Searching for a program

Welcome back!

This week we will be discussing how to find a program and what to look for!

The biggest part of finding a program is knowing where you want to go. You want to go where it makes sense for you to go. You need to go somewhere where you will be comfortable working and living for a couple weeks or months.

What to look for:

Websites:

Make sure you are looking for credible programs and websites. There are several websites such as Greenheart Travel, (https://greenhearttravel.org/) that are available to help you find a program. Finding credible websites such as this one or Travelingua (https://www.travelingua.es/) that I mentioned last week can help you a lot by being able to click through from program to program. Websites often mean credibility.

Housing:

Now for the fun stuff! Housing is an important aspect to selecting a program. First and foremost, you want to look for the information on housing before anything else. If a company has a legitimate housing program, then you can bet on that being a company worth working for.

Just like college, it’s important to be comfortable where you live. You want to know if it is dorm-styled, apartments, hotel-like, etc. I discussed the dorm-like housing at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA last week, and that can be expected from many different programs.

Next, find out if you can pick your roommate or not. You don’t have to be their best friend, but pick someone you can LIVE with! Think about the important characteristics such as if you both are neat or messy, go to bed early or night owls, or if you both like hosting guests or going to other’s rooms.

Make sure you are looking for what’s important to you, such as a kitchen, entertainment areas, free WiFi, televisions, etc. Also, you don’t want to pay too much. Check the prices before you commit!

In the end, hopefully you won’t be in your room that much to where a television even matters. Hopefully you will be out exploring your summer home!

The job:

This is the most important aspect of selecting a program. You will most likely be working a decent amount, so pick a program where you will at least be able to tolerate your job! The good part is that you will be with people your age and in the same situation as you. But, you ant to pick a job you are comfortable with. If you hate heat and humidity, working in an amusement park may not be for you, try finding something indoors such as retail!

Make sure the pay can sustain your trip. The idea of work-travel programs is to experience life somewhere else for an extended period of time! Don’t expect to return home rich, just be pleasantly surprised if you happen to do so.

Questions to think about:

Is job is worth your time and salary? It is up to you to determine what qualifies as being worth your time, think of this before making your decision.

What is the culture? Will this be a place where you will be happy or comfortable for a while? If you are going abroad, consider your abilities with that language!

How much are you working and are there vacation days provided? You ultimately have a job to do, however you want to explore your summer home! Do some research to find out if you will be able to take weekend trips or explore the area. Make your time there worth it.

Never be afraid to reach out to alums of the programs! Check the websites for testimonials. Gather as much information before you go, but don’t let that impede your preconceptions of the job: go in with an open mind!

Next week:

Thank you for reading and check back Monday, October 21st for the next post where I will lay out the Disney College Program!