At City Wonders, our guides are one of our greatest assets. They are passionate about the places they explore, much more entertaining than Google and have the sort of local knowledge that makes guide books out of date as soon as they are published. With hundreds of tours running every day of the year in multiple locations across Europe, we have a whole department dedicated to making sure they are in the right place at the right time. This is why we seek out Guide Scheduling Interns.
Nina Westervoss started as an intern in City Wonders this year and she impressed us so much that we offered her a full-time position. We caught up with her over coffee to ask her a few questions about her experience:
Nina receiving her certificate from City Wonders Managing Director, Alberto Ceccarelli
1. Tell us about your background and studies and why you wanted to do an internship in City Wonders.
As I have always been interested in the Tourism sector, I began to study International Management with Tourism in Germany almost three years ago. Before graduating by submitting my thesis, my course plan contained an obligatory internship abroad. That turned out to be the best part of the whole time at my university.
2. What department did you do your internship in?
I worked in the Guide Scheduling Department helping to coordinate an extremely busy schedule of guides for tours across the major cities in Europe.
3. What were you expecting from your internship?
I was looking for a unique experience in an English-speaking tourism company, and of course, the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica Tour had been voted the no.1 tour in the world so it caught my attention immediately.
4. What was the best part of your internship, and why?
What I liked the most about my internship was the fact that I felt like an important part of the team from Day One. The interns are trusted and are given serious responsibilities. We had our everyday routines and then newer special tasks were added from time to time. I gained and improved many key abilities that are extremely useful for my future, such as time and stress management, organization skills and problem-solving.
5. What was your biggest challenge with your internship?
It was challenging in the beginning to understand the differences between all the different kind of tours. Each one had a different procedure with it. I thought that the language barrier would be a challenge, but this became much easier from week to week. City Wonders is a very multicultural company.
6. Did the internship provide you with any insights that you were not expecting?
I didn't realize how the different departments worked together. This helps to create the best outcome for the company and, of course, for its clients. It really is a cross-functional operation.
7. How do you feel this internship has helped you develop professionally?
Thanks to my time at City Wonders, I could grow professionally as well as personally and return to Germany with precious experiences, more self-confidence and unforgettable memories.
8. Do you have any fun or special memories that contributed to your journey here?
The whole time was great. The team was lovely from the beginning. They asked me to stay longer as an agent weeks before I left. At first, I said no. It was so cool when I told them on the last day of my internship that I could stay and we were all so happy that we don't have to say goodbye yet. Now I'm part of the City Wonders team!
To learn more about City Wonders and the teams that organize the best guides in the world, visit our Careers page.
