What is your favorite travel memory?
Without a doubt, visiting the pyramids at Teotihuacán in Mexico is a must for history buffs. They are unbelievable in size and scale, and seeing them in person made me even prouder of my family heritage. International travel experiences can be life-changing, so I would strongly recommend applying to a program like The Intern Group to have the opportunity to contribute to and learn from a host organization/company, as well as explore the history and culture of a new place!
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
As an Admissions & Communications Support Specialist, I am in constant contact with students from all over the world. This allows me to learn as well from each student who brings a unique perspective and cultural background to the program. I am fortunate to have the chance to speak with students from the US, the UK, Mexico, China, India, Spain, Chile, Hong Kong, Argentina, Ireland, Lebanon, Egypt, South Africa, and elsewhere on a daily basis! Such encounters encourage me to take a global outlook and perspective in my daily life as well.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
There are so many to tell. An especially impactful story was hearing from a US student that he had been offered a full-time position at his host organization in Ireland. Unfortunately, he had to return to the US to complete his university degree, but he was so proud to have received the offer and was very thankful for the development and opportunity that his program with the Intern Group provided.
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
With so many amazing programs, this is a very difficult question for me to answer, but I would likely be very interested in doing an Art, Photography, and Graphic Design program in Tokyo. I have done work as a freelance photographer, so it would be amazing to learn from a Japanese company and dive into the art/photography scene in Tokyo. Japan, obviously, has a rich tradition of filmmakers, photographers, and artists (from Hokusai to Ozu to Kawauchi), so it would be fantastic to experience some of this industry first-hand.
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
The Intern Group is an especially internationally-minded program that believes in the importance of professional development and experiences across national borders. In today's age, where too many are fearful of new cultures and experiences, we instead encourage people to embrace the growth that comes from learning in a new place.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
A successful company keeps its community first. Meaning, it understands the public it serves and seeks to work with those community members to listen, learn, and serve them. A successful company should always be willing to embrace change and take bold steps to grow. A company that is able to keep up with the rapid global and technological changes--while maintaining its ethical positions--is a company that will leave a lasting impact. The Intern Group is an educational organization that certainly ticks these boxes, so feel free to email me at stephen.borunda@theinterngroup.com to learn more about the program.