Canadians working at WDW

[montrealdisneylovers]

My daughter (18) has mentioned several times that she would love to get a summer job at WDW.

Has anyone here in Canada done this?

Anyone do the College Program? I know that involves taking some time off school but I am not even sure we as Canadians can do that. It seems like you have to be enrolled in specific colleges and as she plans to go to McGill in the fall, I am not sure if she would be eligible.

Any information would be helpful!

 

[Gigi22]

Don't know about the College Program. Perhaps you check on that board for more information?

I do know that Disney (or an agency representing Disney) has done recruitment of experienced restaurant servers working in Canadian restaurants to work at Le Cellier in Epcot. I know because they recruited a couple of my favourite servers away from a neighbourhood restaurant. I spoke to them before they left.

 

[lizabu]

They usually advertise anywhere there are programs related to hospitality/tourism. I remember in college if I went down to the part of the school where the travel/tourism classes were held there were many poster and ads about working at Disney. Is she doing a gap year? She should talk to her high school guidance councellor. They often have Disney send them brochures etc.

or maybe start here https://www.disneyinternationalprograms.com/summer.html

 

[montrealdisneylovers]

I love the idea of checking near the tourism faculty as well as with the guidance cousellors!!

Not sure what you mean by gap year. Here in Quebec we end High School at grade 11 (17 years old generally) do 2 years CEGEP (till 19) then on to University for generally a 3 year program. She is currently in her second year of CEGEP.

We have looked at that international program site a lot and still seem confused about what is actually offered. I guess we will have to contact them to get more information. Not sure if you have to be at a specific college to apply or not. She will be going to McGill next year so perhaps she can find out more from them.

I was just wondering if any Canadians had any first hand experience with any of this (international program, college program or straight out summer job experience) that they could share with us prior to calling them.

 

[MrsSparrow..]

Hi there, I'm actually from the UK but came across this thread from the main board. I did the International Programme just for the summer months; my Canadian roommate did the same programme as me (whom I am still regularly in touch with; one of the benefits of doing the international programme!), and she goes to a university in Quebec. The company that recruit for this programme in the UK, also recruit for Canada. (http://www.yummyjobs.com/opportunit...-J-1-Cultural-Exchange-Program-Summer-Canada/)
They are a fantastic company and really helpful throughout the whole process.

If you have any questions, feel free to post or PM me. I will try my best to answer them or ask my roommate and pass on any information
Definitely check out the College Programme Board - there are a lot of Canadian posters there though primarily it is US college people.

 

[lizabu]

...Not sure what you mean by gap year...

A gap year just refers to when High school students take a year off before they begin university to work, travel or volunteer.

The suggestion to check out the college board is a good one. There are probably a lot of international students who have done this over there.

 

[maryann4086]

My daughter starts at the Canada pavillion working in Attractions, this coming February. She is very excited. The process, from application, to phone interview, to in face interview, to time of departure would have taken over a year. It is a great opportunity, it just will take awhile. The college program is a little different. Goodluck if she chooses to pursue it.

 

[montrealdisneylovers]

Thank you all so much for your replies. You have all been most helpful. I am sure she will pursue this at some point.

Maryann4086, I wish your daughter all the best as she begins this exciting time. How old is she and how long is she going for?

We visited the Canadian Pavillion several years ago and were embarrassed at what they were showing in their film. Last year we went back as we had a guest with us who had never been to Disney. We were very pleased to see that the updated panoramic film they were showing brought Canada into the modern age.

Your daughter should have a great time!! I look forward to hearing about her adventure.

 

[maryann4086]

The contract they receive is for one year, so for her, Feb 12, 2013, through Feb 9th 2014. I will keep you posted on how it goes. I am going down with her for a couple of days, so an extra bonus vacation for me. Thank you for the good wishes.

 

[grover]

Check the Yummy Jobs website for the Cultural Representative Program..they are the recruitment people to hire for positions at the Canadian Pavillion at Epcot. Like the another poster mentioned it takes about year for the process if you are hired (online application, phone interview, in person interview). They hire for the retail, attractions & food service in the pavillion. It's nice because they will take care of the visa, have accomodations/transportation for them once hired.

 

[Sue M]

Our cousins son did the 1 yr International Exchange program in Epcot and loved it. They work in the country they are from, in this case Canada Pavilliion. He did 6 mod. in the pavilion, and 6 mod in Le Cellier. They are put up in a nice condo facility and are well taken care of. He had a blast. He took a year off University to do this.

 

[PurpleEars]

I don't know the exact detail of the program, but a friend of ours have worked down there the last 2 summers through the Interational College Program. I know she had to apply and go to Toronto for an interview. She did not work in the Canadian Pavillion. I think she was assigned to Fantasyland last summer. I am pretty sure her work term was just for the summer (it actually ended early to mid August as we missed her both times during our late August trips), so it is possible to work there without take a year off school.

 

[montrealdisneylovers]

I don't know the exact detail of the program, but a friend of ours have worked down there the last 2 summers through the Interational College Program. I know she had to apply and go to Toronto for an interview. She did not work in the Canadian Pavillion. I think she was assigned to Fantasyland last summer. I am pretty sure her work term was just for the summer (it actually ended early to mid August as we missed her both times during our late August trips), so it is possible to work there without take a year off school.

I think that this is what she is really interested in for the near term!! Do you know how they started the process?

 

[lynypixie]

I have a friend who worked one summer at Disneyland Paris. I remember seeing applications sheet at my CEGEP's job offers board.

 

[PurpleEars]

I think that this is what she is really interested in for the near term!! Do you know how they started the process?

I did a quick Google search on the International College Program and I found an old thread on here about the program:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2654658

For our friend, the whole thing started when her family was talking to CM's about her interest in working there in the summer when they were there 3 years ago. It turned out one of the CM's was involved with the International College Program and they got the information that way. I imagine their information would be similar to what was in the above thread.

 

[dsneygirl]

There are 2 different programs. The cultural rep for the Canada Pavillon which is usually 1 year and then the summer programs which can be anywhere and often fill attractions/quick serve that type of thing. DH and I did the program 15 years ago when we both took a year off from University. One of the best experiences of our lives.

 

[branmack]

I took part in the International program many moons ago. The cultural rep program is a one year contract or you can work there for a summer or a semester as a student. You must be registered in at a Cdn college or university. Contact Yummy jobs, they will guide you.

My experiance at Disney is something I will never forget. International friends that will last a life time.

Disney looks awesome on a resume and I was advised by one employer that Disney is the reason they choose me.