Case Studies
- Christopher Loudon
- Christopher More
- Heather Price
- Julia Baum
- Dayna Guay
- Daniel Booth
- Emma Louise Flood
- Helen Baker
- Lorin Adams
- Laura Hannah
- Umair Iqbal
- Kurt Anthony
- Rachel Perry
Helen Baker
Words just can't describe the 12 weeks I spent on Disney's International College Program. I can honestly say it was the 'time of my life' as Mickey and co. sing as they bounce on down Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom in the 3 o clock parade!
Looking back now I can't believe how all of it started. I first heard about Yummy Jobs through my now boyfriend, at the start of my first term at University. We were dating at the time and he accidently mentioned he had applied to work for Disney in the summer. He went bright red, as though that was something he perhaps shouldn't have brought up but it was something I have always dreamt of doing and so I was very interested!
Pretending not to be bothered so as not to steal his thunder, later that day I browsed the website and on discovering how easy it was to apply, entered my details, attached a CV and clicked 'send'. Whilst my heart was pounding and I couldn't quite believe I'd just done that, my boyfriend came into the room and after looking at the screen he turned to me with a huge grin and said "what have you gone and done?"
Well, quite simply I had just applied for the experience of a lifetime. Literally moments later, Hannah replied to me inviting me to their presentation and a short preliminary interview the very next day. There, I met one of my closest friends who now lives with me, which just goes to show the length and depth of Disney's magic.
The guys from the presentation were so relaxed, so happy and so friendly that I couldn't help but fall a little bit more in love with the program. They explained every single detail, from how many people we could be living with, to how we would go about applying for a visa. The interview itself wasn't at all nerve-wracking, but more an informal get-to-know you chat.
The next thing to do was to wait and see whether we made it through to the next stage and when I was invited to another interview I was ecstatic. When I found out I had made it all the way through and been offered a role, I knew I had been offered the chance of a lifetime.
Between then and actually flying out it was a very busy and manic time full of forms to fill in, sheets to photocopy, flights to book and clothes to pack but Yummy Jobs were there every step of the way with step by step guides on 'how to' do everything, and nothing was missed out.
Of course, not everything is perfect. Sometimes there were low points, such as the long hours, the early mornings (when we were just finishing!) or when you just can't get that night off when everyone else is going to the beach, but I can't honestly say there wasn't a single second I regretted leaving home.
I found my work to be not only fun but also extremely rewarding. There were many times when my eyes welled up with tears and my heart swelled with happiness just knowing that I had made it and was doing something incredible. I distinctly remember one of my first shifts, when I was door greeting out of Main Stree USA and the Main Street Trolley came down, singing "We're walking right down the middle of Main Street USA" and I just thought, wow. I really am here!
My favourite part of any day was making 'Magical Moments', something I was very lucky to be able to do a lot of in my line of work and the smiles and laughs from guests just made my heart light up. I will never forget the look on the little princesses' face when they get their first dress, so THEY can be like a real Disney princess. I always made a point of saying something like 'There you go Cinderella, now you can go to the ball!' and their excited smile, and the proud look on their parents' face is something I know I will never forget. One little girl invited me and Mickey to her birthday party! Just knowing that you are part of a team who make magic happen is something that is really quite special.
I know I have made friends for life from the program and from all over the globe. The experiences I shared with them are memories that will last a lifetime and I will never, ever forget how lucky I am to have had the opportunity to meet them, to have such an amazing summer and to really discover myself as a person. Besides that, my boyfriend and I truly fell in 'Disney love' and I feel very privelleged that I got to share that time with him. Really, it's like Disney just knew. Magic hey?
All I have left to say is; Dream It. Do It. Disney!
