As a sophomore in college, I was so tired of going to class every day. I was tired of being broke and breaking nights studying. I was bored of being in the same city where I grew up and decided that The Disney College Program would be the best thing for my mental sanity. I mean, it was a job at the happiest place on earth. How bad could it really be?
I decided to do the Fall Advantage program which meant that I would leave home in June and stay in Florida until January. At the time this all sounded amazing, and too good of an opportunity to pass up. I packed my bags and went to Florida.
Upon arriving, I was greeted by awesome roommates. We all hit it off! By the way, we did not know eachother prior to that day because I had chosen to be 'spontaneous' and room with 5 strangers. I am so thankful they were normal.
I started working and became used to the routine of putting on an itchy costume every morning. I didn't mind the bus schedule or even the hot weather. My days were long and every night I would prepare my self for a 13 hour shift (or longer). It was cool having two days off out of the week to go to the Disney parks (which you can get in for free).
That was my life every day for 2 months. The last week of July, I received a very sad phone call from home. One of my close relatives was extremely sick. My heart broke and I went home for the funeral. Being home I realized something, I had spent my whole life trying to get away. At that very moment I wanted nothing more than to be with my family.
I knew I had to go back to Florida but it was tough to leave my family behind. In my mind, I knew I had made a commitment to WDW, but I also knew that this was a moment in my families lives that we needed each other the most. My whole family was proud of me for being bold on my decision of leaving home. I had little cousins who looked up to me. And I had a doubting father to prove wrong.
For weeks I was unable to sleep. I would toss and turn and even started having panic attacks. I was in the happiest place on earth, but I was no longer happy. I knew I was no longer where I was meant to be.
I loved my Disney College Program experience. I am so grateful to it for opening so many doors for me, and allowing me to get out of my comfort zone. It is because of the DCP that I now know that I can achieve any goal that I set out for myself. However, being there felt like I was a world away from the people I loved. I didn't quit because I was unhappy, I quit because I experienced it and felt as though it was right to go back home.I would have quit if I never tried. In end, I am happy with my decision because it took me leaving home to realize how good I had it.
