Meet Mya: The ITC student living out her dreams at Disney!
Mya at Disney!
In October last year, we interviewed a student with her sights set on the Disney Cultural Exchange Program. At the time, Mya Jorna was finishing up an ITC course and hoping to be accepted into the program.
The Bream Bay College graduate attended an Adventure Short Course through school at ITC, where she learnt about the amazing opportunity to study tourism in Northland and wanted to one day work for Disney in Orlando Florida. Mya worked hard to graduate with her tourism and travel qualifications and with the support from ITC, applied for her place at Disney in January 2024.
And now, she’s living out that dream!
We couldn’t wait to hear about her adventures and how it’s all going, so here’s a little more about the program and her time at Disney.
The Disney Cultural Exchange Program
Have you dreamed of working and living at Disney?
ITC supports students with the options to work abroad through both our qualifications and our support. Our Employment Consultant helps students to prepare for the application process, and the whole team cheers and offers advice to provide graduates with the most amazing opportunities overseas. This is why ITC graduates have had so much success in gaining Internships all over the world.
The Disney J1 New Zealand Cultural Exchange Program is a five to twelve-month experience located at Walt Disney World® Resort, near Orlando, Florida. Participants of this program have the opportunity to gain real-world work experience with a world-renowned entertainment company, learn skills from Disney leaders, meet people from around the globe and take part in a life-changing experience. Participants work in front line, guest-facing roles throughout our Parks & Resorts.
Mya Jorna’s time at Disney
On the 19th January 2024, Mya flew to Orlando Florida to begin her Cultural Exchange Programme and attend the Disney University. Mya is now a qualified Disney Lifeguard at the all-star sports resort. Her favourite perk of working and living at Disney? Going to the parks for free whenever she wants!
We caught up with Mya and here’s what she has to say so far about her incredible experience.
What have been the highlights so far working for Disney?
- Meeting so many new people and making lifelong friends
- Having many different experiences in the American culture
- Spending my days off adventuring around the parks
What does a day in the life of someone in your role at Disney look like?
My role as a lifeguard mainly consists of spending the days scanning the pools for any possible situation and when I’m not on stand I spend my time talking to guests creating magical moments where I can.
What have been the challenges so far, how have you overcome these?
For me a challenge was the transition to living at home with my family to living on my own with people I had never met.
Mya’s advice is: Definitely give everything a go and jump at all opportunities they give you. It really is up to you to make things better for tomorrow!
Where to from here? Where do you see yourself when your Disney experience comes to a closure?
After my Disney program I plan to travel around the USA and Europe before I come back home. I would love to do a camp in America as well as learn more about lots of different cultures.
Follow in Mya’s footsteps – straight to Disney!
Do you want to live and work at Disney like Mya?
Explore your study options in either Auckland, Botany, Whangarei or from home with The International Travel College. Let us support you and improve your career and become the stepping stone to an amazing future.
Visit www.itc.co.nz, email college@itc.co.nz or call 0800868747 to find out more.
Posted in News, Student success | Tagged Disney, Disney Exchange Program, Graduate interview | Leave a reply