Disney Grants Neumann University Student’s Wish

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Image of Rebecca Cruice via Neumann University.

“It’s like a dream come true.”

That was the reaction of Neumann University’s Rebecca Cruice when she learned that she had been accepted into the Disney College Program. Her acceptance means that she will spend Jan. 28 to Aug. 1 of next year in a paid internship at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla.

According to the Disney website, interns have the opportunity to “gain on-the-job experience working in our parks and resorts, live with people from all over the country in company-sponsored housing, take part in personal and career development classes, and build skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and communication.”

“I’ve grown up loving Disney,” said Cruice, a junior whose dorm room is “Disneyed-out,” filled with photos, trinkets, gear, and other memorabilia of the entertainment giant’s films and characters.

In fact, she has been planning her Disney College Program application since she was in eighth grade. That’s when her parents took her on a vacation to Florida and she met a lifeguard who gushed about his experience in the program. From that point, she was determined to earn her ears.

“I came to Neumann, knowing I wanted to do this,” said Cruice, “and not delay my graduation.”

To stay on track despite planning to miss an entire semester in the Disney College Program, Cruice took one college-level English course in high school, has earned 18-19 credits per semester since she enrolled, and took two online summer courses.

“I want to graduate with my friends,” she said.

The Disney Program is selective. More than 20,000 students apply every year with only 4,000-5,000 accepted. For Cruice, the process was speedy. She applied on Aug. 20, had her web-based interview (a sort of online personality survey) on Aug. 21, and her phone interview on Aug. 30.

She received her acceptance e-mail on Sept. 5, and was assigned to the role of lifeguard, one of many roles she said she would gladly accept.

“I’ve never been a lifeguard,” she said, “but I’m eager to learn, and they provide all the needed training.”

Her preliminary research indicates that lifeguards earn between $10 and $15 per hour and work approximately 35 hours each week. The workload will vary seasonally, of course, and may increase depending on the size of the crowds at the resort.

The fact that a lifeguard had inspired her to pursue the Disney College Program years ago was not lost on Rebecca.

“I guess my journey has come full circle,” Cruice said.

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