John Kolbe Email & Phone Number

Fuzhou, Fujian, China

Fuzhou, Fujian, China

Epcot Center, Lake Buena Vista, Florida

It's been over half a decade since the first time I worked in Walt Disney World and I was eager to go back with all the new skills I have developed since then. Both professionally and emotionally I was an improved person, yet I still had the same enthusiasm I had when I originally applied back in 2009.By experiencing both the resorts and the parks, I knew this time I definitely wanted to work in a theme park. Coincidentally, I actually received a very similar position as my first… Show more It's been over half a decade since the first time I worked in Walt Disney World and I was eager to go back with all the new skills I have developed since then. Both professionally and emotionally I was an improved person, yet I still had the same enthusiasm I had when I originally applied back in 2009.By experiencing both the resorts and the parks, I knew this time I definitely wanted to work in a theme park. Coincidentally, I actually received a very similar position as my first program renting strollers and wheelchairs, but this time I would be working in Epcot. I thought, "What better place to be working as both a Disney lover and a language/multicultural lover?!"One of the proudest moments of my life was when I received my name Disney name tag with languages and all. As I mentioned before, I was first introduced to Chinese language during my first program, and despite everyone saying how hard it would be to learn, I eventually achieved a level where I can saw I know Chinese. The day I received that name tag was years of hard work represented a small piece of plastic that I could wear everyday to show my accomplishment. It did not only include Mandarin, but also Spanish and Japanese as well.As for the new job, I worked just as tenaciously as before, and put my languages to good use everyday. Through my hard work, and past experience as being a teacher and vast knowledge of Disney, I was approached by one of my leaders to offer me the role of being a merchandise area trainer for Epcot's Park Arrivals and Future World. The amount of joy I received from this role was astounding since I could essentially go all around Epcot, both on stage and back stage, to teach the new cast members. I trained new full time, part time, and transferring cast members, but my favorite was to train the new local and international college program cast members because that was where I started for the first time all those years ago. Show less

Greater Detroit Area

Being freshly returned from my two years in China, I was surprisingly encounter some counter-culture shock. I slowly had to remember that not everyone around me could speak Chinese any more (also, no one no longer had a sense of amazement when they found out I was from the United States either), how to not slurp noodles in public, and how to properly use a crosswalk again. To my surprise upon my return, I was immediately offered a position at the Confucius Institute, which I accepted… Show more Being freshly returned from my two years in China, I was surprisingly encounter some counter-culture shock. I slowly had to remember that not everyone around me could speak Chinese any more (also, no one no longer had a sense of amazement when they found out I was from the United States either), how to not slurp noodles in public, and how to properly use a crosswalk again. To my surprise upon my return, I was immediately offered a position at the Confucius Institute, which I accepted without a second thought. Recalling from when I entered the Confucius Institute for the first time about three years ago from that day, I would never had imagined that I would eventually be working there. It was quite an honor to be given that opportunity.Myself and our whole Confucius Institute accomplished many different goals while I was there ranging from typical office work of sending emails to preparing their annual events such as the Greater Detroit Chinese Cooking Contest. One of the most enjoyable projects that Wayne State's Confucius Institute has to offer is its "Learn a Chinese Phrase" video series. Each video allows the institute to get their creative juices flowing in order to teach interesting Chinese words and phrases in a fun new way (one of their most interesting examples can be found in the link below). In addition, I helped with preparations of other events such as their annual CLAM (Chinese Language Association of Michigan Conferences) event and their Michigan China Quiz Bowl, but the Chinese graduates did the majority of heavy lifting for those events which makes me really admire their hard work. I also worked on different marketing aspects such as creating emails, Facebook posts, flyers, and even a buzzfeed quiz. Besides for only working, in my spare time, I took part in Wayne State's dragon boat racing team, and I also participated in the Midwest Chinese Bridge Speech Competition in which I placed 3rd and learned how to play the guzheng for the competition. Show less

Greater Detroit Area

Arising from my passion and borderline obsession with comic books, I have worked on and off for many years at Liberty Comics. When I first started, it was known as Bob's Comics located in Warren, Michigan. During my time there, I accomplished a variety of tasks including the cataloging and organizing of comic books, pricing comic books, helping guests find the perfect comic for their personality and even being Spider-Man on occasions (but don't tell Norman Osborn about this). All the while, I… Show more Arising from my passion and borderline obsession with comic books, I have worked on and off for many years at Liberty Comics. When I first started, it was known as Bob's Comics located in Warren, Michigan. During my time there, I accomplished a variety of tasks including the cataloging and organizing of comic books, pricing comic books, helping guests find the perfect comic for their personality and even being Spider-Man on occasions (but don't tell Norman Osborn about this). All the while, I was able the witness the change of Bob's Comics turning into Liberty Comics, which also changed locations from Warren, Michigan to Roseville, Michigan in which I helped with as well. For the time being, it was perfect job where I can work with and meet many cool and interesting people, and at the same time be in awe at all the comics I saw everyday. Show less

Wuhan, Hubei, China

Although I have tutored people many times in past in an array of subjects, this was my first experience to fully become comfortable teaching in front of a big audience. Little did I know that this weekend job (working a full 8-10 hours on both Saturday and Sunday) would allow me to build many skills that I would use everyday in my personal life and in future jobs. Generally speaking, I taught four semesters of oral English to multiple college student classes. Each class we would learn… Show more Although I have tutored people many times in past in an array of subjects, this was my first experience to fully become comfortable teaching in front of a big audience. Little did I know that this weekend job (working a full 8-10 hours on both Saturday and Sunday) would allow me to build many skills that I would use everyday in my personal life and in future jobs. Generally speaking, I taught four semesters of oral English to multiple college student classes. Each class we would learn how to converse in practical situations, such as ordering food and going to the hospital. Being a language learner myself, I strongly believe that to learn a language fully one must also learn the culture of where that language is spoken. With this in mind, I also taught them many cultural aspects about the United States. During this time, I created and prepared all the PowerPoint slides and course material for each lesson myself, allowing me to truly embrace my creative side. In addition, I also came to find out that a PowerPoint is not only about flash and glare, but also the structure and readability of each slide, thus developing my PowerPoint effectiveness skills. Finally, this position taught me confidence, patience and a way to explain topics more clearly and simply than ever before, which are all key skills regardless of what job a person may possess. Show less

Port Orleans French Quarter/Riverside Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida

I had such a good time the first time around, a couple years later I decided to go round two at Walt Disney World by applying for their Summer Alumni Program, a program that is only offered for Cast Members who previously completed a full College Program in good standing and is still currently in school.Although I would have fully enjoyed going back to the same location I was at before, I decided I wanted to learn something new and have a different work experience. Luckily this time I… Show more I had such a good time the first time around, a couple years later I decided to go round two at Walt Disney World by applying for their Summer Alumni Program, a program that is only offered for Cast Members who previously completed a full College Program in good standing and is still currently in school.Although I would have fully enjoyed going back to the same location I was at before, I decided I wanted to learn something new and have a different work experience. Luckily this time I was placed in resort instead of a theme park. Even though both are located in Walt Disney World, it is surprising that the feeling and management of these two locations were completely different, even down to how we clock in and clock out (here we swipe our ID card, at Magic Kingdom we enter our PERNR into the CDS system). At this location I learned an entirely new set of customer service skills since needs and wants of our guests are quite different when we compare guests when they are in the theme park and guests in the resorts. They no longer care about the wait time in lines, but more about cleanliness, the ambiance of the resort, and their overall quality of relaxation.On the job, I learned how to operate even more vehicles than before, since we had to use multiple vehicles to dispose of different styles of waste. In addition, my location taught us more safety features related to hazardous materials and cleaning solutions. Which items to recycle and which to simply throw away also became quite a crucial topic. I developed my skills of time management and independently completing tasks because the majority of days I would have to dispose of certain number of garbage bins or clean a certain number of bathrooms in a given amount of time.Outside of work, despite my very poor skills at the time, I shocked many people by the little Chinese I could speak. I continued to meet friends who will be with me for a lifetime, and made every moment count by enjoying my time there. Show less

Magic Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, Florida

This was it! My first time leaving home to work in a new and exotic location where I did not know a soul in the entire state, but little did I know that this experience will change my life forever.I have always loved Disney, whether it be their movies or theme parks, Disney has always had a place in heart. So the moment I saw the recruitment presentation for the Disney College Program at Macomb Community College presented by Marcie, I was completely sold in going.As soon as I… Show more This was it! My first time leaving home to work in a new and exotic location where I did not know a soul in the entire state, but little did I know that this experience will change my life forever.I have always loved Disney, whether it be their movies or theme parks, Disney has always had a place in heart. So the moment I saw the recruitment presentation for the Disney College Program at Macomb Community College presented by Marcie, I was completely sold in going.As soon as I went home that night, that immediately searched for the link to apply, and after my first ever phone interview and months of waiting, I was finally accepted! I was on my way to the most magical place on earth. In reality, my original intention was to go there to eventually pursue a career within the animation studio, but as many knows, life will through many new and unexpected scenarios your way.This was the first time ever working for a company this big, and I never imagined how massive the Disney Corporation truly is. It brought understanding and appreciate for an organization that could have so many complexities, but be so organized at the same time. In my time working, I worked at the entrance of the Magic Kingdom renting strollers, EVCs, and wheelchairs. Being the busiest park, I quickly learned patience, teamwork, crowd control, customer service and how to deal with multicultural interactions from our international guests. Being there for a few months, I was offered a the package pickup job.In addition to my on the job experience, I was also introduced to a whole array of cultures and people around the world. In fact, it was here when I was first introduced to the Chinese language, something that would eventually change my life and bring many great opportunities. At that time I just learned a word or two for fun, but never in a million years would I be able to predict that seven years from then I would be going to Shanghai Disneyland to plan and understand everything in the park. Show less

Master'S Degree, International Trade - School Of Economics

Since I did not necessarily achieve a degree I truly wanted in my time as an undergraduate, after a year of working at Walt Disney World.

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Asian Studies/Civilization

Activities and Societies: Chinese Corner International Club While I was still studying at Macomb Community College, I originally decided.

Intensive Chinese Language Study, Chinese Language And Literature

With a recently discovered passion for Chinese language and culture at that time, I decided to strictly study Chinese for two years.

Associate'S Degree, General Studies

Activities and Societies: Volunteer of the Year Recipient Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society While trying to find my passion, I studied.