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Safi Bent
2016 graduate attended Disney College Program, majored in psychology Ben McHenry
mchenben000@hsestudents.org
D
isney orld may not be the first place that comes to mind when deciding where to pursue higher education. ut for graduate afi ent, isney orld, more specifically the isney ollege rogram, was an integral part of her career path. he isney ollege rogram is a five to seven month program at either isney orld or isney and resort, where students stay in housing comple es near the resort. he program consists of a paid internship, as well as classes. hile it is a common vacation spot, the isney ollege rogram is anything but a vacation. eing in the was fun but also tiring,” ent said. I met new people everyday from all over the world and learned new things from that. I made some of my best friends there, but I also had to work or more hours each week and take two online classes. ut I would not take that e perience back for anything.” ent applied to the program while studying psychology at Indiana tate niversity. t least one semester of college is re uired to apply to the program, but ent attended the summer after her sophomore year. er decision to apply was guided by her love of isney. I have loved isney since I was little and I thought it would be ama ing to help magic for a little kid who shares that love of isney,” ent said. he classes at the program have two main focuses how isney runs their business in numerous fields and career development for the specific student s interests. ften, these can be used for credit at whatever school one may attend due to the high level training at the program.
ent is finishing her undergrad with a psychology ma or and a counseling minor, and she is planning on going to grad school for her masters. he plans to be a school counselor, and found the isney rogram s work e perience incredibly valuable to her career tra ectory. he program helped me to be more realistic about my future due to the number of hours I worked,” ent said. ometimes you get a ob that wants you to work hours a week, and I was able to prove to myself that I can handle that.” ent attributes much of her career and life interests to , where she founded the isney lub her senior year, as well as to the city of ishers. y time at was calm but still fun, I loved my teachers and I made some great friends there,” ent said. y guidance counselor and history teacher made me think about how I want to help children and that is why I am now working to be a school counselor. ishers and has also played a part in who I am today, It has made me want to travel, e plore the world and meet new people everywhere I go.”
afi ent proudl holds up her Disney College Program diploma alongside Mickey and Minnie Mouse in January 2019. Photo used with permission of Safi Bent.
