Tips and Tricks of applying part deux

Welcome to the second instalment of my tips and tricks of applying to the Walt Disney World International College Program.

Last time I said how I was waiting for the email from IntRecruiting about our "What's Next?" emails, that came.

The email from Disney explains how you will need to submit a background check. For New Zealanders this is free. For us Aussies, it's another $45 you need to shell out. We were originally told that our checks needed to be submitted no later than June 1st, about a month after receiving that email we got another one saying how they needed them before the end of March, which as we found out from the January group could potentially hold up everyone receiving their welcome packs.

Back to the first email, they also listed information about our medical insurance, and apparently, no, your regular travel insurance won't cover you. Basically when you pay your housing fee of US$100, you also pay your medical insurance fee of US$100, depending on what your dollar is like when you apply, it could be less, mine was.

The next email to come from Disney was yet another one stating our roles and dates, but this one contained more exciting info, like, how to pay your fees, apply for classes and if eligible their roommate matching service.

Another issue that could arise when waiting for your Welcome pack to come, is your Proof of Student Status Form, remember that one, the one you had to get your Uni/Tafe to sign saying that you are actually a student? That could pop up, I had to get it resigned, thankfully I'm about to begin an Advanced Diploma at work, so my trainer just signed it for me.

Then after more waiting you'll receive your Welcome Pack. It's important to check every detail on your Visa paperwork, not doing so could result in you not obtaining your Visa.

Until next time.
TTFN

150 days to go!

But I leave in 140, the plan is to go explore LA, be a tourist, buy some Andrew Christian underwear, you know usual stuff you do in LA. But as an exciting 150 days to go surprise, the t-shirt i ordered came today!

Yeah, that's all for today! sooo excited. need to get onto paying for my second flight. :D

Next Steps email.

Gah this bugs me so much. We need to have Medical Insurance whilst we're over in Florida, but I think I need Travel Insurance, for things like cameras, laptops, etc... and then they go and say that travel insurance won't cover us whilst we're there.  If it won't cover us, why can we get policies for twelve months?!

someday my prince will come

So as the song goes,

Some day my prince will come   Some day we'll meet again   And away to his castle we'll go   To be happy forever I know

Recently I've had some fairly amazing guys come into my life.  It's really bugging me why would the universe do this when I'm going overseas.  The most recent one I haven't learnt that much about other than that he's a vet, who's recently graduated and is moving to Queensland, he also likes yoga, in several different forms.  We met a a bar, I was a wee bit intoxicated, so I can't really remember what he was telling Banj, the friend that I was with at the time, he was totally hitting off with this other guy.


I guess if one of these amazing guys and I were to continue seeing each other and a relationship developed, I wouldn't complain.  It's just that, when I leave the country I don't want to be in one, because there'll be heartbreak and sorrow.

my tips and tricks to those applying pt. 1

I'm sure that if you're reading this post, it's because you're thinking of applying to become a Cast Member (CM) at Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.

Believe me, you are going to have the time of your life.  Here are some of my tips from when you send in your application to the point when you check into your housing complex.  This is a compiled list of things that I've noticed other people posting on their Facebook profiles and just from my general experience.

The first thing you'll need to do is send in your resume.  It doesn't need to be overtly flashy, but it does need your interests, previous work history, and education, so the recruitment cast members know a little about you to get the ball rolling in your interview.  

Your cover letter shouldn't state how much you love Mickey and Minnie and you want to be friends with them because they are super awesome cool.  It does however need to state your intention for why you wish to apply to the program, something along the lines of "I would love to have the opportunity to meet people from all around the world whilst working and learning about how a company such as the Walt Disney Corporation runs their highly successful theme parks."

You can also state how it will help you in your future career, i.e. if you are a marketing student, taking the marketing class will allow you greater insight into the organising and implementation of large nation-wide advertising campaigns.

Once you've sent in your resume a recruiter from Walt Disney World will contact you via return email in order for you to fill in and complete three forms.  The first form is the Online Application, it just asks you for all your details again.  Second is the Proof of Student Status Form (PSSF), it basically says that you are in fact a real student and not someone who's trying to get into the program without studying at a university.

Lastly is the Role Checklist, each country has a different set of roles they may perform within the park.  College Representative Program Members have different roles based upon which country they come from.  Summer Work Experience CM's can perform such roles as Merchandise Hosts, Operations and Lifeguards, Academic Exchange and AU/NZ Work Experience have the largest list of roles available to them, from Character Performing to Merchandise Hosts, Park Gate Greeters to Custodial work. 

Each program lasts for a specific amount of time, and based upon which program you decide to choose, you could be working for Mickey for anywhere between 3 Months all the way up to a year.  I was selected to be a Character Performer for the entire year, something that rarely happens. 

You then have the most agonising waiting period ever, between your application being received, and the check in day.

Your interview will happen in one of two places, your home, or at your university.  For those of you who have their paperwork all sorted, and there is an interview/information session at your university, you will be able to meet with the recruiter there and then.  If, like myself, you were still waiting on forms to be returned to you, you will have to send the complied of the above forms, plus a copy of your passport bio page to your respective recruiting email. 

Once you've done that you will need to organise an interview time for yourself with the Disney recruiter.  Times will be in relation to Orlando time, for instance, mine was scheduled for 6pm Orlando time, or 8am/9am Australian Eastern Time.  Mine happened just after we had Daylight savings come, so 8am was really 9am, the whole hour I stressed something shocking.

During your interview, try not to be overtly nervous, this is only but the biggest thing you will ever do.  I mean not to scare you or anything, just try to remain calm and think of it like any other interview for say your local supermarket or pizza shop.

After another agonising seven to fourteen days, you will receive an email that either confirms or denies your place in the program.  If your email says congratulations, then YAY for you, however if it doesn't, don't fret, you can always apply for the next round of intake, and hope that you impress the recruiters then.

So the time between when you apply and when you leave is the crazy saving period.  You'll need to have proof that you can afford flights home (incase you get kicked out of the program) as well as enough money for Passport, Visa, Servis fees, plane tickets, accommodation for before you arrive, and you'll also need money for your first two to three weeks.

About four months before you depart, you will receive an email from IntRecruiting, as to what to do next.  That's where I'm up to, waiting for the "What's Next" email.  IntRecruiting say that it's going to be sent very soon.  Very soon in my books is like in a weeks time, that was about a week ago that we received this news, hopefully it comes soon. 

Until next time, for Part 2 of my tips and tricks of applying to the program...

200 Days to go!

There is now 200 days till I begin my International College Program, which means we're now in the home stretch. Things that the August group are starting to discuss things like flights, and visas and such.

I freaked out last night, my sister, who's going to europe the month before I leave, we were talking about electrical things we're taking over with us. I went to look at adaptors so that I can plug in my shit, none of them convert energy! But thanks to Contiki, they say that we'll only need an adaptor, but things will take a little longer to charge than usual.

I'm also going to be joining a gym, I have a feeling I'm going to have to be somewhat fit to be friends with a character, especially if I get to be friends with Tigger. Or if I become friends with Goofy, I'll fall over lots, because isn't that what he does, he is very clumsy.

We're supposed to be meeting up today, for like the first time ever, (i'm completely free)

so hopefully the girls want to, I'm' not sure if we've even got any other Melbournians in the group, besides  Sofia, Lezly and myself. Hell we may even go to subber's and get cookies and coffee and shiz...

Do you hear what I hear?

The answer, probably, because I can hear the computer's fan whirring away.


But besides that, tomorrow is Christmas Day when I will finally be able to see what's inside the boxes that are for me and have been poorly wrapped to save on wrapping paper.

It's my Criss in a box!

I like to think that this box will contain Darren Criss and he'll sing me some Crissmas songs, and I will be happy. (see what I did there?)

I've also discovered that the WWOHP aka the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be getting a large expansion over the next few years to help keep guests coming to Universal Orlando. I think it will be finished before, the joint venture between, James Cameron and Disney's Pandora is opened. Sadly because of this I won't get to experience the Jaws attraction.

USO will also loose a major area for horror night mazes in this expansion, which prompts me to wonder if it will go to being hosted at both parks...

230

So a few hours ago marked the 230th day until I start my program at Walt Disney World.  It's a milestone. Albeit an obscure milestone, but one none the less.  This meant that I had to update my photo gallery on Facebook. There is also much excitement in the air for January 17 which will then mark 200 days.

XD