---
title: 'Tour Guide/Course Leader at WorldStrides'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/tour-guide-course-leader-worldstrides-1919-gallows-road-suite-700-vienna-va-jgn4rb6jzgeq'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-11'
---

# Tour Guide/Course Leader at WorldStrides

- **Company:** WorldStrides
- **Location:** 1919 Gallows Road Suite 700 Vienna VA 22182 / Washington, DC
- **Posted:** 2024-12-31
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/world4822stri986des/jobs/4464555008

## 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:

At WorldStrides, the experience is everything. By joining our team you help provide moments that delight and open up the world of learning. Our team is truly passionate about making each experience a once in a lifetime opportunity for each traveler that is easy to manage from A to Z. Each journey is different, which is why we offer a broad range of experiential learning programs for groups and individuals of all ages throughout their lifelong learning journey.

Our business is season-specific. We hire only people who are available March through June or some significant portion of that time. Our programs are fast-paced and require several miles of walking each day in all types of weather while talking and managing groups of up to 55 people. We are an accredited travel school and the majority of our travelers are 8th-graders. Our Course Leaders must be able to engage students in interactive learning. As a school, we require an FBI background check and TB test as a condition of employment. Our Course Leaders can be placed all over the United States to include New York, Boston, Chicago, California, Washington D.C., Florida, and more.

Responsibilities:

- Educationally and Performance focused trips
- Ideal for people who love to teach, but do not want to be constrained by a classroom
- Support offered through WorldStrides On-Call with 24-hour emergency number for assistance
- Coordination and security assistance provided at each hotel
- Innovative professional development, training methods and materials
- Detailed and customized itinerary provided for each group
- Company has over 50 years of experience in planning programs that work
- Competitive compensation packages with a discretionary bonus award system

Qualifications:

- College and/or advanced degree preferred
- Possession of current Tour Guide License in cities where a license is required
- Background in Education, Travel, Performance, U.S. History, Social Studies or Science
- Historical and logistical knowledge of assigned region
- Prefer applicants live within the region where they will work
- Availability/flexibility of schedule during spring and summer
- Ability to adapt to unexpected changes to provide the best experience possible
- Attendance at annual education seminars and participation in ride-along orientation trips
- Highly skilled at multi-tasking and problem solving in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent communication skills; specifically, engaging groups and relaying information in a clear and interesting manner
- Experience with and passion for working with students
- Fun, energetic, and customer service-oriented
- Physically capable of walking several miles a day; ability to move quickly and remain on feet most of the day

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
- [Program Support Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/program-support-specialist-worldstrides-merida-dq5vwjnrqhw7) — 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