Meeting Mickey never gets old

The beginning of my sophomore year was a major switch for me. I packed my bags and flew down to Orlando, Florida, for the Disney College Program! So, you might be thinking ... What made you want to go there when the previous year was pretty tough? Trust me, the decision wasn’t the easiest but something in me knew I needed to go down there for a difference

I first heard about the Disney College Program my sophomore year of high school after our family vacation there. My dad encouraged me after getting advertisements on his laptop. He told me it was an opportunity I should consider once I got into college.

An opportunity to work for the parks and go to the parks for free? Who would say no to that? When I finished my first semester my dad mentioned it to me once again. I thought, “You know what, I want to go.” My first semester was rough, and I definitely was not at my peak happiness. My parents encouraged me to sign up. If I got denied at least I applied and maybe I would try again later in my college career.

To apply to the program, the applicant must have at least one semester of college under their belt. Luckily for me, I finished my first year of college when I decided to apply. The process was surprisingly quick. Within one week I got the “You’ve been Accepted Email” that truly changed my life.

I started tearing up.

So many thoughts went through my head. I called my dad and told him immediately after I opened the email. I’ll never forget that look of shock he had because of the quick response I received just days after applying. I was set to go down for the fall semester of 2022, which I chose particularly because of the Halloween and Christmas decorations. Those holidays are notorious for having some of the best holiday decorations and character celebrations in the world.

Fast Forward to that fall. I was off to Disney, just turned 19, and ready to begin this life-changing journey. It changed my life. I was given the job of hostess at Backlot Express in Hollywood Studios. I’m not going to lie. The job wasn’t the most glamorous, especially on those 90-degree days. I definitely didn’t feel like a princess most days.

But there were so many aspects of this job I wouldn’t change. I met the most amazing people from across the country. My best friend from the program was from Missouri. Sydney and I were inseparable at work, and it wasn’t the same when we had different shifts or different days off. She was someone who could make me laugh when I wasn’t having a great day. We loved the same movies, music, and hobbies, so we could just go on and on and would never get tired of hanging out. After work, we would drive home jamming to Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and even Disney Channel music. She gave me some advice that I took back with me to Bloomsburg. 

“Don’t be scared to chase your dreams, trust your gut, and take those opportunities. Your future self will thank you." 

My coworkers at my job were honestly among the nicest people I’ve met and they taught me so much and were proud I decided to join the program at the time I did. I knew I made the right decision when I met them.

On the days I wasn’t at work you could probably find me lounging by the pool, shopping at Disney Springs, and OF COURSE the parks. I can’t tell you the amount of times I went on Guardians of the Galaxy. Yes, that’s the best ride hands down. Don't get me started on the Dole Whip, a top-notch Disney dessert. Meeting Mickey never gets old either!

This trip wasn’t just a fun excursion I wanted to embark on, but it really shaped me into the person I am today. I learned to be more independent and self-reliant. My parents weren’t there to hold my hand and tell me the right thing to do. I needed to do it for myself. 

I learned self-sufficiency by aiming to obtain basic necessities like making my own food, cleaning my space, and sticking to a schedule. There were days I wanted to book a flight and come back home, but I knew that meant giving up. That wasn’t me. Whenever I put my mind to something, I do it even if it's hard. So, I picked up my chin and continued following my dreams. I put on that smile and gave it my all at work, with my amazing new friends, and taking care of myself when I was there.

The Disney College Program was one of the best experiences of my life. I made so many incredible memories, lessons, and friends that have truly changed my life for the best. I couldn’t imagine my life without doing this program and pursuing this dream.

I knew that I needed to Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg and look at the college experience in a different light. Freshman year I was so scared and anxious about being away from home. Once I returned, I was more confident in myself, put myself out there to make more friends, and joined the clubs I was scared of joining. So, if you’re thinking about doing the Disney College Program, do it. Have an open mind. If you don’t like your job, just give it a chance. See the good and magic in the small and mundane things. Before going I was scared, nervous, and unsure it was the right decision for me. After coming back, I was so grateful for the opportunity to learn more about who I am.

— Mia Shrawder, a senior communication studies major at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg with an emphasis on leadership and public advocacy, is interning with the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications this spring. She is a native of Mechanicsburg who likes to run, dance, do pilates, cook and bake healthy recipes, read, watch Gilmore Girls, and watch soccer with her father.

#BloomOnward #HuskyLife

Well, hello there college ... nice to meet you!

Picture this: you’re in the backseat of your parent’s car on the way to move in to college.

Your heart is beating fast.

You have butterflies in your stomach.

You can’t help but be excited, yet nervous at the same time. You’re mere hours away from officially being a college student ... away from your parents ... and living on your own for the first time ever! You think you’re 100% prepared for this new life. You've read online all of the recommended freshman in college do’s and don’ts. But alas, this was a whole new world. An entirely new script. A new lifestyle ... my new chapter.

This was me three years ago. I was that typical nervous freshman not knowing what to expect my first year at Bloomsburg. I just knew I was excited for this next chapter to begin.

I'll never forget the empty feeling of hugging my parents’ goodbye with my voice cracking and eyes filled up with tears after finishing unpacking my dorm. I've never felt anything like it before. It was a mix of sadness and excitement all at once. I had no idea what I was going to do without them. I stood in the parking lot watching them drive away just wondering what I was supposed to do next. Besides my roommate, I was all alone on a campus of almost 10,000 students. I felt like an outsider.

Flash forward a few days and it’s my initial “first day of classes” in college. Unlike high school, I walk into a room full of strangers. It was nothing like my hometown. I pretty much knew, or have heard of, most of the people in my town. And everyone knew everyone’s business. Here I was, in a town full of people I had never met and without my parents, for the first time.

My shyness was definitely triggered. I knew I was there for my education and to pay attention to the professor, instead of being so nervous. I had no idea what to expect from college classes. The thought of not having my mom around to help me with any of my homework, like math, gave me a knot in the pit of my stomach. And just thinking about not being able to come home from a rough day and not having my dad there to make me laugh made it even worse!

My biggest fear was I was going to fail out, that I wouldn’t be able to handle and equally balance a social life and school work. I heard so many stories of people just not going to class and partying all day and night, not having a care in the world. I made sure I paid attention and went to every class and asked for help if I ever needed it. I was motivated to do well in college and to not let any hard classes get me down.

Going into college no one really ever tells you about the important little things you learn day to day. My time in college so far has taught me a lot of things. Things like communication, leadership, and time management. My first year of college taught me something that has helped me throughout these years which is how to be independent.

I had to live without my parents for the first time and learn to do things on my own. I took care of myself when I got sick, fed myself, forced myself to go to classes, and learned how to become my own person.

Those college do’s and don’ts definitely didn’t prepare me. In college, you don’t have your parents on your back telling you to get your homework done or reminding you of things going on. It's solely all on you to be in charge of your life and to make sure to get your work done.

I'm glad I was able to balance how to have fun and taking my education seriously. Surprisingly, first semester freshman year was one of the best semesters academically I've had. Learning how to be independent by being on my own for the first time and what steps I have to take to succeed is what kept me focus and still does to this day.

Looking back, I'm proud of myself on how I got throughout the “toughness” of the first year of college. Bloomsburg taught me independence my freshman year of college by allowing me to learn more about myself. I’d say that’s a pretty big achievement for a freshman.

— Samantha Bergan, senior mass communications major and English minor #BloomOnward #HuskyLife