The Pre-Screen Interview

When I received my response, I got an email saying; 

After a review of your application the Yummy Jobs Team is delighted to inform you that you have been successful through to the next stage of the interview process.

I was so happy :) I had heard that this programme is hard to get in to so I was proud that had got through to the next stage! 

The email told me when and where my interview would be held, mine was in Manchester on the 4th October but they also held one in London. I think they just allocate you to the place that is nearest to where you live. I was also told to bring an object that represents my home town. I tried to think outside the box by bringing something completely different :)

I had to get the train from Preston at 7am on the day of my interview so I was pretty tired but also excited and nervous! The interview was held and Manchester Met Uni and a few of us from the Facebook group had arranged to meet in Starbucks down the road beforehand. When we arrived at Manchester Met at 9am we were given a presentation on the programme and lots of details and information. Following this our interview groups were called.

My group interview was at 12pm, so I had a couple of hours to kill. I went and sat in the cafe with a couple of others in the same group as me and had a chat about what type of questions they might ask etc. 

My group turned out to be really good, 3 girls and 3 boys and we all got on really well. Our interviewer was James, he is really nice and easy to talk to which calmed most of our nerves :) The interview was more of a chat really, just a group discussion to answer his questions. First he checked our availability for the programme and which role we would prefer to do, then we had to chat to the person next to us and introduce them. After this, some of his questions were;

Which Disney character would you be and why?

Why do you want to work for Disney?

How would you feel about living with people from other cultures?

What would you do if you felt homesick or if someone you were living with missed home?

How would you cope with the heat and the climate?

What is your favourite brand and why?

Describe the item you have brought with you and why you have brought it. 

We were also given a situational question about dealing with a problem a guest may have. There may have been a couple of extra questions too but I can't remember!

Once the interview was over we were all pretty relieved, we had all done well and were just hoping that we would receive some good news in a couple of weeks time!

The Application Process

So in July this year I saw that Yummy Jobs (the UK recruiting agency for Disney) were opening applications for the Cultural Representative Programme (CRP), this is a 12 month programme where you work in Epcot in the UK pavilion  to represent your hometown.

As I loved the ICP summer programme, I could not decide whether to apply for this again or to apply for the CRP instead, as you can only apply to one at a time. In the end I decided to go for the CRP as I really don't know what to do when I finish university. I also thought it would be great to go back and hopefully another amazing experience.

The application through Yummy Jobs involves;

• - Personal Details
• - Contact Information
• - Education
• - Work Experience
• - Questions
• Why do you value cultural exchange and interaction?
• What is your motivation for this programme?
• Your documents
• Cover letter
• CV
• Previous Visas
• Copy of your passport
• Passport Information

The questions section took me a while as you have to write a good answer in order to get through. I did some research and tried the best I could. I also made sure I had an up to date copy of my CV and that I had written a cover letter. The application allows you to save your progress and go back to it which is a benefit :)

Applications closed on 16th September and I got an email with a responses on the 20th September so it wasn't really a long wait, although I submitted my application in August. 

One year later...

So.. it has been just over a year since I arrived in Orlando for the International College Programme. I havn't even been on this blog since before I left Orlando last August and I still need to write about my last couple of weeks there. I was so busy in these weeks that I forgot to update my blog, then I got home and went back to university so it has been a bit hectic! So I will begin with talking about my last couple of weeks in the best place on earth!

My last post was on the 3rd of August which was about 2 weeks before I finished my programme and went home. On the 7th August was my 19th Birthday!!! I can remember that I went to Magic Kingdom with Kirsty and Lauren, then  either the night before or the night after all four of us went to Magic Kingdom and they had arranged for my to make Mickey cake pops in the confectionery store, they had also bought me presents which was really nice of them! Over the last few days we tried to do as much as possible... including 4 parks in 1 day! It was hilarious but we were so tired by the end of it! It was sad to think that we wouldn't be able to just go to a Disney park whenever we wanted when we got home :(

Soon it was time for graduation - a ceromony that all college programme participants take part in. We got Mickey ears with a graduation tassle and certificates :) We also got to have pictures with Mickey and Minnie and a couple of other characters before heading off to Magic Kingdom for the last time! How we got to Magic Kingdom was incredibly crazy, but lets just say we got there JUST in time! Watching Wishes was so emotional, all four of us were in bits and looked such a mess from crying but we didn't really care. We all got out Mickey ears embroidered with our names and took some final pictures together before we left the park :(

The next day we headed to the Grand Floridian where we had breakfast with the characters, I got some more autographs in my autograph book :) Then we had to say goodbye to each other, it was really sad but we knew we would meet up soon! I also went to say goodbye to Chuck around this time, it was horrible to say goodbye to him too as I might never see him again, he was such a lovely guy :)

After this I went to meet my family who had flown out a week and a half earlier to meet me, we had stayed in the Art of Animation resort before heading off to stay at Universal! We had such a good time, I do love Universal!

So... that is what happened in my last couple of weeks in Orlando. It was the best experience ever and the best 3 months of my life! I really didn't want to go home. Unfortunately I couldn't go back this year but I am definately applying to go back next Summer! I hope it works out :)

Time is going so fast!

Ooops! I havn't posted in agesss! I have been so busy and writing a full blog post does take some time. Anyway I the night off so might as well catch up on this! I am not gonna remember everything I have done over the past few weeks but I will try!

So the last day I talked about must have been the 12th July. On the Fri 13th and Sat 14th I was closing Arcade, pretty boring shifts tbh! On Sunday 15th, I was back down at the Marina and was working with Chuck and Steven. I get along really well with these two so it was a good day :) Chuck is the sweetest guy ever, hes probably around 70-75 years old but hes amazing. He always takes the mick out of me and we have a good laugh. It was raining in the afternoon so we just sat in the Marina and chatted and joked around, I realised how much I am gonna miss Chuck, its going to be horrible saying goodbye to him! It was a great shift though :)

On the Monday and Tuesday I was closing arcade again. Then on Wednesday 18th I went to Miami! Me and Kirsty had to be up at like 3am, didn't help that I didn't get in from work til 1.30am but never mind! We got to the bus stop and we were both dead, after faffing around with buses we were on our way. We tried to sleep on the bus but it really didn't happen at all. When we got to Miami we all (all 400 of us in total) went to South Beach, its a really nice beach actually. We sunbathed and went in the sea for a bit before deciding to head off to find Miami Ink! I love that programme so much. It took us ages and noone in Miami knew what it was??? Anyway we got there in the end and it was so surreal being in there, looks completely different to the one on TV though, think in the UK its a bit behind time. I was so tempted to get a tattoo and Chris Garver was there from the show but it would of cost about $400 for a tattoo so I decided against it. We also visited the DASH store which was very overpriced! Then looked in Gift shops and went to TGI's for some food. The journey back was hideous, couldn't sleep again and it takes like 4 hours. Didn't help that the bus drivers credit card wouldn't work when we stopped for fuel so that added more time! We got back home and went to bed, we were shattered!

The Thursday I was off and just slept all day because of the exhaustion from Miami, I rung home and had a trip to Walgreens but nothing too exciting! The Friday, Saturday and Sunday I was working then on the Monday 23rd I had given my shift away so I went to Hollywood Studios with Lauren! We got fast passes for Toy Story Mania and met Woody, Buzz, Mike and Sully then some from the Incredibles. Leanne joined us later on and we got food and stuff before heading to check out the Grand Floridian! It is gorgeous, very luxurious haha. We had a wander round before heading back home. On the Tuesday I was down at the Marina again, it was an average shift, nothing exciting. After work we had all planned to go to Applebees, we got some food and some drinks which was nice. Then we sung Take That on kareoke which was hilarious cos Americans don't know who they are! Was a funny night!

The Weds and Thurs I was off and on the Weds me and Kirsty sunbathed by the Pool before going to Epcot to go around the world. It was good and we got Chinese and the Chinese Pavillion (obviously) it was average though. We then collected stamps and flags from each country which was cool, then I think it was on this night that we went to the Polynesian to watch wishes from the beach, Leanne came to join us too. It was really nice and we sat on the beach for a while. Then I can't really remember what I did on the Thursday!

Anyway I'll end this post now and start another one about thee past week or this will be way too long! xxx

Sooo excited :)

So last Wednesday was the 4th of Julyyyy! I really wanted to go and see some fireworks but that never happened sadly :(. During the day I had a wander to the premium outlets, it was quite busy with it being a bank holiday. The sales were good though! I bought 2 tops and some flip flops from American Eagle, then I got a purse from Juicy Couture! I love those purses. I then had a wander back to my apartment and Me and Kirsty planned to go to Downtown Disney for some food, we went to T-Rex and Lauren joined us after work. I got a steak, wasn't that great tbh, didn't taste of much! Then we also met Leanne at 11pm when she finished work and just had a wander around before getting the bus home.

On the Thursday Me and Kirsty went to Typhoon Lagoon! I had never been before so it was a good day. We went on most of the slides and they were quite good. We also did the Shark Reef where you can swim with stingrays and sharks and tropical fish, it was scary but quite cool! The wave pool there is so dangerous! The waves are huge and I nearly drowned twice cos they hit you so hard. To top off the day we got a sand pale, a bucket full of ice cream and we finished it, it was really good. We then headed home around 8pm to go and see Leanne cos she had finished work. We were going to head to Applebees for food but Leanne didn't feel well so we ordered in instead, from domino's as usual haha! The BBQ chicken pizza is amazing!

The Friday I was doing an Arcade closing which is 3.45pm til 12.15am. I don't mind those shifts but they are a bit boring. I don't remember what I did in the morning before my shift, think I just slept! Then on the Saturday I was in 8.30am til 5pm so I had like 3 hours sleep between the 2 shifts! I was shattered. After my shift on the Saturday I decided to do the dreaded Walmart trip. I was in and out in half an hour so it worked out quite well! Then I just watched a film before going to bed. I watched The Rebound, its really good.

I was back at the Marina again on Sunday working on the dock, I get so sweaty and gross doing these shifts, its minging. The shifts do go by quite quick though. I don't think I did anything on the night time, think I just stayed in and chilled! On the Monday I had another closing shift, wasn't too bad tbh! Nothing exciting. Had the same shift on the Tuesday but in the Morning I went to Applebees with Kirsty, Lauren and Leanne. The food was quite good and its really cheap! I then caught the bus to work while they all went to Walgreens.

Wednesday and Thursday were my days off! Yayyy. On Weds Kirsty was also off so we decided to go to Magic Kingdom but swing by Cast Connections first. It sells damaged stuff that can't be sold in shops then sells last years discounted stuff too. Its really good! By the time we got to Magic Kingdom, it was like 5pm. We were starving so we went to Cosmin Rays and met Lou on the way. After food we had a wander around and went to dance with Stitch, Chip and Dale haha. It was really cute haha. Was good fun. We then went on the Speedway ride before heading back cos Kirsty and Lou were gonna go out for drinks. Then on Thurs I just went to chill by the pool with Lauren after a nice lie in! I thought I had tanned really well until I had a shower a few hours later and realised I had burnt half my face, my thighs and my boobs! Oh well, hopefully it will turn brown! Then at night me and Leanne went to Downtown Disney, visited Lauren at work and went for Fish and Chips! Actual British fish and chips!!! It was sooo good. We then had a wander through World of Disney and I bought a photoframe, then we met Lauren at Midnight when she finished work and got a lift with her friend home. We then just went to sit in Kirsty and Leannes apartment and ordered Pizza! It was a good laugh.

Anyway today I have work again! Will post again soon! Don't wanna leave this place!!! xxxx

....

Soo, from my last post I am now onto Friday last week which was the 29th June. I had a 3.45pm-12.15am shift, my first night shift! I had a nice lie in in the morning after my two horrible morning shifts. I then got ready for work and got the bus. The shift wasn't actually that bad, and it was really busy in the arcade as people were getting back from the parks and stuff. It flew by and I got home around 1am because the buses are awful! Then on Saturday I had a lie in again then headed to the pool with Lauren and we saw Lou down there so we just did a bit of sunbathing, it was so hot though. After a couple of hours I went back in and got ready for work, I had got a bit darker though so I was happy. My shift was 5pm-10pm which is an easy shift, it was quite busy again so it went by quickly.

Then Sunday was the first of July, can't believe how quick the time goes here! I was back on the Marina on the dock. It was so hot and busy so I was outside the whole day and got so sweaty, it was gross. When I got back I got straight in the shower! I then needed some bits so decided to go to Walgreens cos everyone else was at work. When I got back I just watched some stuff on youtube then went to bed.

Yesterday (Monday) I was on the dock again, and it was hot again. I was looking forward to finishing because Me and Kirsty had planned to go to Beaches and Cream to get the Kitchen Sink. It is at the Yacht and Beach Club which is a deluxe hotel, it is so nice, I would love to be able to stay there but it is so expensive! Me, Kirsty, Claire and two of Kirsty's flat mates went down there at around 8ish. We had to wait around 45 minutes to get a tables then we got the Kitchen Sink! It has like 24 scoops of every flavour ice cream, all the toppings, every flavour sauce and a whole can of whipped cream! It was so good. The 5 of us couldn't finish it though and it is supposed to serve 4 people! Then we had a walk round Boardwalk but because it was late everywhere was closing. We then sat by one of the small pools and chilled for a bit before heading back at half 12ish.

Today I was on 5pm-10pm again, I was planning on going to the pool again but I needed to do washing as I had run out of underwear! It takes like 2 hours to wash and dry stuff, so annoying. I then had to get ready for work. The shift went by so quick because it was busy again! Now I am sat in my apartment. I have the next 2 days off and think I am going to Premium outlets tomorrow then Typhoon Lagoon with Kirsty on Thursday!

xxxx

Ooops

Oooops, I thought it had only been a few days since I last posted but it has turned out to be like over a week. So last time I posted was my social security appointment, since then time has gone rather fast!

On the Saturday (23rd) I was on the Marina as Docker. I can't remember much but I think it was quite bad weather as we had the Tropical storm around us. Then that night Me and Kirsty went to watch Brave! The new pixar film which is Scottish, it was so good and really funny. We did it as a dine in movie so we got drinks and food while the film was on. Bit strange trying to watch a movie and eat at the same time with 3D glasses on! We got home at around 1ish I think and went to bed. Then on the Sunday I was on the Marina again but as Cashier. It was raining all day and at around 1pm we were told to close the Marina and I got sent home! Yayyy. Was so good being able to just go and chill in my apartment although I missed out on 4 hours pay, oh well. I think I did something that night but I really cant remember haha!

On the Monday and Tuesday I was off. On the Monday I was planning to go to Epcot with Lauren and Julia but then remembered I needed to go to Costuming to get my arcade costumes! So me Lauren and Becky went over there before we went back to the apartments and Me, Lauren and Julia went to Epcot! We did Mission Space - Green and I think I need to man up and do the Orange one cos the Green isn't even bad! (The Orange is the more intense one!) We then went over to the Nemo bit and did the Nemo ride and Turtle Talk with Crush, it was so cute! Then we were very hungry so we went to the China pavillion and found out we don't get discount after 6pm and it was like 6.30pm :( so we went to Mexico instead and got some Nacho's which were very nice. We then had a wander round and got Funnel Cake before watching Illuminations which is so cute, then we headed home. On the Tuesday Me and Kirsty decided to go to the Florida Mall, bad idea! I spent like $200 on a cardigan from Hollister, some joggers and a tshirt from Aero, Chanel perfume and some MAC make up! We got back quite late then decided to go to premium outlets too! Was a good day of shopping!

On Wednesday I had to be at Pop Century for 6.30am! Luckily my trainer gave me a lift so I didn't have to worry about buses! I was so tired all day, and my feet were killing cos all you can do is just stand there and make sure everything is ok! When I got back from work at 4pmish I went to meet Kirsty at the Pool then we went up to her apartment to see Leanne and we just chatted for a bit. They decided to go to Hooters but cos I was in at 6.30am again on Thursday I decided to go home to bed haha. Thursday was horrible, I had to be up at 4am and the buses were a nightmare! I had to order a bus because they don't run at that time in the morning, stupid! I ended up on a minibus which was annoying, again it was boring but I was at Art of Animation this time, which is the brand new hotel. I finished at 3pm and got home at around 4ish again. I downloaded Netflix and watched No Strings Attached which was a really good film. I then went to bed.

I am off to work now but will post about the recent days when I get back! xxx