunity to take on a multitude of tasks in this field. I was editing, mixing, mastering podcasts, designing sound for video portraits, composing & producing bespoke musical pieces for company showreels & promo materials. There was never a dull moment! I had flexibility and freedom to work in the office or from home depending on the task and felt both valued and supported by the company. The office was located right in the heart of the ultra-trendy Kreuzberg neighbourhood of Berlin, making for some cool adventures when going for lunch or commuting.

This internship has been hugely valuable in expanding my network in Europe as well as helping me broaden my professional skills. Due to the varied tasks I was asked to work on, I was pushed out of my comfort zone and challenged to take on projects I never thought I would when in university. I am very proud of the work I’ve done with FvF and made valuable connections that have already helped me further my career.

With the help of Laura from ArtBound Initiative, my CV and portfolio are polished and refined. I have also been advised in the best way to approach interviews with prospective employers in the creative sector, and business etiquette. ABI have taught me a number of valuable lessons, from how to promote your work, how to network, even how to manage your social media to be more employable!

ABI’s network of interns also look out for each other and do whatever they can to help you settle in your new city. From banking advice, city registration or even where to find the best restaurants or events, they’ve got your back!

Applying for the ABI program was probably the best decision I ever made! I had the chance to work for a prestigious company right after graduating, and gained a lot of professional experience which isn't always easy in the creative industry. ABI gave me the chance to end up in a company I could otherwise have never even dreamed of. The network and experience I gained here will definitely influence the rest of my career. ABI was also a great help in all the administrative problems that come with working abroad, like arranging the visa and finding a house. Last but not least, with ABI I had the chance to meet other young creatives that are going through the same experience, and making amazing friends from all over the world has probably been the best part of my experience.

The ABI crew are really helpful and supportive. They're also pretty much available all the time and their response time is really quick. It's cool that they always organise gallery visits and meet ups for the interns. Through this you get to meet other artists and it makes the whole experience more comfortable.
I was working with two artists, a painter and a performance artist. The overall experience was great. I have learnt a lot of practical skills and now have contacts in Berlin that I can contact any time and I know that they will be supportive and give me the best advice. The artists are really friendly and welcoming. It didn't feel like I was working for them but with them which makes a huge difference. And I really enjoyed the fact that they allowed me to be involved in their work.