Cultural Rep. vs. College Program

[2_five_three]

Hihi everyone!

I am 24 and I’ve always wanted to go work at a Disney Park, so I feel like I should do this now before I’m too settled. Problem is, I don’t go to school. So I cant apply for the college program.

I’ve looked into the cultural representative program, but being Canadian, working at the Canada pavilion sounds extremely boring me to. Honestly Canada does not excite me at all and the thought of leaving Canada to go work in “Canada” at Disney is kinda backwards to me.

So question, I think I read somewhere even if you are just taking one college class you can apply for the program. Is that correct?

Would it be silly for me to enroll in a class in order for me to apply for the college program?

If I do take a class, should I apply for the cultural rep. program in the mean time since I wont be able to apply for the college one until I’m done a semester of school anyways?
Would that double my chances or hurt it?

If anyone has any feedback about the cultural rep. program or if anyone has any suggestions or programs I don’t know of that would be more suited, please let me know! Thanks!

 

[glendalais]

First and foremost, the Disney College Program is only open to those attending a US Post-Secondary institution who hold unlimited authorisation to work in the United States. This includes, but is not limited to, Legal Permanent Resident status or US Nationality.

Theoretically, you could apply to the Disney International Program International College Program experience. For that programme, Disney only requires that you be enroled in a Post-Secondary institution outside the United States. However, if accepted, you could be required to apply to your local United States Diplomatic Mission for a Non-Immigrant Visa. If you are only enroled in one class at the time of applying solely in order to be eligible, that may lead the Visa Officer to believe that you applying in order to circumvent US Immigration Laws and/or that you do not intend to depart the United States after your programme is over. This in turn may lead to the rejection of your Visa application.

There are many benefits to the Cultural Reprsentative experience. You would be statused as a Full Time Cast Member, which commands a higher pay rate and more control over one's schedule than is accorded to other Disney Internships and Programs Participants, as well as access to Company Health Insurance Benefits for the majority of your programme term.

 

[ntoeman]

During my CP just this past 7 months I actually shared a break room with the Canadians. From what I know from them about working there as a Cultural Rep, it's really not that bad. There are sooo many positions that you can get stuck with on property as a CP or ICP for a few months that may be boring, but what ultimately makes the experience anywhere you get placed are the people and it's all what you make of it. After all you're all in it together.

On that note, all the Canadians I knew were cool and they definitely do get better benfits and scheduling in their positions (attractions, merch, or food). Also, (as corny as some people may argue this sounds) it's not so much "leaving Canada to go work in “Canada” at Disney" as it is getting to showcase what you know about Canada and sharing that with the thousands of people that flow through Epcot every single day who are also from all over the world. Just my two cents on that!