January 5, 2023

Krystal Jane

I am sitting in Orlando airport, almost a year after my program began, in the same place I stepped foot into at the beginning. Words cannot even describe my life this past year, no matter how hard I try, I could never type the year to its full glory.

I feel so many emotions. I am so excited to finally see my family after so long apart, and I know my two little brothers will be overjoyed to see me again, but that deep feeling of missing what I once had is kicking in. I no longer live in Orlando, or the United States. I won’t see my friends for a long time, and I am unsure when I will see Disney again. The lifestyle I lived, the opportunities I had, the memories, the laughs, the adventures, are all in the past. I have 0 regrets, I would recommend this program to anyone, no questions asked. Yes, hardships have come, working for Disney is no easy task, but everything else totally makes up for it.

My biggest thing is the connections I have made during this program, the kind souls I’ve met, the ones I will now cherish forever, the people who will forever be in my life, somehow, someway. I appreciate every single thing we did together, no matter how big or small. The diversity of people on the College Program is amazing, I truly have connections around the entire world, that I made in only a year, in one place.

My next biggest dream is to travel Europe, thanks to the people I’ve met, I know can go and see them during my travels. From France, Germany, Ireland, Turkey to the United Kingdom, everywhere. I couldn’t be anymore thankful for this.

Who knows my next adventure, I just know I have this deep desire in my heart to travel, nothing less. I want to explore new places, meet new people, expand my knowledge, learn new cultures, add more countries to my “been there” board and more. Nothing can beat the feeling travelling gives you, the excitement but nervousness all at the same time when you head to a new destination is amazing, the feeling once you’re finally there is breathtaking and your heart feels so full and accomplished. I long for it, it hurts to think of staying in one place for a while. I just want to get out there and go places.

I plan to work for a year in New Zealand and then finally made my way over to Australia, the pay is better there and it is easier to fly out to other countries (not to mention cheaper), which will in turn hopefully make my goals a little closer than when I am in New Zealand.

I am so thankful in my parents for supporting these dreams, constantly pushing me to pursue them and believing in me. No one could have aided me more in coming to the big USA, working for Disney and now helping me on my next journey. I am eternally grateful to have such caring parents that see my big goals in life. It keeps me thinking and more open minded about my career and my dreams.

“How lucky am I to have something so special, that makes saying goodbye so hard”

Winnie the Pooh.