Walt Disney World® Resort recruits hundreds of international students from all across the world to live and work in one of several unique educational and professional paid internship opportunities at the number one vacation destination in the world. The Walt Disney World® Resort International College Program is a work-integrated learning opportunity that allows international students to participate in several internships that include the J-1 Academic Exchange Program, the Summer Work Program, and the Cultural Representative Program. All positions are paid and provide remarkable housing accommodations and daily work transportation.
During their internship, students will have the unique opportunity to represent their country and culture through working in front-line roles such as hospitality, food and beverage, merchandise, custodial, lifeguards, operations, and guest relations. This allows students to build transferable skills that include relationship building, problem solving, and written and verbal communication; explore networking opportunities with Disney leaders; and earn real-world experience with one of the most admired companies in the world.
Part of the Walt Disney World® Resort International College Program, the J-1 Academic Exchange Program is a twelve month paid internship opportunity of a lifetime. This work-integrated learning opportunity allows international students who are sponsored by
Students in the Summer Work Program will live and work at the Walt Disney World® Resort on a J-1 summer/work travel visa during their summer break from school. Students must be enrolled in school at the time of application and must return to school for at least one term following this program. The J-1 Summer Work Program is a 2-4 month paid program.
Cultural Representatives share their culture and customs with Guests who come from all over the world to Walt Disney World® Resort. To qualify for this program, students must authentically represent one of the countries or regions recreated in look and feel at the World Showcase at Epcot® and at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort. Countries currently represented include:
Within the World Showcase at Epcot®, there are eight independent participant
companies that have contracts with Walt Disney World Co. As an employee for one of these companies, students are part of the Cultural Representative Program and an important member of the Disney "family." However, students will be employed by the specific company for which they are selected, not Walt Disney World® Resort. Students will reside in the same apartment community as other International College Program participants and receive the same rate of pay and many of the same benefits as participants in the other two International College Programs. Positions in the Cultural Representative program are generally twelve months.
A typical day for a student participating in the Walt Disney World® Resort International College Program could begin with waking up before work to get a workout in at the fitness center then by catching the bus to work. Perhaps the student works as an Attraction Host at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™, a server at Le Cellier at Epcot’s Canada Pavilion, or as a Guest Relations Host at the Magic Kingdom® Park, for example. After work, the student will get a ride back home on the bus with all of the other participants. Then after a homemade dinner with roommates, it’s off to a program-sponsored pool party at the clubhouse!
Not only will students be able to create magic as Walt Disney World® Resort cast members and participants while working and representing their country, but also take full advantage of the numerous opportunities available to other cast members such as housing accommodations and entertainment. All International Program participants live in an exclusive, fully furnished apartment community. Rent includes utilities, cable connections, local phone service, housewares, maintenance, and access to; laundry facilities, swimming pools, a clubhouse, and a fitness center. 24-hour gated security and transportation to and from work and shopping also is provided. Rent ranges from $69-$87 USD per week depending on the size of the unit. These costs will be deducted from paychecks weekly and housing options range from 1-4 bedroom units, shared by 2-8 roommates from various countries.
Since entertainment is key to the Disney experience, cast members can enjoy an amazing variety of fun-filled perks, including free admission to all four Walt Disney World® Resort theme parks, on-property discounts and local-merchant discounts. Students can also enjoy numerous recreational activities and locations such as Mickey's Retreat, a 19-acre recreation facility exclusively for cast members and participants that's located conveniently near the housing complex.
Students pursuing any degree are eligible to apply for a Walt Disney World® Resort International College Program as long as they are at least 18 years old and a student in an accredited university at the time of their application. Students must also have good conversational English, be willing to share living quarters with other participants, and be outgoing, enthusiastic, and flexible. More information on this unique opportunity and instructions on application can be found at: www.DisneyInternationalPrograms.com.
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