---
title: 'Program Support Specialist at WorldStrides'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/program-support-specialist-worldstrides-merida-dq5vwjnrqhw7'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-11'
---

# Program Support Specialist at WorldStrides

- **Company:** WorldStrides
- **Location:** Merida, Mexico
- **Posted:** 2026-09-09
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/world4822stri986des/jobs/5409435008

## Job description

Company Introduction

WorldStrides is the global leader in educational travel and experiential learning. The company was founded in 1967 to provide middle school travel programs to Washington, D.C. and has grown to provide a wide range of programs for more than half a million students annually to over 100 countries around the world. WorldStrides offers experiential learning programs in educational travel, performing arts, language immersion, career exploration, service-learning, study abroad, and sports. Each of these experiences helps students to see beyond the classroom and to see the world – and themselves – in new ways.

Job Description:

This is a support role on the Higher Ed team where we work closely with internal teammates to complete admin tasks. While we have standard tasks and standard processes, every trip is different, and each day is different. We can be building itineraries, creating registration sites, creating resources for our travelers in case of emergency, or any random task to support.

Responsibilities:

- The PSS will work closely with a team of Account Managers and Sales team members to support their responsibilities that include, but are not limited to:
- Provide excellent customer service to all program participants, clients, and internal teammates
- Assist with creating and maintaining online registration platforms
- Complete operational updates within GIS and other systems
- Organize and manage individual travel requests
- Assist in the collection of outstanding individual payments from program participants
- Develop template itineraries for various destinations including building out our online “app” itineraries
- Prepare all program related final documentation for distribution to travelers
- Create orientation and marketing materials for clients
- Disseminate travel related information to participants via email and phone
- Manage data from different registration portals and platforms
- Complete other general administrative tasks including, but not limited to phone calls and data entry projects
- Fulfill other projects as assigned by the management team

Qualifications:

- Fluent in English and Spanish
- Microsoft office proficiencies including Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint
- Strong teamwork skills; proactively seek out ways to add value
- Excellent written and oral communication skills - Advanced English
- Ability to multi-task and to prioritize to complete several projects
- Capacity to work independently in a fast-paced environment
- Strong attention to detail and organization details is a must
- Interest in global education with a basic knowledge of world markets, capital cities, languages spoken and currencies
- Bachelor’s Degree Desired

Work Perks:

- Fun & driven environment.
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage, life, accidental death and dismemberment, accident, critical illness, and disability insurance.
- +10% of gross salary as food stamps.
- 1 paid volunteer day & 25 PTO* days to start – accrue up to 28 over 3 years, 4 mental health days, and 5 bereavement days.
- Statutory Holidays by Mexican Federal Labor Law.
- Flexible work schedule providing on-site and hybrid opportunities.
- Encouraged participation in our Employee Resource Groups and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion council.
- Fitness opportunities.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Paid statutory parental leave.

WorldStrides, a global organization, is committed to educate and serve communities worldwide. Our commitment is fueled by the passion of our team members and partners to make experiential learning accessible, while also being socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible. Together, we accomplish this by investing in initiatives to promote inclusion, diversity, and sustainability.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, WorldStrides is committed to building a diverse workforce, supported by an environment that promotes inclusion and belonging. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

WorldStrides will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, J-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J or TN, or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire. Select seasonal roles may consider students on J-1 or F-1 visas.

## About WorldStrides

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: WorldStrides is the largest educational travel company in the United States, providing immersive travel experiences for K-12 and university students to learn beyond the classroom.
- **Entity Type**: Private (backed by Eurazeo; earlier investors include Metalmark Capital)
- **Headquarters**: Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
- **Founded**: 1964
- **Founders**: Phil Wendel (social studies teacher)

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Educational travel, experiential learning, student tourism, study abroad.
- **Target customers**: B2B (schools, educators, administrators) and B2C (students and parents). Primarily serves K-12 and higher education institutions.
- **Mission statement**: “Igniting a passion for lifelong learning, enabling learners to see beyond the classroom and to discover the world — and themselves — in new ways” [worldstrides.com/en-us/about](https://worldstrides.com/en-us/about).

## Products & Services
- **K-12 Teacher-Led Programs**: Customizable educational tours for classes, led by teachers, designed to bring curriculum to life.
- **K-12 Individual Student Programs**: Immersive career exploration, study abroad, and travel opportunities for students without a school group.
- **Higher Education Programs**: Faculty-led study abroad, service learning, internships, and research trips with transferable academic credit.
- **Heritage Festivals**: Performance-based travel experiences for music, dance, and theater groups.
- **Oxbridge Academic Programs**: Summer study programs at Oxford, Cambridge, and other prestigious institutions.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed (private company).
- **Key Metric**: Annual revenue of $125.1M (2025 estimate) – [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/worldstrides).
- **Total Funding**: $20.0M across 2 rounds (historically raised from Metalmark Capital and others).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Eurazeo (parent company), Metalmark Capital, partner universities worldwide.
- **Growth Signals**:
  - 1,364 employees (+19.7% YoY, +358 people) – [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/worldstrides).
  - Operations in 38 countries with on-the-ground support.
  - Over 10 million students served since 1964; 800,000+ students travel each year.
  - 48,589 LinkedIn followers (+61.4% YoY).

## Competitive Advantages
- **Scale & Experience**: 55+ years in educational travel, largest U.S. player with a vast global network.
- **Safety Infrastructure**: Extensive health & safety systems built over decades, critical for student travel.
- **Academic Rigor**: Programs tied to curriculum and transferable credit, trusted by educators.
- **Vertical Integration**: Owns the entire student journey from marketing to on-tour support.
- **Brand Trust**: Deep relationships with schools and administrators built over 55 years.

## Strategic Focus
- **Expanding Programs**: Continues to add individual student programs (career exploration, study abroad) and seasonal offerings (Oxbridge, Heritage Festivals).
- **Sustainability & Responsibility**: Committed to social, environmental, and ethical responsibility.
- **People First**: Investing in team member growth with tuition reimbursement, ERGs, and inclusive culture (from careers page).
- **Technology & Innovation**: Hiring in IT (Service Desk Analyst, Emergency Travel Coordinator) to modernize operations.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Purpose-driven, inclusive, and values-centered (“One Team, Elevated Standards,” “People and Communities First”). Employee resource groups (ERGs) foster community.
- **Work Environment**: Offices in Charlottesville, VA (HQ); Vienna, VA; Chicago, IL; Orlando, FL; Mérida, Mexico, and more. Hybrid/remote flexibility possible (not explicitly stated, but multiple office locations).
- **Perks & Benefits** (from [worldstrides.com/en-us/careers](https://worldstrides.com/en-us/careers)):
  - Generous PTO from day one.
  - Comprehensive medical, dental, prescription, vision insurance with HSA.
  - 401k with employer match.
  - 8 weeks paid parental leave for all new parents (including adoptive).
  - 4 paid mental health days per year.
  - Tuition reimbursement and certificate assistance.
  - Team member & family travel discounts on WorldStrides programs.
  - Discounts on car rentals, hotels, cruises via IATA membership.
  - Seasonal opportunities and internships for university students.
- **Growth & Learning**: Robust online learning library, specialized training, tuition reimbursement; “lifelong learners” ethos.

## Sources
1. [worldstrides.com/en-us/about](https://worldstrides.com/en-us/about) – Company story, mission, values, leadership.
2. [worldstrides.com/en-us/careers](https://worldstrides.com/en-us/careers) – Benefits, culture, hiring priorities.
3. [worldstrides.com/en-us](https://worldstrides.com/en-us) – Homepage overview and program highlights.
4. [job-boards.greenhouse.io/world4822stri986des](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/world4822stri986des) – Current job openings and roles.
5. [linkedin.com/company/worldstrides](https://www.linkedin.com/company/worldstrides) – Company size, revenue, funding, employee growth.

## Other roles at WorldStrides

- [Health & Safety Coordinator](https://feeny.ai/job/health-safety-coordinator-worldstrides-merida-jnnxwh6xwstz) — Merida, Mexico
- [Internship Placement Coordinator](https://feeny.ai/job/internship-placement-coordinator-worldstrides-madrid-jqnkc47n8cgd) — Madrid, Spain
- [Global Partnership Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/global-partnership-specialist-worldstrides-united-states-pwsawt4d82x6) — United States
- [International Program Consultant](https://feeny.ai/job/international-program-consultant-worldstrides-united-states-jdhmhqerrs0s) — United States
- [Senior Manager, Website Content](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-manager-website-content-worldstrides-united-states-tj6vsvwcwp4v) — United States
- [Manager, University Relations & Venue Operations](https://feeny.ai/job/manager-university-relations-venue-operations-worldstrides-united-states-7j987qbcg9kt) — United States
- [Senior Manager, Paid Media](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-manager-paid-media-worldstrides-united-states-bn6627h900kf) — United States
- [University & Venue Operations Coordinator](https://feeny.ai/job/university-venue-operations-coordinator-worldstrides-merida-f82j4h2aeebk) — Merida, Mexico
- [Senior Manager, Product Marketing](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-manager-product-marketing-worldstrides-vienna-g1sdskp37vep) — Vienna, VA / Charlottesville, VA / Austin, TX / East Coast Region
- [Senior Manager, Events & Partner Marketing](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-manager-events-partner-marketing-worldstrides-united-states-szwqqmyc5c6v) — United States