This time last year I was awaiting my departure to move to Orlando, Florida, for 4 months which later turned to 6 (sorry again to my parents.) I had been selected for the Disney College Program and was beyond excited. These are just a few of the reasons/memories I advocate for everyone to look into applying.
1. You meet people from around the world. I can thank the program for introducing me to people all across not only the United States, but also the world. I have friends from New York City to California to Thailand. It was so interesting to talk with others about how things differed between the places we each called home. I was able to interact with customers from across the globe as well - making their Disney experience a little more magical any way that I could. It was such a unique experience to be able to be learn about different lifestyles and cultures from so many interesting people!
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2. My roommates became my family. My program started at the end of January and my birthday was at the first of February. It was safe to say that I would be feeling a little homesick and lonely and of course working. I had orientation the day of my birthday and was worn out by time I got off my hour and a half long bus ride home, but when I walked in to my apartment my roommates were all standing there in the dark waiting to surprise me. From that moment on I knew we would be best friends. Whether it be Melissa and I spending all our off days meeting characters and spending money on overpriced park food, Mckenzie and I having dance parties, or Michaela and I trying to rent and watch every movie Vista Way had to offer - these girls were always there for me. I want to also point out that one time I was so excited for Michaela to get home from work that I dropped my phone on the kitchen tile and had to buy a flip phone from Walgreens (after my parents insisted for a week) that I ended up using for 6 weeks until I moved back home. If you don't get that excited about hanging out with your roommates than you are missing out. I love you guys and can't imagine what my program would have been without you all!!!
3. Vista Way. When deciding where to live for our program all 6 of my roommates and I decided Vista Way was definitely not it. We had read everywhere that it was the oldest, loudest, and most undesirable. Well as the odds would have it, Vista Way it was. What all these blogs failed to mention though was that this apartment complex was walking distance from Chickfila and when you don't have a car - that is HUGE. We were placed in the building right beside the basketball court and swap which was also pretty neat, I became very fond of the odd birds that seemed to only live at Vista Way. I truly believe that living at Vista Way only made my experience that much more amazing and packed with hilarious memories.
4. I never thought I would say this, but I truly miss working at Sunset Ranch Market. I was humiliated by my outfit at first, but it grew on me. I always did love gauchos as a kid - and they were very light for those 100 degrees and sunny days. I miss Pop Century as well, because unlike Sunset they had air conditioning to offer. There isn't anything more satisfying than air conditioning on a hot Florida day.
5. I made lifelong friends that I miss so much and wish that life would slow down so we could all meet back in Disney and hangout and not work and have the best days ever again. This is to you Collin, Nick, Nathan, Melissa, Danielle, all my Pop Century, and all the other beautiful people I met. I couldn't have gotten through days at work or even nights on the party bus without you all! Each of you added to my College Program and I am forever grateful.
6. Miami. I think my trip to Miami alone was reason to do my program. Never forget (unless you are talking about a beach towel because then that is definitely okay to forget @kenzie @michaela.) There were more than enough hilarious memories from Miami, but I have to say for me it's a tie between our experience on the Greyhound to get there or the fact that we spent $56 on a non-alcoholic drink.
The Disney College Program truly changed my life. I can't imagine where I would be had I not done it, there is no other adventure quite like it.
"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." -Walt Disney
