If you told someone that you could get paid to live at Disney World for five months, then they’d probably think you were joking. But it’s actually a thing, and it’s called the Disney College Program. Thousands of college students across the world get paid to work and live at Disney for five to eight months at a time, and come this fall, I will be one of them.
So far, after scanning through numerous Facebook pages and profiles of anxious college students, I’ve learned that majority of the applicants have dreamed of this their entire lives, want to eventually work for Disney or applied multiple times for this opportunity. I, on the other hand, do not own a single thing Disney related, do not know the words to Disney songs and happened to stumble upon this program on Facebook and thought, “Why not?” In the most basic way possible, I applied and accepted my offer to the Disney College Program because I have no idea what I’m doing with my life.
If I started a list with the things that I constantly overthink, then it would go on for a while. On the list I definitely include my major, my current job, my motivation (or lack of), a few people I call my friends, that one guy every girl has -- the one you will always have feelings for -- and depending on the day, possibly seven more things. Like I said, basically my life, but I’m not ashamed to admit that. I've learned that this time in your life is just walking around confused and occasionally stopping to make questionable decisions.
I think I watch too many Lifetime movies and have this dire need to “run away and find myself” with a dramatic scene where everything works out, I come back home, then the credits roll and everybody cheers (I've always been one for drama). I know that probably won’t happen, but I think it’s OK to take a step back, remove myself from my current life, just get away for a semester to prioritize and really think things through. Some may call this “running away,” but I don’t see it that way. I’m building my resume, earning money,and making amazing memories while in the process of running.
So, I’m counting down the days until Aug. 22, 2016, when I move to Florida for a semester. Where at least then I'll be walking around confused and making questionable decisions at "the most magical place on Earth." Not because this is a dream, but because I’m currently a hot mess and the Disney College Program is the perfect time for me to figure things out. Hope you're ready for me Orlando because I sure am ready for you.
