Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Apply For The Disney ICP

Hello Lovlies! 

So today i thought id share with you some of my reasons why i think you should apply for the Disney International College Programme (ICP) and why it is a once in a lifetime opportunity not to be missed. 

So just incase you don't know what the Disney ICP it is basically a summer internship with the  Disney Company in Orlando,Florida. My programme ran through the 6th June to the 11th August (there is also a year long option called the Cultural Representative Programme), whilst on your programme there a number of different job roles that you may be given, during your final interview you will discuss what you top 3 roles are and then Disney will decide your final role if you are give the job. 

Personally i was given Merchandise which i loved but other options maybe Character Performer, Character Attendant, Custodial, Full & Quick Food & Beverage, Life Guiding, Attractions ETC. So if you are passionate about one area try and show this in the interview stages but trust me when i say be as flexible as you can because that what Disney are looking for. For example of course being a dancer i wanted to be in Entertainment but that is a really hard role to get so i told them about my Lush experience as well as a working behind a bar, you want to give yourself as many options as possible to insure you get the job.

This programme is for university students who are either graduating or are applying already completed one year in university, so i could only once i had started 2nd year .For more information and to apply for the programme next year click here which will take you to the Yummy Jobs sight. 

So here are my top 5 reasons (even though i could go on all day!) why i think you should apply for the programme:

1-Summer Of A Lifetime

Yes i know its a cheesy one to start off with but this sums it up in one for me! This was truly the best summer iv ever had which is why i stress to anyone that is thinking of applying to do so. I'm not going to lie the whole application process is the most stressful part, there were many tears shed because i didn't believe that i could get through but look at me now! Honestly there isn't one thing that i would of changed about this summer and are memories that i will have for a lifetime. 

2-Days Off!

Now imagine a day off work in the UK....what do you do? have a lie in? do some shopping? Now imagine waking up on your day off and thinking ooo i may just nip to The Magic kingdom today or i may just take a trip down to the beach or like i know a couple people did ooo i may just go to California for a couple days! There was nothing better then getting some friends together (or even on my own) and going to the parks and enjoying are days off in our favourite parks. This is something i really miss (as i am sitting on my bed on my day off!).

3-Seeing 'A whole new world'

Now i had to get a cheeky Disney reference in there didn't i! but its true! The great thing about this programme is you get to learn so much about other peoples cultures and of course get to live in states and for me it really gave me a chance to grow up and learn a lot of new skills especially independence! Personally i didn't move out for university so didn't get that side of the uni experience but doing this programme gave me a sense of that and i really loved it. 

Another great benefit of the programme is the fact that you have around 30 days after your programme to travel around the United States! which is an amazing opportunity which is why i decided to travel to California, San Fransisco and New York. If you are able to travel afterwards i would highly recommend it! You can always do what i did and decided what i wanted to do when i was out there.

4-Make New Friends

Once again this going to sound like a cliche but it is very true whilst on your programme you will meet some amazing people from all over the world and hopefully they will be lifelong friendships. I was very lucky to be living with 5 other lovely girls all from different parts of the UK & Ireland! and through interviews and meet ups i made friends with a lot of other folks from all around the UK which is great because i know they are never too far away from home!. The thing i wasn't expecting was to make as many international work friends as i did! The lovely girls & guys that i worked with in Typhoon were the most amazing people and i was able to make friends from all around the world including all different parts of America, South Africa, Turkey, Mexico and many more and I'm very lucky that I'm still in touch with them now even though i have left Disney! and i love them all!.

5- Future Prospects

Now for more of a grown up reason to do the programme! Doing this programme will set you aside from any other interviewee when applying for a job because not many people can say that they have worked for the Walt Disney Company which is one of the biggest companies in the world! No matter what field of work that you are going into having the 'Disney' name of you CV can work wonders, companies know how high Disney's standards are and how there customer service is world class! so why wouldn't they want to hire someone with Disney training. Like iv said you will also learn a lot of different skills on the programme that will stay with you for life like communication, organisation, the ability to communicate and converse with different ages, cultures and cater to every persons individual  needs and i could go on and on. 

So i hope that this post has encouraged you to apply for the programme and please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have! For some advice on the initial online application i have previous made a post with my some tips and advice, so click here to view that post.

Thanks for reading 

Lots Of Love

Holly 

Xx

'Venture outside your comfort zone. 

The rewards are worth it.'

-Rapunzel 

My Disney Journey- The Group Interview

Hello Lovlies! 

So this is the second post about my Disney interview experience, incase you haven't seen my last post about the online application i shall link it here, today I'm going to be talking through the first lot of face to face interviews. Once your online application has been accepted you will get an email from Yummy Jobs inviting you to the group interview! For UK participants we had to go to Yummy Jobs headquarters which is in Epping,Essex, very kindly my dad and brother drove me down there and back in the same day but i know some people who stayed in a hotel nearby. 

Before your interview you will receive a list of documents that you need to bring with you, you will also be told to dress smartly, i wore a blouse, skirt ,tights and just some ballet slippers i would say go smart but don't go too over the top you want to feel comfortable. 

When we arrived at Yummy Jobs we were all greeted and give a name sticker with a Disney Character (of course) and a time you need to go back for your group interview. Then we all sat down of the presentation and a little quiz (don't worry only a few questions for some sweets), and then the interviewers wen to tell us more about the programme and their own experiences. All of the interviewers were so lovely and down to earth and really made you feel welcome and relaxed, just a warning if you are a cryer i would recommend bringing some tissues and some of the videos they show you really hit a nerve and can get emotional. 

Once you finally go in for your interview it is very relaxed and usually starts off with a bit of an ice breaker for example tell us a interesting fact about yourself, whats your favourite colour etc. Then they went on to discuss why we wanted to do the programme, how it will benefit us in our chosen careers and often you are given a situation for example if a child wanted a toy that we didn't have in stock, its import that you listen and interact with everyone in the group. I think one my favourite questions was if you were to be any Disney Character who would you be and why? Now you should really think about this especially your reasonings behind it, i heard some really great responses in my group. I said i would be a cross between Alice In WorldLand because i love new adventures and Mitchie from Camp Rock as i can be shy at first but once i am doing something i love like performing i really come into my own. And then the group is asked if they have any questions and then you are free to leave (after getting a picture next to their amazing Disney wall).

Below i have listed a few tips for the group interview which may make you feel more prepared.

Top Tips for the group interview

-Before you go speak to others with your interview date and try and meet up with them maybe half a hour or more before you interview time. There is a Starbucks literally across the road from Yummy Jobs, it is a great way to get to know people and relax a little knowing everyone is feeling the same as you.

-Always smile, say good morning/afternoon it is crucial to make a good first impression.

-Dont stress too much about the interview trust me it is not as stressfully as you would like the interviews are really lovely and have been in the exact same spot you have. 

-Be yourself, try not to rehearse your answers otherwise you may seem like a robot just relax and if you truly want it then you will know what to say.

-Try not to get lost in the group conversation, you want to be polite and let others talk but don't just sit there, make sure you are interacting with others in the group.

-Maybe before you can try and think of an interesting fact about yourself it could be something funny or something you are proud of and want the interviewer to know it ;) e.g charity work.

-Remember to look presentable, that doesn't mean wearing something uncomfortable as you won't feel comfortable, just wearing some smart but also something that you feel confident in.

-If your a cryer maybe bring tissues as the presentation nearly had me going! 

-Have a couple of questions in your head that you would like to ask at the end of the interview, it shows your interested just make sure you listen properly incase they have already answered the question, for example i asked more about the charity work you can do other there as they briefly mention in the presentation which showed in listened.

-Remember to Thank your interviewer and maybe shake their hand a last impression is just as important as the first one.

-Most of all just relax, get to know people as you could potentially be working or even living with them in Orlando! Just be yourself and enjoy this great opportunity

I really hope this helped anyone who is thinking about the programme and who gets through to this stage of the process! 

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment below with any questions or posts you would like to see in the future.

Lots Of Love 

Holly 

Xx

'"You can design and create, and build

 the most wonderful place in the world. 

But it takes people to make the dream a reality."

-Walt Disney

My Disney Journey- Online Application

Hello there! 

If you haven't read my Introducing me post before than you may not know that i have recently been accepted onto the Disney Cultural Exchange Programme Summer 2016!! I still don't think it has really sunk in that ill be living in Orlando,Florida for 3 months. So i thought i would write posts about the journey i have already been on so that if you are thinking of applying in the future you kind of have a head up.

Your application starts off in around July time when the applications open and usually close in September , the first stages of you application are through a company called Yummy Jobs. The application is quite lengthy so it may be best to get all the information you need before hand like your CV, cover letter,A photo, School grades, references as well as your work history(not required but i added two in just as something extra, you never know it may be the difference between you and someone else). Disney will then give you usually two questions i believe they change every year i think mine where 'What is you motivation for this programme' and 'Why do you value cultural exchange and interaction' but as i say they could ask you anything but there is two questions to have a think about. Unfortunately you can only apply for this programme if you are on a degree issuing course and in at least your second year or you can be in your final year more details can be found on their website.

Tips for applying

-For your own sake don't let leave it too last minute, trust me it is a lot less stressful that way

-Try and be as honest and possible but don't ramble on about how much you love Disney because they probably already know that since your applying to work there (but come on who doesn't love Disney)

-Be professional it maybe Disney but remember they take their recruiting process very seriously 

-There is no harm in adding a sneaky Disney quote in, if it is relevant of course

-Get someone to proof read your application, maybe a tutor or a family member just incase you miss those little spelling mistakes because you have read over your application that many times 

-You usually don't hear back till around September/October time so don't worry if you don't hear back straight away

-Look on Facebook, i can assure you that there will be a group on their with people in the same boat as you and it is very helpful being able to ask questions and advice from each other

-It probably doesn't mean a lot coming from me but if you do not succeed please don't blame yourself  Disney take thousands of applications and of course you can always re-applying next year if you are able too but like i say it is hard for me to say that because i just ignore it when people say things like that to me.

Check out this video online for more information!

I hope this was helpful to some of you and i will be posting about my group interview and the final interview in the next couple of weeks!

If you have any further questions then please leave me a comment!

Thankyou for visiting 

Please pop back again 

Love 

Holly

'All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them'

-Walt Disney