If you're a huge Disney fan in your twenties, or maybe even older, you probably hate it when people tell you that you have the "Peter Pan syndrome" (meaning that you never want to grow up), or that you just don't know how to deal with "real life." At least I know I really do. But, what exactly is "real life" and why do people just assume that we're unable to handle it?

As I've grown older, I've realized that becoming a "true" adult means leaving your old passions behind and being into stuff that you probably never thought you would like when you were a kid. Maybe it's peer pressure, or maybe it's really just something that happens when you grow up. But that certainly hasn't happened to me, seeing as I'm still very much into princesses, animals that speak, and magic, not to mention the fact that I still believe in true love and happiness.

Disney has always been and will always be one of my most important sources of inspiration, and the thing I turn to when life gets too hard. I never really understood when or how exactly my family and friends decided that it was too childish for them because that never happened to me. I still love visiting the parks and it still gives me chills every single time I walk down Main Street U.S.A. or below Spaceship Earth, even though I've been to Disney countless times in my life.

So why on Earth am I immature for not letting go of my childhood dreams and aspirations? I've very recently gotten accepted into the Disney College Program, which means I'll be moving to the Walt Disney World Resort in January 2019. In my world, that is just as big a deal as getting a new job at the mall, getting a promotion, or being published online (see what I did there?). I'm not immature because my biggest aspiration in life isn't Wall Street. After all, Disney has always taught me to follow my dreams and reach for the stars.

I'd like to point out that I'm not blaming my family and friends for anything at all because they've all been incredibly supportive of the fact that I'm pursuing what I've been wanting to do since I was literally a child. Nevertheless, I would really like it if other people could at least understand me a little bit more because it still seems to me like they think I'm moving to Disney World for a semester to play around in the parks, take pictures, and have fun. Now, don't get me wrong, that's obviously going to happen! But I'm actually moving to Disney World for a semester to network, grow professionally, and make memories that will last a lifetime, and that's honestly what the Disney College Program is all about.

People also like to think that I'm going to come back home from Disney World to pursue a real career or get a real job. Well, I'm sorry to burst your boring bubble of hope, but as soon as I'm back, I'm going to start searching for job opportunities within the Walt Disney Company. I don't care how many people think I'm childish or immature, or that working for Disney somehow isn't a real job, I will always continue to work towards my goals, and working for the Walt Disney Company has always been one of my main goals in life.

So please, next time you encounter someone who loves Disney as much as I do, don't just assume they're immature, childish, or weird. After all, life's too short to be grumpy. Instead, let them talk to you about their passion for the company and let yourself be immersed into Papa Walt's Wonderful World of Color.