In this rapidly developing world, an increasing number of young aspirants set their sights on the international stage, proactively pursuing long-term personal and professional growth. The World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), as the core institution of global tourism, not only shoulders the responsibility of promoting sustainable tourism but also provides interns from around the globe with once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunities.
Currently working on a master's degree in digital marketing and analytics at the Macao University of Tourism, Shea Qin Yusi has always been passionate about the tourism industry. She aspires to explore career development opportunities in a broader field. Earlier, through the university’s information channels, she learned that UN Tourism, as the core institution of global tourism policy and advocacy, was recruiting interns, and decided to seize this rare opportunity and start preparing application materials.
Hailing from Hunan province, Shea gained an in-depth understanding of the latest operational modes and industry trends in global tourism through a three-month internship in the Regional Department of Asia and the Pacific (RDAP) of the organisation in Spain. She also interacted with elite professionals from around the world, expanding her international perspective while enhancing her professional skills and problem-solving abilities comprehensively in a cross-cultural setting.
Reflecting on her days at UN Tourism, Shea considers it an unforgettable experience filled with challenges and meaningful rewards. Working alongside colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds, she built solid partnerships through open, respectful communication, mutual understanding, and trust, as well as the discovery of shared visions. “The primary challenge was adapting to a fully English-speaking work environment, which required extra effort to improve my communication skills and ensure effective collaboration,” she explained.
At RDAP – at a rapid work pace – Shea often found herself assisting with multiple projects and activities amidst diverse and demanding content, learning to “efficiently prioritise urgent tasks, maintain clear communication with supervisors, and seek timely feedback to ensure productivity and avoid unnecessary delays”.
Discussing the growth and value gained from this internship, Shea believes that “being exposed to the importance of digital transformation and data analysis in the industry further enhanced her critical thinking skills”. She played a vital role in the team, providing technical support, assisting in data collection and analysis for report writing, and exploring digital tools to improve work efficiency. She also developed relevant guidelines to help teammates seamlessly integrate these tools into their daily work.
During her internship, Shea undertook many rewarding tasks, such as assisting with the preparation of senior officials' speech materials for meetings, designing event manuals, executing initial plans, supporting the reception of member state delegations, and coordinating follow-up communication related to events. Through these tasks, Shea developed efficient research skills and gained professional experience in writing structured reports and creating clear presentations.
One of Shea's most impressive experiences was participating in behind-the-scenes preparations relevant to an international project. Despite tight deadlines and time differences, she ensured the smooth execution of events with meticulous attention to detail, exceptional coordination and management skills, and resilience under pressure. "Handling event logistics for the first time, even when tasks had to be completed within days, helped me enhance my flexibility and resilience in problem-solving."