with Walt Disney World® Resort

University of Florida Academic Exchange Experience
with Walt Disney World® Resort
©Disney
The ONLY program that gives you the opportunity to earn academic credit from the
University of Florida and complete a six-month internship with Walt Disney World Resort
Tell me more about the program!
Program Overview
The University of Florida’s Eric Friedheim Tourism Institute (EFTI)
and Department of Tourism, Recreation and Sport Management
(TRSM) in conjunction with Walt Disney World® Resort (WDW) are
offering a six-month academic exchange experience program for
international students enrolled in tourism, hospitality, marketing,
business and/or other related fields at UF’s international
partner universities in Canada.
Students will take classes and earn 12 credits from the
University of Florida while participating in academic training and gaining valuable experience at Walt Disney World®
Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Learn about tourism,
hospitality, destination and event management in a fun
and exciting environment from best-in-class professors
and industry experts in one of the world’s leading tourism
destinations- Orlando, FL.
Welcome to the Gator Nation
Students have the opportunity to become part of the Gator Nation
and experience student life at the University of Florida before traveling to Walt Disney World® Resort. Students fly into Gainesville, FL
and are transported to Gainesville to spend 8 days participating in a
variety of activities including:
• A campus orientation and tour, course instruction, meetings
with UF students and faculty, entertaining and fun group outings, tours and excursions and obtaining their Gator 1 ID card.
It’s Great
to Be
a Florida Gator
• The tours and excursions include visits to Florida cultural and
sports facilities and visits to central and north Florida resorts
and destinations where students will gain insight and knowledge
from hospitality, tourism and recreation professionals.
Students will have the opportunity to stay in UF student dorms
to get the full student experience. All meals will be provided
for students until arrival at the Walt Disney World Resort and
the Summer Term course will be completed before traveling to
Walt Disney World Resort.
Earning your Ears
Living
Earning
©Disney
Program participants will live in company-sponsored, fully-furnished, two
and four bedroom apartments near the
Walt Disney World® Resort with on site
security. Bus transportation is provided
to work, classes, shopping and social
activities.
An accommodation fee is deducted from
each participant’s weekly pay, depending
on the housing unit and number of roommates. The charge covers the housing fee,
utilities, high-speed internet, local phone
service & transportation.
The Disney Education Program provides
students with real-world hospitality
and business experience and classroom
education at one of the world’s leading
companies.
Program participants will have the opportunity to work at any one of Walt Disney
World Resort theme parks, resorts or other
recreational areas including water parks
and Downtown Disney® Area. Participants
work 30-37.5* hours per week and receive
a competitive hourly wage.
*Scheduled hours may vary*
Learning
©Disney
Students are required to participate in one
of Disney’s collegiate courses. The learning
component offers participants a one-of-akind learning experience. Class size typically is 50-55 students where students sit
in groups of 5. Disney classes are held on
Disney properties and are once a week for
four hours. Half of the class time is lecture
from the accredited Disney faculty member the rest of the class consist of discussion and group activities with the class.
For a list of classes offered please see the
curriculum section of this brochure.
We would love to have you!
Admission Requirements
• Age 18 years or older;
• Second year level of university study
(sophomore standing) at your home institution;
• Currently enrolled and in good academic
standing at your home institution;
• Recommended by your home institution for
interviews with UF and Disney;
• Financial support to cover the costs of the
program and personal expenses;
• Desire to perform at a high-level in both the
academic & work components of the program;
• Positive, professional, friendly attitude and
service orientation;
• Engaged in appropriate course of study:
tourism, hospitality, recreation, business,
sport management or a related field.
Curriculum
Twelve (12) credit hours of coursework in resort & destination
management from the University of Florida:
Amount of credits transferred depends on your home institution
Summer Term
• LEI 3340: Resort and Destination Development (4 credits)
Fall Term
• LEI 4905: Destination and Event Management Capstone (2 credits)
• LEI 4940: Internship in Leisure Services (3 credits)
• Six (6) months of resort and theme park work and academic
experience at Walt Disney World® Resorts in Orlando, FL
• HFT 3253 Lodging Operations and Management (3 credits)
OR
• LEI 4905: Disney Course (3 credits) (choose one of the following):
• Corporate Analysis
• Advanced Studies in Hospitality Management
• Organizational Leadership
• Corporate Communications
All UF courses are administered online
Program Components
The Program fee of $3,500 per student includes:
• Twelve (12) credit hours of course instruction at the University of Florida;
• Housing accommodations, all meals, transportation, tours, cultural and sports
excursions while at the University of Florida;
• Admission to one UF Sporting Event;
• Orientation and Graduation Reception;
• Gator 1 student ID Card;
• SEVIS fee (to obtain a student VISA);
• Supervision and support by UF program faculty and staff for the duration of
the Academic Exchange Experience;
• Access to all of the University of Florida’s instructional, technological and
student resources.
Students will be responsible for the following expenses:
• Required Student Health Insurance;
• Any expense related to the application process for Walt Disney World® Resort;
• All expenses once arriving to Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL;
• Linens and Towels (unless student brings them from home);
• Textbook and Course Materials.
For more information about the Disney Program, contact your school’s representative:
University of Waterloo:
Dr. Ron McCarville
Email: mcarville@uwaterloo.ca
Brock University:
Dr. David Fennell
Email: dfennell@brocku.ca
Wilfrid Laurier University:
Dr. Barbara Carmichael
Email: bcarmichael@wlu.ca
University of Florida:
Ms. Arielle Gousse
EFTI Program Manager - Training & Education
Phone: 352-392-3992
Email: agousse@ufl.edu
For more information about the Eric Friedheim Tourism Institute go to uftourism.org