A passport to success: Shifting the conversation with Aalia Dinesh

At Sabre, we are committed to embracing and celebrating our diversity. In this inclusion & engagement series, Shifting the Conversation, our people share their stories to engage in open dialog and shed light on their broad, rich and unique perspectives. Join us as we follow Aalia Dinesh, an intern in Sabre’s Singapore office, as she shares how curiosity and courage shaped her first internship, blending her love for travel and tech into a journey of growth and opportunity.

My name is Aalia Dinesh and I’m a first-year bioengineering student at Nanyang Technological University, also pursuing a second major in business. Growing up in Singapore, I was encouraged to explore a wide range of interests from science and business to classical Indian dance, which I’ve pursued professionally. That curiosity shaped my path and instilled in me values like discipline, curiosity and community.   

Travel has always fascinated me, especially through stories from my dad, who works at Sabre. This summer, I had the opportunity to experience his world firsthand as a Airline Distribution intern on Sabre’s Airline Distribution team in Singapore. Working at the same company gave me a deeper understanding of how his work and now mine helps shape the travel experience for others.  

Interning at Sabre allowed me to combine my love for travel with a desire to understand how things work behind the scenes. I was amazed to learn how air and land transportation options are integrated with accommodations through the Global Distribution System (GDS), then distributed to travelers through agencies and travel-tech platforms.  

Starting my first corporate experience was intimidating, but I chose to see every challenge as a chance to learn. Sabre’s “be brave” value guided me to take on new tasks, ask questions and lean on my mentors and teammates. Being brave meant showing up with an open mind and trusting that growth happens outside your comfort zone.  

One of the most memorable highlights from my internship was helping prepare for a meeting with Singapore Airlines. It gave me valuable insight into how strong, long-term partnerships are built and maintained in the industry. Another proud moment was designing a flyer for a joint campaign with Malaysian Airlines, a first for me. With my mentor’s support, I pushed past my nerves and delivered something I was proud of, which gave me the confidence to take on a similar project for Flynas.  

To the next group of interns: My advice is simple: be brave and don’t be afraid to try. Learn from your team, embrace every opportunity and remember that failure is just another step on the path to success. Sabre is a place where you’ll be supported, challenged and inspired to grow in ways you never expected.  

As for my own “Passport to Success,” this internship has been truly transformative. I’ve learned to analyze data, think strategically and adapt quickly in a fast-moving industry. More importantly, I’ve learned to trust myself and stay curious through every challenge. I’ll carry that mindset forward, whether my path leads deeper into travel or toward new opportunities in tech and business.  

Sabre is shifting the conversation with stories from curious, bold and committed team members globally. Throughout our internship program, we prioritize hands-on experience, empowering interns to develop new skillsets, pursue passions and explore out-of-the-box solutions. Learn more about how you can kick start your career at Sabre by checking out our internship opportunities.