OFFICIALLY GRADUATED, NEW FULL TIME JOB AND RETURNING TO THE MAGIC! ✨| LIFE UPDATE AFTER DAEP

*ALL VIEWS ARE MY OWN AND NOT OF THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY, CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY OR YUMMY JOBS*

Hey there, pals!

Holy smokes, it has been a long time since I last wrote a post on my blog, but I have so much to catch you guys up on! I cannot believe it’s been nearly two years since I was last waking up to make magic at the Walt Disney World Resort. At times, it feels like it was only yesterday that I was jumping on a bus to the parks. Simultaneously, it does seem like forever ago, especially with Covid still lingering around! There have definitely been some big changes in my life since I completed my Disney Academic Exchange Program, so without further or do, let’s get into my huge life update!

University Graduation

So in May 2021, I submitted my final paper symbolising the end of my four years at university. My Bachelor’s degree was a huge piece of my Disney Academic Exchange Program experience because I wouldn’t get the chance to participate in the program without it! I always thought I wasn’t smart enough to go to university, as I have never have and never will be a straight-A student. But, it was a huge accomplishment receiving the outstanding results that I did and then walk across the stage in my full graduation attire.

New Full Time Job!

Perhaps the greatest reason for writing this life update post is because I secured a new full time job shortly after I submitted my final university paper. With the uncertainties of Covid very much present in day to day life, I was incredibly concerned about trying to have something in place after university. Throughout my final semester, I was applying and applying for jobs only for it to have the same disheartening result: rejection. However, in the summer, I finally had some luck come my way! I now work in a children’s theme park when I am currently training to be a manager!! It’s a gigantic leap of faith in my career and I’m really pleased with how well I am getting on in my job, especially as it’s a role where I can draw upon my Disney Academic Exchange Program experiences.

Now, this brings me onto answering my most common question since I returned home from the United States… Are you doing to do another Disney program? When are you coming back to work for Disney? The short and sweet answer is No. There are several reasons as to why I will never do another Disney program again. First, I’m now working full-time in a job that I love and a job that challenges me to build new skills that I have never been challenged in before – i.e. I’m working my way up the career ladder and I cannot afford to go back down a step. Second, the Disney International Programs have not returned yet and it doesn’t look like they will return for a long, long time. Plus, I am at that age now where I could be considered too old to do a Disney program. And so, I feel that it’s best for me to pass the batten of fun and magic to the younger generations when the Disney programs magic returns. And finally, I’ve heard that most Disney Program alumni who go on to do another program are only there to hang out with their old friends, have free access to the parks whenever they like in between shifts, have the discounts again etc etc. And to be honest, I feel that I would be that exact prototype of alumni; in my opinion, that’s not what the Disney programs are about and they never have been about that. Someone who generally wants that work experience from a leading company should grasp the opportunity with both hands, as opposed to an individual who’s just in it for the perks and not the personal development.

Just because I can’t play in the magic for free doesn’t mean that I don’t have a connection to the parks… And that, brings me onto my last big news of this update!!!

I’m Returning to Magic for Vacation!

Yes, you have read that title right! With travel back open again and saving a lot of my earnings for travelling, my sister and I will be returning to the magic this September (literally in 6 months time)! I’m so beyond excited because a lot of us UK Disney park fans have been deprived of for over two years (and for some, even longer!). I cannot wait to experience the 50th anniversary for myself, ride the rides that I haven’t experienced yet, take my sister on the ones that she hasn’t experienced yet, visit friends who I haven’t seen in FOREVER, and just enjoy being back in the magic again!

And of course, I will blog my travel diary entries with what I get up to, how I feel about the different changes and how it feels to be back across the pond! I hope you guys will be able to join me in reading my adventures at the magic again.

I hope you enjoyed reading my life update and it just goes to show you that you can develop your career back in your home country after completing a Disney program! If you have any questions, please shoot me a message on my contact page and I love to have a conversation with you about my career!

Have a magical day!

-Hannah

DISCLAIMER: this blog is my personal experience on the Disney Academic Exchange Program (DAEP) 2019-2020 and may not reflect everyone’s experience. Other programs and future participants on the DAEP may have slight adjustments to their programs that may not be featured in any of my blog posts. That being said, if you do leave any questions, I will try to answer them as best as I possibly can 😊