WorldStrides Updates

WorldStrides Intern Spotlight: The Importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

By WorldStrides Intern, Andrew Chong.

Andrew Chong is a second year Business Administration student at Sir. Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario who plans to graduate in April 2025. This summer, Andrew is interning with WorldStrides from their Toronto, Canada office. Andrew’s mentor is Vanessa Faulkner, but he also occasionally reports to Alana Malins and Joe Wyatt. He primarily works in the marketing department but also collaborates within the sales department. Andrew first learned about WorldStrides from a family member, who sent him the internship application. “After reading the form and doing some research on WorldStrides I became interested in the position,” says Andrew. “I had applied during the end of my second semester of school and found the idea of applying what I was learning to the real-world fascinating.” Although his experiences are limited, the impact that both his time at school and his WorldStrides internship has had up to this point have played a significant role in his ambitions. 

What impacts have the past year had on your life? 

 “As of summer 2022, I have only completed my first year of university. During my time as a first-year student, I grew more as an individual in that one year than I had in my entire previous life. The forced responsibility and independence aided me as I learned to work hard and create habits that would help me to become a better student but also a better person. While working through classes, studying for exams, and living life away from my family, I became comfortable with the idea that this was the start of a journey that would end in success. I have always been a determined person, but as I grow, I am understanding what it takes to be successful: hard work, dedication, and respect. These ideologies are accompanied by another belief I hold; you can never truly be successful unless you are happy and content with your life as well,” says Andrew. He expounded on these thoughts, adding, “I dedicate a substantial portion of my growth as an individual to my first year of university and think that I have started to grasp these two beliefs during this period. First, being successful can be found with hard work, dedication, and respect. And second, happiness trumps all; what is life without joy?”  

In what ways is diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) important to you? How do you see DEI represented in your personal life and interactions? 

“DEI is quickly rising to the top of business’ lists when it comes to incentives,” says Andrew. In his time working with WorldStrides, he has seen how companies with an internal purpose focused on DEI can create competitive advantages, usually including higher employee retention and increased customer satisfaction. Adding to this point, Andrew comments, “Many employees, want to work for a company that aligns with their own morals and values. I personally hold DEI as a key internal standard as it can show that a company genuinely cares about all their stakeholders. Having a work environment that is diverse, equitable and inclusive can make sure that everyone feels comfortable and welcomed.”  

DEI is not only applicable from a business standpoint but is important on a personal level as well. The benefits of any company’s DEI efforts can never fully come to fruition unless each individual commits to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of their personal and professional spheres of influence. Andrew continues to share his perspective, saying, “In my personal life and daily interactions, I try to be a person who is approachable, kind, and respectful. I feel that these three traits tie in closely to DEI. By showing characteristics such as these I can help others feel like they matter, that they have the same opportunities and that they deserve to be treated the same as everyone else, no matter who they are, what they look like, or what they believe.”  

What have you learned from this internship and how will it help you accomplish your goals for the future? 

“During my internship with WorldStrides, a fellow intern and myself travelled to Blue Mountain, Ontario. We experienced Canadian culture, along with being able to take part in a “tour like” day trip – similar to the ones hosted by WorldStrides. While being able to see amazing sights such as the actual mountain, and other attractions, we were able to eat a great lunch, enjoy our day trip as interns, and gain a better understanding of what we offer here at WorldStrides. Having the opportunity to see firsthand what a WorldStrides trip looks like gives valuable insight into the importance of every aspect of the company.” This is just one example Andrew shares of his experiences as part of the WorldStrides Professional Internship Program.  

Of the day-to-day operations he has observed and contributed to, Andrew says, “This internship has exposed me to processes which I was previously unaware of. I have seen what it is like to work in different departments and how much work goes into running a successful business. This internship is my first real exposure to administrative work, and I know that everything I have learned will aid me in being more confident in myself as a worker. By learning more about myself and others throughout the internship, I will be able to better work in all business settings, with WorldStrides as a great reference to what a well-tuned company looks like.” Andrew can take the valuable experiences and transferable skills he has gained throughout his internship wherever his next journey takes him.  

In reference to his goals, Andrew says, “I want to be able to be a worker that is helpful and makes work enjoyable. I want to be a person who is held in high regard, as a successful, approachable, and helpful person. Specifically, I would like to see myself in a management role where I can help build employees to the highest standards, and help create not only successful individuals, but a successful organization.” 

Andrew brings a unique perspective of experiences and knowledge to the WorldStrides team of professional interns. 

The WorldStrides Professional Internship Program is dedicated to the promotion and development of the same skills and objectives of all WorldStrides’ travel education programs and opportunities, “…to enable interns to see beyond the workplace and to see the world–and themselves– in new ways.”  

For more information about WorldStrides and all that we offer, visit us at www.worldstrides.com.