On March 12, 2014 at 8:18 A.M. I found out my life was going to change, and at the time all I remember is shaking as I held my phone and read the email from the Disney College Program. I remember the night I applied I said "It's not like I am going to get accepted, so why not apply? What is there to lose." Boy was I wrong. After being fast tracked through my interview process and finding out a shocking two weeks after my application was submitted, when it normally takes months, that I was going to be moving down to Orlando for the night 9 months of my life. I was excited, but I was never scared. I knew that I would miss home, but I never thought I would be 'homesick'.
Then it started, the count downs on my phone, written in my planners, and on every form of social media I have. Fast forward to the day I received the Disney post card, and spammed everyone's news feed with this photo:
Congradulations Kayla. I'd been accepted into an internship program that 22,000 other people wanted to get into. 3,200 sometimes for the fall advantage program had been accepted, and another batch of 3-4,000 for just plan fall. I had accomplished getting into a really competitive program, that I really had no idea of what I was actually getting into.
Fast forward again to May 18th, when I boarded a plane (after a boat load of complications) and ended up in Orlando.
I was leaving everything and everyone I have ever known to get on a plane and fly what in driving time would be 24 hours away. I wasn't afraid of leaving, at the time, all I could think about was the amazing time I would be having the next day at check-in.
I was going to be living with what I thought was just three other girls. Amy, Lex, and Tabitha, and even though I had been talking to them for weeks as it seemed, and we had agreed to live together, how well did I really know them? I didn't.
The next morning we woke up bright and early to get ready to head over to Vista Way, even though I hardly ate anything at breakfast because I was so excited. When we got there I had to say goodbye to my mom for the time being as I went to stand in line with all the other People waiting to check in. I made my first friend in that line, Abner, and although we aren't close now it was nice to know that I had someone. Tabitha found me next and I was just so excited to finally meet the girl that I had been talking to via Facebook and Text messages. Lex and Amy caught up with us, although Amy was put in another line, the rest of us got to stay together. We got handed our planners and rule guide which had our apartment number, which complex, and how many roommates on the back.
Vista Way
Apartment 611
6 roommates.
S-I-X roommates? So who were these strangers going to be? Would we even get along with them?
Turns out, that they were the best two additions to our apartment that we could have asked for. Libby and Ashley.
Our first week was a vacation compared to the rest of the program.
I wasn't afraid of coming here, I was never afraid of leaving everything behind for a period of time and moving here. I was never afraid to live with 6 strangers. I know sometimes I don't shine the best light on this program, but it's a great program. I have learned so much about myself and growing up since I've been down here.
I remember how excited I was to get to come down here and do this program, and yes sometimes I sit here and say "Why did you even apply for this program, you hate it here." I don't always hate it here. Yes, I hate certain things about the program, certain things about living with 6 girls...but as my 5 month mark approaches I can honestly say I am glad I am doing this program.
Sometimes, I want to quit. That's normal. Sometimes I can't imagine that in three months I will not be here. That's a hard one. I am torn on that choice, I did not apply to extend my program, for a reason. I'm sure I don't need to share those reasons, because I feel as though I had made them apparent ( although I will probably be doing a post about it.)
Sometimes, I think maybe I should apply, I still have time, But no, I am not going to do that. I know what it's been like the past almost 5 months for me here. Yes, you can argue that it's "not that bad" but until you've felt what I have felt you have no say in the matter.
I do love this program, for so many reasons. But I also hate it for a fair share of reasons.
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