Friday, May 29, 2015

Making to Disney International College Program Spring, 2012




Namaskaram, I am Sri.Arindam Pal student of 6th sem, BHM affiliated to IGNOU under Bangalore University. According to university rules students of 6th sem are needed to complete a Industrial Training (IET) and submit the log with report on same to gain credits from university for successful completion of semester. This training provides students with exposure to industry, networking and credits from work place also, 6 months experience before graduating.
Participants of the Disney International College Program at the Walt Disney World® Resort near Orlando, FL, U.S.A. have the unique opportunity to develop real-world experience while working in front line roles at the Theme Parks and Resort Hotels. Additionally, they have the chance to meet Guests and other participants from around the world and take part in a life-changing opportunity that they just can't get anywhere else.
The Disney International College Programs is made up of two unique opportunities: the Summer Work Experience, and the Australia/New Zealand Work Experience. In addition, Disney hosts the “Academic Exchange Experience”. Participants in these experiences may have the opportunity to:
·         Learn important business philosophies from Disney leaders
·         Gain real-world experience working for a world-renowned entertainment company, valuable on any CV
·         Make friends from around the world while living in a comfortable community
·         Take advantage of exclusive Cast Offerings, Events and Activities
And that's just the beginning!
Although participants may not be pursuing a career in the hospitality or entertainment industries, they will have the opportunity to learn skills that will be valuable to them in their future endeavors. In their roles, Disney International Programs participants develop transferable skills including Guest service, effective communication, teamwork, leadership, and responsibility.



Selected international students take classes and earn academic credit from “Central Michigan University” while they gain real-world experience. At the same time, students will take part in an experiential learning opportunity hosted at the Walt Disney World® Resort. Participants can gain a competitive edge on their C.V. through the combination of academic and career training. Students will learn from the top colleges and universities in the United States, work with a world-renowned entertainment company, learn skills from Disney leaders, meet people from around the world and take part in a life-changing experience.
I am glad that I got an opportunity to do my IET from Disney, Florida. In below lines I would like to share my Pre-IET Experience.
 It’s all started with a notice from the college for the above program on September, 2011. Interested students were required to give names to Madam Smitha(Front Office Faculty) who was handling Disney Internship , helped by Madam Jamuna(Placement Co-ordinator) and supported by the valuable  guidance from Madam Sunita Srinivasan(Principal).
The students were short-listed on merit (good academic standing and adequate attendance %) by college and primarily interviewed by Serafina Auster (Indian consultant for Disney International College Program recruiting, Airborne, Bombay) which was processed through Skype from college. The selected students were required to process the following as directed by recruiter through mail viz.,
1.       Submit Passport Copy to college(sent to recruiter)
2.       Submit Resume with aggregate marks to college(sent to recruiter)
3.       Fill CMU Application via mail, take print
4.       Fill Disney Application  via mail, take print
5.       Print the role checklist and check in box against desired roles
The selected students were required to bring the above documents on second round of interview with Madam Yvette Noethen (Disney International Recruiter) at scheduled dates (Sep) and location (PESIHM/Christ College), upon selection the students were given roles which is non-changeable.
I have been selectedJ along with Mr. Pit Phunglom(Thailand) and Ms. Silmi Batajoo(Nepal) from our college and  were required to send acceptance of role through mail as directed.
After few days in October, Offer letter from Disney was received in college which was used for processing Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) as required for DS-2019 (form required for Visa).            Since exams were ahead we processed it on November from our local residence.



*      Advice to Juniors:
*PCC available from Commissioner Office , Infantry , Rd, Bangalore or in local police station
*Always mention the purpose as Study abroad (student) while applying for PCC in Police Station and never highlight the stipend/working.
*PCC processing fee Rupees 200/- and Processing time 2 weeks to 3 weeks.
Students were required to give the following to college(sent to CMU) before October 19th  viz.,
·         Bank Statement with financial support form (sent by recruiter) mentioning personal savings and sponsorer savings (with affidavit).
o   Min Savings: $ 1850
·         PCC  *Keep a copy.
After the above is reviewed by US department of Internal Affairs the Welcome Packet was sent to college which includes,
·         DS-2019 signed by Dean of CMU
·         CMU Offer Letter
·         CMU welcome Letter
Since approval of Visa was unsure I kept a back-up plan by working in Leela Kempinski, Bangalore for a month till I receive my Visa on hand. I enjoyed the beautiful 28 days(Nov) in Leela with friends and also a knowledgeable learning experience with trainers/colleagues in Royal Club(FBS) and Front-office. I also got Very Good as appraisal from The Royal Club, Leela. I continued my Visa work parally and visited Chennai in middle. Since the Visa got approved I written a letter of dis-continuing training with apology and received a stipend of rupees 750. I am thankful to Leela Kempinski, Bangalore for selecting me and considering my case.


After receiving Welcome Packet, we were required to start Visa Process. I started my Visa process after receiving the above on November. Visa process included the following steps viz.,
1)       Pay SEVIS Fee, $180 - https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/ (this fee is non-refundable)
2)       After paying SEVIS, Fill DS160Please see https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/Home.aspx. Must have the SEVIS receipt and DS2019 in hand to book the appointment. (this fee is non-refundable)
3)      Pay VISA Fees-$140
I paid at HDFC bank, Koramangala in FOREX Counter and filled “USA MRV Visa Fee Deposit Slip” and received Bar code on Blue receipt which activates after two working days.
4)      Booking Visa Appointment after bar code activation @https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/Home.aspx.
·         I got my appointment on 28th of Nov at 8:30 a.m. I reported at U.S. Consular Office , Chennai at  7:30 am.
·         I stood in queue and shown Appointment letter, DS-160(confirmation pg) and Blue Receipt for entry & received a token.
·         Reported in counter based on token number and shown following documents viz.,
1)      VFS appointment letter
2)      Visa fee Blue Receipt
3)      DS-160 confirmation(CEAC bar code)
4)      Passport
5)      DS-2019 (original)
6)      Sevis Fee Receipt (I-901)
7)      Welcome Letters
8)      Financial Documents.
9)      Current Photo
10)   University Transcript
*Have duplicate copies of above
·         Then I moved further for Finger Scan & then Personal interview with U.S. Consular.
Finally my consular replied “Your Visa Has Been Approved” J
MY Passport was kept by Consular when approved and sent to desired address.
I received passport from Bangalore VFS Centre after 2 working days as I mentioned before in application.



*      Advice to Juniors:

*During interview highlight about your study program and return date. Never say about working.
* Carry syllabus copy, college letter and fitness certificate for guaranteeing that you are going to return, going to study and fit respectively).
*Track your passport at *Track your passport at https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/Home.aspx.       *Check the details on Visa for accuracy or else report at VFS Centre.
AFTER RECEIVING MY VISA:

1)      Booked Round-trip Airline Ticket- Make my trip @ 69,000/-
2)      Buyed Exchange Student Medical Insurance – CMU requires all of their students to enroll for ISO. Student Health Insurance. We had the opportunity to purchase one of two different plans.  Both of the plans meet the J1-A requirements.    http://www.isoa.org/CMUDisney
                     I chosen Compass Silver @ $ 188
3)      Payed Tuition – Paid through Debit Card using my CMU mail as directed. 
4)      Payed Disney Program Fee online ($100) (disneyurl.com/internationalpafs).
5)      Registered for Classes ACE/DES (http://www.disneyurl.com/intleducation)
                      I chosen “Advance Studies In Hospitality Management” (ACE) 

Hurah!!! Dec 15th all job done. Got ready and exited for experience like never before.
·         Pack!
·         Arrive at Disney!!!
a.       Check into Housing
b.      Attend “Traditions” - Disney's orientation program - and we are on our way!!!

*      Advice to Juniors:
*Update flight details at ”wdw.international.arrival.itineraries@disney.com
*At airport, keep all documents in order and keep safe the DS-2019, I-94 card (given onboard).
*Always Xerox all the pages of the Passport and Scan the same for safety & report to Indian Embassy in case of loss.
**Pay your 6th sem fees before departure and arrange to pay 7th sem fees while abroad.


I take this opportunity to thank the following faculties and my beloved one’s for their constant support and valuable advice.
*      Faculties:
o   Madam Sunita Srinivasan (Principal)
o   Madam Smitha.G. (Front Office Lecturer)
o   Madam Jamuna (Placement Co-ordinator)
*      Disney:
o   Madam Serafina Auster (Disney Consultant)
o   Madam Yvette Noethen (Disney International Recruiter)
*      Leela Kempinski, Bangalore:
o   Mr. Sathish (Manager, Training Department)
o   Madam Akshata Suri (Asst. Manager,Training Department)
*      Family:
o   Mr. Rabindranath Pal (Father)
o   Mrs. Manasi Pal (Mother)
o   Ms. Meenakshi Pal (Sister)
*      Others:
o   State Bank Of Mysore, Paper Town, Bhadravathi, Karnataka
o   Union Bank Of India, PESIT Campus, Bangalore.
o   Shimoga District Commissioner Office and Paper Town Police Station.
o   And all my teachers, family and friends.


The program commences from Jan 15th and ends on Jul 13th 2012. Wishing all your blessings.


*      Follow me in:
·         Facebook: www.facebook.com/arindam1.ihm 
Get updates on my Page : CMU Disney International College Program'2012

·         Twitter: twitter.com/arindam1ihm
                                    
                                                                                                    

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