29 days of waiting........

Only 29 days left til I get on a plane, destination: Disney World. Since my last post I've finished all my exams, and officially finished my first year of University. The last couple of weeks have been busy, between the studying, tanning, shopping, and saying goodbye to residence the weeks have gone fast. In Disney news, it was announced the the Disney International Representatives will no longer be meeting us at the airport-- instead we are to make our own way to Vista Way, one of the buildings in the complex where we will be living. At first I was a little worried, even though it is only about $15 for the bus to shuttle us to the complex. It wasn't the cost that bothers me, and obvi we're all grown ups able to handle public transport, its arriving in a foreign country by myself. I don't know about anyone else, but this is my first time taking a plane by myself-- it's a little nerve wracking to begin with! I know it doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but it was a comfort thing for me, knowing I was expected. I'm fine with it now though, I'm hoping to meet up with a couple of other icp'ers who are arriving at the same time as me and even if that falls through, it's just a bus ride to the complex, not a big deal.
After that news, I got a phone call from Passport canada, and there was an issue with my passport application-- the signature on my drivers licence and the one I signed on my application form are slightly different. It was super stressful at the time, cause I had to travel to a passport canada office and sign my old signature. Since I can't get my work visa until I get my passport, I had to go home in the middle of my exams to go to the passport offices. It was really anoying, but less than a week later I got my passport, so everything has worked out.

Now all that I have left to do is make sure I am covered under my Dad's medical insurance, pay my program assessment fee and my sevis fee, and pack. The next 29 days are gunna be pretty calm I think-- A couple of dance competitions, trips to toronto and rochester, and some hanging out with friends I haven't seen in a while. Oh, and I have to move my stuff that I brought home from res back to kingston and put it into the house I am renting for next year.

anyways, that's all thats really new with me. I'll probably be up dating this next right before I leave-- the days are going by very quickly!

47 days to go...

Ok, a month since I last wrote and not a whole heck of a lot has changed. In fact, the time is flying by much quicker than I thought it would. There is so much other stuff to keep me busy, and just enjoying my first year of university has been a big part of that. With exams starting this coming week, I'm positive April is going to be gone before I know it.

In terms of Disney stuff that has happened this past month, there isn't much. I applied for my passport, got my background check done, bought my plane tickets, and tomorrow I have to fax in my acknowledgement form. In terms of life in general, March was both busy and relaxing at the same time. I wrote seven papers, there was a couple of snowstorms, three birthdays, a lot of East Side Marios and a momentous haircut for a friend. Then there was easter with my family, a dance competition for my youngest sister in Peterborough, and a dance recital for me here in Kingston. Oh, and then on top of that, listening to Inside The Magic podcasts, which are awesome, and watching old tv shows, (Like Buffy and Full House) and newer tv shows (Like the Office and Heroes) and tv shows that are actually on tv (like ANTM, Biggest Loser, and The Apprentice). Shopping, nail polish and smoothies were also key. Not a lot of that sounds relaxing, but in some strange way life in Kingston has become very familiar. Though I love my family, I adore being here because I'm a grown-up here, I have my own space, I make my own plans, I decide what I'm gunna do and when. Also, my bed is much more comfortable...

This month will be exams-- a stressful time but also an empty one. My days have no classes, just studying, and my exams are pretty spaced out from one another. Then the busy-ness will start up again, with moving out of res and into my house for next year being a huge event. I'm soooo excited for this, to have a room of my own for the next three years is amazing. Mostly I'm just dumping my stuff there for the summer and heading back home, though.

The beginning of the month of May will see me living at home for a short time, and it is going to be a bit wierd for me. Though I have visited numerous times, I haven't really lived there since june of last year-- I was at camp all summer, and then here at university. When I'm there I'm surrounded by my younger siblingsand my mom's daycare kids-- which is fine, I like kids-- but it's where I was my whole childhood, and I feel like I'm past that. It's a wierd feeling, and I don't know if I am properly putting it on paper, but what I mean is I am independent here in a way that I am not at home.

It is really only a short time that I am there, hardly more than a visit anyway, and it'll be a busy time. First comes exams, then going to another dance competition, then moving into my kingston house, then I'm visiting my toronto grandparents for a couple of days, coming home for mothers day, then packing for disney, and then I'm gone! Off to neverland!

Anyways, this post got whiny fast, I think I am just worried about having nothing to do during that home time, but thats silly anyways, I'm busy pretty much the whole time! Also the idea of taking apart my room here in res, my little place of my own, is really disheartening. I don't like the idea of carrying all my stuff down all those stairs!

Anyways, here are my lastest correspondence with yummy jobs, if you're curious:

Greetings,

I hope you are excited for Disney in less than 2 months! To assist you in the process a bit more I have included Step by Step instructions to give you a better understanding of what you will need to do before you go. One thing to note is that it is essential you have Medical Insurance for the length of your program, and the insurance must meet the minimums listed in the Step by Step Guide.

Also, attached is the Acknowledgment form that you must sign, date, and send back to Disney at the number provided at the bottom of the form. Things to note on this document is the Program Assessment fee of $85.50 US, which will reserve your room for you. The website to pay this is located on your acknowledgement form.

Lastly, once your have your DS2019 form in hand, please do pay your Student Exchange Visitor (SEVIS) fee of $35 US. To pay this you will need to go to www.fmjfee.com and pay directly online. Please take the SEVIS receipt with you when you go to Florida.

If you have any questions between now and May 25th, please do not hesitate to ask!

Have a Great Day,


Kristen
Yummy Jobs






Step by Step Guide to ensure you get to Orlando!

PLEASE follow our Handy guide and your
arrival in Florida will be as easy as pie!

POLICE CLEARANCE

You must have a Police Clearance (Background Check) before you are able to arrive in Florida and start at Walt Disney World. To obtain this form, please go to your local or provincial Police Department along with a form of identification and request a Police Clearance Form. Once you have this form, you will need to scan and email the document to Kristen@yummyjobs.com or fax it to 1-416-628-1604.

Please note your Police Clearance must be in at least 30 days before your program arrival date. Failure to do so could cause a delay or cancellation in your program arrival.

INFORMATION PACK

Your Disney Information Pack is included in this package, it includes:
Acknowledgement Form – PLEASE INITIAL + FAX IMMEDIATELY to Disney
Information about your program
Sample Housing Agreement form and Code of Policies and Procedures that you will need to fill out after you arrive in the USA. You do not need to sign these, they are for you to read only.


MEDICAL INSURANCE

1. You are required to have medical insurance for the length of your program. This starts from the date of your departure from Canada.
2. You need to take proof of your insurance when you arrive in the USA.
3. You are free to arrange your medical insurance through any company you wish.
4. It is essential that any policy you have meets the minimum requirements of the visa:

1. Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness
2. Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500
3. Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $10,000
4. A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.

5. Yummy Jobs has negotiated a reduced rate with Seven Corners Insurance, an American medical insurance company underwritten by Lloyd’s of London. You can apply for a policy online. There is a direct link from the Yummy Jobs website (www.yummyjobs.com).
6. Please note that Yummy Jobs is providing this information as an option for you, but Yummy Jobs are not able to make recommendations for your insurance, as this is a choice only you can make.


VISA APPLICATION


You will be working on a J1 Summer Work Travel Visa.

You will receive the DS-2019 Form and instructions approximately one month before your departure.

Once you receive this document, you will need to pay the Student Exchange Visitor (SEVIS) Fee of $35. To pay this, please go to www.FMJfee.com. You will need to bring the SEVIS receipt with you to the immigrations at the boarders or airport.

If you are flying to Orlando you must take the Visa Petition (DS-2019) with you to show at Immigrations at the airport.

If you are driving to Orlando, you must ensure upon reaching the borders that you explain that you will be working in the United States and provide them with your DS-2019. The borders agent will provide you with a white I-94 card which will be needed for you to work in the US. Please note, that if the borders agent tries to wave you through, kindly inform them that you will be working. Failure to receive the I-94 card could delay your start at Walt Disney World.

Non Canadian/American Passport Holders:
Please note, that if you do not hold a Canadian or American passport, you must attend a visa appointment at your nearest US Embassy or Consulate. Please refer to the visa instructions for more information.

ARRIVING IN FLORIDA

When making your travel arrangements please remember that you must arrive on the program arrival date as per your offer letter. If you arrive early, you will be responsible for providing your own transportation to the Housing Complexes and cover any accommodation expenses as your housing will not be available until your scheduled arrival date.

If you are arriving By Plane:

You are responsible for the booking and payment of your round trip flight to Orlando.

It is recommended that you book a fully flexible flight, to protect against any unforeseen circumstances.

Once you book your flights, please email Kristen@Yummyjobs.com as well as wdwinternationalarrivalitineraries@disney.com. Please include your flight company, number, as well as your arrival time in Orlando.

If you are driving to Orlando:

Please email wdwinternationalarrivalitineraries@disney.com and copy Kristen@Yummyjobs.com to confirm the appropriate time to meet the Disney Arrivals Team at the housing complexes. Also, ensure you receive your I-94 card at the border into the USA.


Please note that on the date of completion of your Program you are required to leave your accommodation by 11am. Therefore, if you wish to take advantage of the 30 days you have on your visa after you complete your Program you will need to make alternative arrangements for accommodation from this day onwards.


THINGS TO TAKE WITH YOU

In order to get a social security number & card you need to take the following with you;

A photocopy of the Cover of your Passport
A photocopy of the page with your name, photo, passport number etc
A photocopy of any pages with stamps or writing on them
Additional photocopy of your original birth certificate


If you already have a social security card & number, please bring this with you as well as
the above items.


ON THE DAY OF YOUR DEPARTURE

Please remember to pack your Welcome Book in your hand luggage as it contains important contact numbers you will need if you are delayed.

Please read these instructions again and carefully to make sure you cross all the T’s and dot the I’s.

Avoid problems with your arrival and pay close attention to what you need to do!