Centralight

Enter the magical gates of Walt Disney World, and chances are you'll soon see an employee – or "cast member," as they're called – who hails from another country. Look closely at their name tag – it might also say Central Michigan University. Each year, about 200 students from all over the world enroll at CMU to take part in the Disney International College Program. They enroll, obtain student visas, then head to the Magic Kingdom for a combination of course work and a paid internship at the Walt Disney World Resort. Call them temporary Chippewas. CMU considers them "guest students," but they happily walk around Orlando wearing CMU shirts and toting maroon and gold backpacks. CMU was one of the fi rst universities Disney partnered with as a way to fi nd ambitious student employees from around the globe, says Dean Wallin, director of CMU's Center for Leisure Services. "We have a huge presence down there," Wallin says. "There are 200 CMU students walking around every semester." CMU has been sending its U.S. students to the Disney College Program since it started in 1981. More than 2,200 U.S. CMU students have taken part – more than from any other university in the country. Eight years ago, Central partnered with Disney to send international students as well. These students, from England, Scotland, the Netherlands, Mexico, Costa Rica and Guatemala, attend universities that have partnership agreements with CMU and Disney. They work at concession stands and gift shops, as custodians, in ticket booths, and parking lots. Lucky ones might slip into costume and greet guests as Goofy or Winnie the Pooh. Wallin travels to the countries with Disney recruiters to interview candidates. He's there at Disney when the students arrive, helping them complete paperwork and get oriented. Staff from Central's Offi ce of International Aff airs assist, too. The students work 30 to 37.5 hours a week and also study, taking classes off ered by Disney as well as classes from visiting CMU professors. They write papers, take tests, attend lectures and do homework, earning 12 CMU credits over a six-month period. Meanwhile, they learn customer service skills from a company famous for making people happy. "They learn to solve problems, make decisions," Wallin says, "whether it's to replace a kid's spilled popcorn that his parents just paid for or to give a child a plush animal to make his day." Everybody recognizes Disney as the best when it comes to customer service, Wallin says. "Those skills can transfer to any job. These students learn to be the magic. They know they can get a job anywhere, because they were trained by the best." Lizeth Alejandra Constance traveled from El Salvador to participate in the program from August 2012 to January 2013. 'Happiest Place on Earth' Chippewas abound at the 28 centralight spring '15

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