About The Founders
Kanji and Sebastian met at Cornell University on the first day at orientation. Coincidentally, they later found out their dorm rooms were in the same hall and quickly became friends. Since the first day at Cornell, they developed a sibling-like bond and have grown together to the young adults they are today.
At Cornell, they were surprised by the lack of cross-cultural understanding amongst students on campus. Students from different cultural communities tended to stick to their groups, and understanding of each other’s backgrounds was evidently lacking. They hypothesized that this behavior was not innate, but rather stemmed from a lack of cultural awareness that started from childhood. They started Worldly as an attempt to bring the youth to a shared consciousness of the world that we live in, one that emphasizes compassion, kindness, and listening. They have resided in New York City since graduation, 2021.
Sebastian Dittgen
Co-Founder
Born to parents from Hong Kong and Germany and raised in New York City, Sebastian was introduced to many cultures from an early age. He holds three citizenships (and once held four!) due to his complex heritage. After graduating from Cornell University with degrees in Biological Sciences and Global Health, Sebastian worked as a public health researcher for the Global Livingston Institute (GLI), a non-profit based in East Africa that focuses on community-driven innovations regarding health, environment, and economy. For the GLI, he has organized and facilitated the Global Scholars Fellowship Program, a 4-week intensive virtual course for university and master’s level students on international community development in which students from 10+ countries have participated. Sebastian has worked part-time for the past six years as a contracted English tutor for students in Shanghai, giving him valuable virtual teaching experience with school-aged children.
He plans to pursue a PhD in Global Health & Anthropology in the future.
In his free time, Sebastian is seeking to visit every country of the world. He can identify the capital and flag of every country. He’s also an avid birder and once had a pet Red-Tailed Hawk!
Kanji Katayama
Co-Founder
Kanji Katayama was raised in Port Washington, NY, by immigrant Japanese parents. By spending most of his childhood summers in Japan, he has experienced two vastly different cultures from a young age. During his time at Cornell University, he often questioned the trajectory of pursuing a traditional, professional career. Observing his peers at school, he noticed a pattern of chasing excessive financial wealth while sacrificing passions and convictions, turning a blind eye to personal wellbeing and altruism. Deep down, he knew this path was not for him; instead, he decided to pursue entrepreneurship later in his Cornell career. The path of entrepreneurship appealed to him because it gave him agency in his professional efforts, progressing towards the goal of benefiting the greater good. Kanji graduated with a degree in Design and Environmental Analysis concentrating on Sustainable Design and a minor in business. This academic path created a foundation for him to explore his passions in sustainable development and entrepreneurship. Kanji created Worldly with Sebastian to make a positive impact.
He enjoys his free time being active outdoors, especially playing soccer and skiing. On rainy days, he enjoys finding new music, and having philosophical conversations.
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