Meet Samantha Kingham: The ITC Grad Living the Dream at Disney World!
This ITC graduate is living her dream at Disney World!
For many young people starting out in the travel and tourism industry, the dream is to work at Disney World. Samantha Kingham didn’t just achieve that goal – she took it one step further by landing a coveted position on the Disney Entertainment and Performing team.
We of course had to learn more and share her story. So we chatted to Samantha and learned how what began with the feeling that Year 13 wasn’t for her, ultimately led her to the job of her dreams overseas!
How did your adventure begin studying tourism?
My journey into tourism began when I realised that continuing with Year 13 wasn’t the right path for me. I found that studying multiple subjects without focusing on what I was truly passionate about was holding me back from reaching my full potential. Tourism had always stood out to me — I took it as an extra-curricular subject in high school and quickly fell in love with the industry and everything it represents.
I was also inspired by my brother, who had recently entered the travel industry, which made the idea of tourism feel both exciting and achievable. Initially, I applied to another tourism college, but through family friends I discovered ITC. From the very first interaction, ITC felt different. Their teaching style, strong sense of community, and genuinely family-like atmosphere resonated with me immediately. I loved how welcoming they were and, most importantly, how much they truly cared about their students and their futures.
What were your most memorable study moments?
One of the most memorable parts of studying at ITC was the connections I made with my classmates. We all shared a similar passion for travel, which created such a supportive and motivating environment. I also really appreciated the tutors — not only were they there to teach and mentor us, but it was clear they genuinely loved the industry themselves.
Their passion made the learning experience engaging, relatable, and fun. Because they brought real-life experience into the classroom, it helped me connect more deeply with the content and stay focused. ITC truly created an environment where learning never felt like a chore.
How did ITC support you with your next chapter at Disney?
ITC supported me every step of the way throughout my Disney journey. They helped me get my foot in the door by assisting with interviews, answering questions, and guiding me through each stage of the process. Having that ongoing support made such a big difference, especially during a time that felt both exciting and overwhelming.
Knowing that previous ITC students had successfully gone through the same process gave me so much reassurance. It made me trust the journey and feel confident that I was exactly where I was meant to be.
What were your first few weeks like in Orlando, Florida?
The first few weeks in Orlando were a huge cultural shock — at first, it honestly felt like I was on holiday. Once training began, however, everything suddenly felt very real. That’s when I truly started to feel the Disney magic. Being able to see behind the scenes and learn how everything operates was such an incredible experience.
While being away from my family was challenging at times, they have been incredibly supportive. This experience has allowed me to gain a strong sense of independence and has helped me discover who I am as a person. It’s been a period of so much growth, both personally and professionally.
Tell us about the role or role you’ve done. What does a typical day or week look like?
At the beginning of my program, I started as a PhotoPass Photographer, a role I held for five months and absolutely loved. Being part of capturing families’ special moments and creating memories that they will treasure forever was incredibly rewarding. Knowing I had played a small role in preserving those moments made each day feel meaningful.
A typical PhotoPass day was filled with teamwork, guest interaction, and fun — no two days were ever the same, and there was never a dull moment.
More recently, I transferred into a new role within Disney. Two months into my program, I auditioned for this position, and not long ago I was thrilled to find out that I had been accepted. I am now part of the Disney Entertainment and Performing team. Without breaking the magic, I perform alongside characters and help create unforgettable experiences for guests. This has truly been my dream role within the company, and I still can’t believe I have the opportunity to be part of something so special.
What are some of the things you’ve learnt so far from this experience?
This experience has taught me the importance of stepping outside my comfort zone and giving things a chance, even when I’m not 100% confident. I’ve become far more independent and have learned how to rely on myself, which has been incredibly empowering.
I’ve also developed strong communication skills, particularly when working with people from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. That has been one of the most valuable lessons I’ll carry forward into my career.
Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to do an exchange or study tourism in the future?
If you’re considering an exchange or studying tourism and feel nervous, I can promise you that it does get easier. You figure things out as you go. Trust yourself, have confidence, and don’t be afraid to jump in at the deep end — it will be worth it.
This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and if you don’t take the leap, you may always wonder “what if?”. There will always be a flight home, but I can honestly say you may fall so in love with the overseas experience that the idea of leaving feels unimaginable. While there will be challenging moments, the memories and incredible experiences will always outweigh the difficult days.
Where to from here? What do you see yourself doing in the future?
I definitely see myself continuing within the travel and tourism industry. I have connections within a travel agency that I would love to explore in the future, and I’m also very interested in cruise lines and hotel management.
That said, I truly believe everything happens for a reason. Right now, I’m focusing on the present and embracing every opportunity that comes my way. It’s also reassuring to know that if I ever need guidance or support in the future, ITC is always just an email or phone call away.
Study with ITC and create your own career magic
ITC is the first step for many young Kiwis as they earn a qualification and set out to build incredible careers both here in Aotearoa and around the world.
Whether your goal is performing on stage at Disney World, or perhaps helping international visitors enjoy New Zealand, our courses could help you get there.
Contact us here to learn more!
