To see France, Canada and Germany all in one place was an opportunity that Jamie McCann will never forget at least not any time soon.

What McCann, a junior in elementary education from Carbondale, thought was only a chance to gain experience for her future turned out to also be a haven for everlasting friendships.

She said she did more than enhance her resume while participating in the Walt Disney World College Program last summer.

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There’s so many different cultures, McCann said. It’s the only place I know that you can walk down the hall and walk into a room and have so many nationalities that you can relate to. They’re all there doing the same job.

The people you meet are your friends forever. I still keep in contact with some of them.

Now McCann is a campus representative for the program and will recruit on campus Tuesday for summer and fall 1998 positions.

The Walt Disney World College Program is a semester-long internship that is primarily open to students in their freshman to junior years.

Students who participate in the program live with other students from all over the world, including international students. They work full-time entry-level positions at Walt Disney World, such as food and beverage worker, lifeguard and merchandise host and hostess. Last fall the program offered 21 positions.

Andrea Barnaby, a junior in elementary education from Marion, never has been away from home during the summer and said going to Florida was one of the best experiences of her life. She was made to feel at home while in the Walt Disney World College Program.

It was my first time away from home for three months, Barnaby said. It was a big change, but it was great. They provide you with an apartment. It has a pool, tennis courts, workout facilities and computers too.

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As hostess at an Epcot restaurant, Arquilla Campbell, a sophomore in political science from Monee, made many international friends as well. She said now, she will feel comfortable in any country she visits.

It was wonderful because I ate so many different foods, Campbell said. I had so much fun. I know when I go to any country I will have a friend to be with.

Considering last summer was Campbell’s first visit to Walt Disney World, she returned to Carbondale with memories of the friends she made including her favorite Walt Disney characters.

When I saw Mickey I was so happy, Campbell said. I took about 14 rolls of film. That was my mission to take pictures with every Disney character. Minnie, Mickey, everybody that’s in the movies I took a picture with.

As far as the learning experience, Campbell said she is ready for any obstacle that awaits her in the future. The incorporation of a working environment with people from around the world will definitely assist her in the political science field.

One thing about Disney is that it is a learning and living experience, she said. I feel as if I can work anywhere now. Probably the best thing I learned was how to serve people and make them happy. Political science is people. It deals with a lot of international people too.

Bryon Fielding, a junior in business management from Knoxville, was in the program two years ago and said he had a blast working for one of the most well-known establishments in the world. He said working as a lifeguard gave him the opportunity to meet famous people such as Michael Jackson, John Stamos, Grant Hill and Scottie Pippen.

They usually come after hours, Fielding said. They were escorted around and stuff. There was this lady making a fool out of herself. He (Scottie Pippen) kind of laughed. I kind of held her back, and he saw my name tag and said What’s up Bryon?’ McCann said opportunities like Bryon’s can be taken advantage of by participating in the program. She said it is a chance to meet new people, network and have fun.

I’m responsible for getting the word out that Walt Disney World is coming, she said. I’m like the connection. The chance of getting a job is high. If you come in and seem like a good candidate, they may hire you.

Factoid:The informational meeting about the Walt Disney College Program will be 5:30 tonight in Room 102 of the Agriculture Building, or call Jamie McCann at 457-6969 or Christine Mariani at 549-5000.