Any Cdn Dis'ers going to interviews next month?

[iluveeyore]

I made it to the interview phase - going to Montreal next month for the Cultural Representative Program interviews
There are no threads for this program, so just wondered if anyone on the DIS was going??? I have to drive 8 hours away for the interview - the one closer to me in Toronto is scheduled for a work day for me, so I didn't want to miss a day's pay to go, and the one in Montreal is on a Saturday. It will cost a bit more, maybe even itself out since I'm not missing work, plus my boss won't be left hanging for the day. (It's actually a temp. job, and it's my second-to-last day of work for the Toronto interview, and I didn't want to look bad leaving before the end of my contract, plus the lost wages).

Soooo, anyone????

I'm very excited and nervous, and can't wait to go.

 

[glenpreece]

I've been twice, once to the Toronto interview and then another I had to to travel to Montréal. After that trip I never wanted to visit Montréal again lol. Really there is nothing to prepare etc. just try to relax (it's difficult I know) and be honest don't try to give them answers you think they want etc. I never got picked (well for the first round) I was always called as a fill in if somebody got fired etc. So they tell you not to put your life on hold etc but then expect you to drop everything and be ready to fill in in a matter of days. My piece of advice (where I think I went wrong lol) is don't be too caught up on the disney part of it. Two of my bff's from college went and got hired even though they never liked disney. They rarely went to the parks and just partied all the time etc. But because they were your typical "Canadians" and weren't in it for the disney stuff they got picked. Other than that good luck!!!!! I would love to go work there and have thought aboiut trying again but seeing how it got them nowhere when they came back to Canada i think I am better off sticking with my job and "just visiting" lol.

 

[HappieMommie]

Don't laugh at me, but what interviews are you guys talking about?

 

[iluveeyore]

Happiemommie - it's interviews by Yummy Jobs for the Cultural Representative Program at Disney World - you work in Epcot in the country of your origin (Canada in my case) for a year. They give you a work visa for that job only, you have to live in their housing for your program. There is also a college program for a 3-6 month term, but I'm not in college.

glenpreece: thanks for your comments. I'm not looking forward to Montreal either - did you stay at the hotel they interviewed at or somewhere near by? I'm trying to decide if I want to drive all night, do the interview and then crash somewhere before driving home, or if I want to drive until 1 am (I don't get off work until 5pm), and then pay for a room for 7 hours. I really don't want to miss a day of work, so Toronto is a definite no for me.

 

[potzie2]

iluveeyore,

Can I ask a question? Do you and your entire family get to go down, or do you have to leave them behind and go alone? I noticed on your signature that you have a DH and some kids so I was just curious how that all works?

Cheers,

Brian

 

[iluveeyore]

iluveeyore,

Can I ask a question? Do you and your entire family get to go down, or do you have to leave them behind and go alone? I noticed on your signature that you have a DH and some kids so I was just curious how that all works?

Cheers,

Brian

Hi Brian! If you're married and you both do it, you can stay in an apartment together. But....if it's just one of you (like me), you leave them all behind. People think I'm strange, but my family is used to my yearly one week solo trips and knows my love of Disney (we go every year as a family), so they weren't surprised I wanted to work there. I would stay for less time if I could, but I'm only eligible for a one-year program. My DH is the breadwinner and we couldn't let him leave his job of 20 years to go with me. My older boys will be 20 and 18 this year and I hardly see them even though they still live at home. My soon to be 15 year old daughter will miss me, but she looks forward to visiting me several times, and using Skype and MSN daily to keep in touch. She'll also be a big part of looking after the household when I'm away. This is a dream of mine - we were married right after high school and I guess I'm hitting my mid-life crisis at 40 - I never really got to live on my own or travel on my own, and I really want to do this now that I'm healthy and able to. My mom died at 47 and never followed her dreams as she put every one else first - I'm choosing to follow my dreams with the support of my family - I really love them for allowing me to do this (if I get accepted)
Sorry, long answer - but that's my story!

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

ILuvEeyore, CONGRATS!!!Best of luck to you and WTG on following through on a dream!!!

 

[potzie2]

If it's your dream you have to follow it. Good luck with the interviews let me know how it goes.

Cheers,

Brian

 

[House_of_Mouse Fan]

Best of luck iluveeyore!!!

 

[stitchaholic]

good luck with the interview,if you have any questions of montreal,don't hesitate to ask,it's really not so bad here,there are some canadians left in quebec,even if we are a minority.

 

[LSmith]

Hi Brian! If you're married and you both do it, you can stay in an apartment together. But....if it's just one of you (like me), you leave them all behind. People think I'm strange, but my family is used to my yearly one week solo trips and knows my love of Disney (we go every year as a family), so they weren't surprised I wanted to work there. I would stay for less time if I could, but I'm only eligible for a one-year program. My DH is the breadwinner and we couldn't let him leave his job of 20 years to go with me. My older boys will be 20 and 18 this year and I hardly see them even though they still live at home. My soon to be 15 year old daughter will miss me, but she looks forward to visiting me several times, and using Skype and MSN daily to keep in touch. She'll also be a big part of looking after the household when I'm away. This is a dream of mine - we were married right after high school and I guess I'm hitting my mid-life crisis at 40 - I never really got to live on my own or travel on my own, and I really want to do this now that I'm healthy and able to. My mom died at 47 and never followed her dreams as she put every one else first - I'm choosing to follow my dreams with the support of my family - I really love them for allowing me to do this (if I get accepted)
Sorry, long answer - but that's my story!

Midlife crisis or not isn't it a parents responsiblity to raise their children until they are grown? It ain't easy but it's necessary. Not many of us here have gotten to live or travel on our own at least until our kids are grown. It's called Life. Trying hard not to judge but I can't imagine you are going to have much in common with people at least half your age and fresh out school. They are probably going to be uncomfortable around you.

Three years isn't a long time to wait.

Sorry but I'm from the old school of putting your children first. Maybe you should go away for a week occasionally. Your daughter needs a mother even if it doesn't always appear that way.

I'm sorry but my heart aches for your daughter.

 

[rewok]

Midlife crisis or not isn't it a parents responsiblity to raise their children until they are grown? It ain't easy but it's necessary. Not many of us here have gotten to live or travel on our own at least until our kids are grown. It's called Life. Trying hard not to judge but I can't imagine you are going to have much in common with people at least half your age and fresh out school. They are probably going to be uncomfortable around you.

Three years isn't a long time to wait.

Sorry but I'm from the old school of putting your children first. Maybe you should go away for a week occasionally. Your daughter needs a mother even if it doesn't always appear that way.

I'm sorry but my heart aches for your daughter.

I must say that many 15-16 years old chose to go away for a school year on cultural exchanges (was one of those), which are an even bigger change for them. If those kids can be happy, I'm sure her daughter will be very well, after all, she won't be alone, she'll be with her dad. Many kids have only one parent at all. She'll have a loving dad home, and a loving mom in Florida, I don't see that as a hardship!

Hope you'll luck out OP, and Montreal is a very nice city from my POV!!

 

[dancin Disney style]

Midlife crisis or not isn't it a parents responsiblity to raise their children until they are grown? It ain't easy but it's necessary. Not many of us here have gotten to live or travel on our own at least until our kids are grown. It's called Life. Trying hard not to judge but I can't imagine you are going to have much in common with people at least half your age and fresh out school. They are probably going to be uncomfortable around you.

Three years isn't a long time to wait.

Sorry but I'm from the old school of putting your children first. Maybe you should go away for a week occasionally. Your daughter needs a mother even if it doesn't always appear that way.

I'm sorry but my heart aches for your daughter.

 

[iluveeyore]

Thanks for the support and well wishes everyone. And for those that don't agree, that's okay too, I completely understand and thank you for your concern about my family.
If my daughter had hesitated in the least about letting me go, I would not even be considering it. I even asked her if she wanted me to wait until she was old enough to do it and go with her, but she said no. She will do the program when she's done high school, but who wants mom hanging around seeing what she's up to every day???
This is not something I thought of lightly - my husband and I have had many lengthy discussions. He knows the losses I've had in my life, all the women I don't have around any more to talk to and spend time with, so he's become my best friend and confidante as well as my husband. My ENTIRE family supports me and that's the deciding factor in me going ahead.
I might not even make it past the next interview, so I'm throwing it up to the Heavens and letting the good Lord show me my path. I will follow whatever path is put in front of me -life's too short, I have to follow my heart so I have no regrets at the end of my time here.

 

[*~PrincessBelle~*]

Congrats on getting through!! I made it to the interviews too but since the telephone interview I got engaged and now im getting married Sept. 2010. I just can't commit for a whole year ... im pretty sad since I've always wanted to be in this program but next year just won't be the year for me..hopefully in 2011...who knows maybe we'll see you at the Canada pavillion in Sept.2010 when we're on our honeymoon!!

 

[iluveeyore]

Congrats on your engagement - I hope to see you in September too!
Tracey

 

[minnie56]

My DD and her friend(s) have face to face interviews next month as well..
They have done the ICP previously. We saw the Accomodations for the Cultural Rep participants last week while there..they look very nice.
Good Luck..not sure I would do it but whatever floats your boat!

 

[canadaniagarafamily]

Happiemommie - it's interviews by Yummy Jobs for the Cultural Representative Program at Disney World - you work in Epcot in the country of your origin (Canada in my case) for a year. They give you a work visa for that job only, you have to live in their housing for your program. There is also a college program for a 3-6 month term, but I'm not in college.

glenpreece: thanks for your comments. I'm not looking forward to Montreal either - did you stay at the hotel they interviewed at or somewhere near by? I'm trying to decide if I want to drive all night, do the interview and then crash somewhere before driving home, or if I want to drive until 1 am (I don't get off work until 5pm), and then pay for a room for 7 hours. I really don't want to miss a day of work, so Toronto is a definite no for me.

Spend the money and go to the interview fully rested and alert. Think of it as a $150 investment for a year. Good luck!

 

[cabmom]

Congrats, relax and enjoy your interview!
I hope it all works out for you! Your kids will survive as will your husband. I'm sure he'll appreciate what we moms do!

 

[Sue M]

My cousin did it a year ago. He took a year off Univ. to go. He had a wonderful time. The housing is a condo complex next to Premium Outlet Mall. From the outside it looked nice, I just droped him off after dinner, out front.
Honestly, I don't know how comfortable you will be as the residences are mostly young 20 something or Univ. students. And you have to share apartments. Very college dorm like. But if you're good with that, I hope you get your dream! Best of luck.