This summer BHC international student Jami Hessell will pack her bags for an internship at the most magical place on earth: Disney World in Orlando, 佛罗里达.
Hessell moved to United States from Japan to take English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and pursue her Associate in Arts at 太阳城集团博彩.
Hessell has family ties on her dad’s side in the Quad-Cities area. She is living with her grandmother in East Moline. 她的妹妹也就读于太阳城集团博彩.
It was an adjustment for Hessell to move to the Midwest, where she had only visited once as a child. She gets homesick from time to time, missing Japanese food and the ocean.
“我从没见过陆地会永远消失，”她说.
Hessell was born and grew up on the island of Okinawa, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. She is excited about being able to visit the Atlantic Ocean during her internship.
Her favorite Disney characters are Jasmine and Stitch, but her favorite Disney movie is “Moana.” She loves the songs, stories and characters. The tropical setting reminds her of her island hometown.
在太阳城集团博彩活跃起来
While she misses elements of home, Hessell is thankful for the opportunities she has here.
She began taking English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at 太阳城集团博彩 two years ago. This semester, she is enrolled in her last ESL class and is taking college credit classes, too.
赫塞尔是ESL导师的志愿者 & 学员计划，并且是一个学员.
The program helps international/ESL students adjust to cultural and academic differences by pairing them with a BHC student or employee and holding events.
She credits the program for helping her become more positive and active, and said it has really helped her come out of her shell.
Hessell has worked in the 职业服务 Center for about a year as a student worker. She has enjoyed learning skills that will help her in the future, and improving her English.
“I used to hesitate talking with clients, but now I really enjoy it,”她说。.
ESL classes and her experiences prepared her for the college courses she is taking now.
Hessell knew very little English when she arrived, and now speaks fluently in her second language.
为BHC学生提供迪士尼机会
Hessell’s internship is through the Disney College Program. Perks include housing, classes, free park admission, and transportation to and from work and shops.
She will work as a custodian during her internship. She is looking forward to walking around the parks, 与客人互动, 参加研讨会和课程.
Hessell remembers being amazed at how happy the Disney guests looked when she visited Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea in Japan.
“Of course I’m a big fan of Disney,”她说。. “But I really like how Disney makes all the guests happy and makes an unforgettable memory.”
布鲁斯层, BHC Director of Educational Services who oversees 职业服务, said more than 200 BHC students have participated in the Disney College Program since 2004.
The jobs vary, but each Disney College Program participant learns Disney customer service. 他们可以申请专业实习, 包括在公园的机会, 动画工作室, 像ESPN这样的公司, ABC和漫威.
Storey鼓励任何有兴趣的学生 浏览就业服务 申请帮助. He said 太阳城集团博彩 applicants have a higher acceptance rate than the national average: 30 to 40% compared to 1 out of 12.
“Jami is going to do a fantastic job,” Storey said. “She is what they look for: someone who is friendly, 即将离任的, 乐于助人, a good team player and will totally fit into the Disney environment.”
展望未来
Moving to the United States opened up a world of opportunities for Hessell.
She will get to decide if she wants to stay in the United States after graduation to pursue job opportunities, 或者她是否会回日本工作.
Her Disney internship is also opening up additional opportunities.
Hessell is interested in exploring careers in marketing and international business. She is intrigued by the possibility of working for Disney after graduation.
“I always wanted to work for Disney because I love how they give dreams to everybody and make people happy,”她说。.
This is her chance to see if that is the path she wants to follow. 她六月份去实习, and returns in time for the Spring 2020 semester at 太阳城集团博彩.
“我太兴奋了，”她说. “And I’m not sure what I want to do still, but now I am thinking working for Disney, so I am happy.”