A Letter to you from…

To everyone who is a child at heart, “When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable.”

I was born on December 5, 1901 in Chicago Illinois, to my dad Elias Disney, and mother Flora Call Disney. I was one of five children, four boys and a girl.

From a very young age I loved the arts, I never stopped believing in myself. People may come to think of you as insane, but if you believe that “this is what it is” and “I want it this way”, never discourage yourself.

I began to love, and appreciate nature and wildlife, and family and community, which were a large part of agrarian living. Though my father could be quite stern, and often there was little money, I was encouraged by my mom, and older brother, Roy to pursue my talents and dreams. I had to draw and therefore to earn my extra money, I used to draw and sell them to my neighbours and friends.

During the fall of 1918, I attempted to enlist for military service. Well, I was rejected as I was under age, only sixteen years old at the time. Instead, I decided to join the Red Cross and was sent overseas to France, where I spent a year driving an ambulance and chauffeuring Red Cross officials. I am proud to say that my ambulance was covered from stem to stern, not with stock camouflage, but with Disney cartoons! Now that’s how much I believed in myself.

Once I returned from France, I began to pursue a career in commercial art. I started a small company called Laugh-O-Grams. The cartoons were hugely popular, and I was able to acquire my own studio, upon which I bestowed the same name. Laugh-O-Gram hired a number of employees. We did a series of seven-minute fairy tales that combined both live action and animation, which we called Alice in Cartoon land. By 1923, however, the studio became burdened with debt, and I was forced to declare insolvency. With my suitcase, and twenty dollars, I headed to Hollywood to start anew. I and Roy soon pooled money and moved to Hollywood. Iwerks one of the employees from Laugh-O-Grams also relocated to California, and there we began the Disney Brothers’ Studio. Our first deal was with New York distributor Margaret Winkler, to distribute their Alice cartoons. We also invented a character called Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, and contracted the shorts at $1,500 each. However, a few years later, I discovered that Winkler and her husband, Charles Mintz, had stolen the rights to Oswald, along with all of Disney’s animators, except for Iwerks. Right away I and my brothers along with our wives and Iwerks produced three cartoons featuring a new character I had been developing called Mickey Mouse. The first animated shorts featuring Mickey were Plane Crazy and The Gallopin’ Gaucho, both silent films for which we failed to find distribution. When sound made its way into film, I created a third, sound-and-music-equipped short called Steamboat Willie. With my voice as the voice of Mickey, the cartoon was an instant sensation. You see if I ever stopped believing in myself, I would never have been able to create a sensational cartoon which everyone including adults liked. There were times I was down, but in always found a way out and pushed myself to believe.

“Somehow I can’t believe that there are any heights that can’t be scaled by a man who knows the secrets of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four C s. They are curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy.”

Curiosity, may I say is what helps a child grow. It is what they learn from. And it is what most adults’ lack, because you see that’s the real trouble with the world. Too many people grow up. No one should really grow up, that is when they genuinely will have values which are hard to erase. Genuineness comes with child like humility and curiosity to learn.

As I said before, confidence is really, truly believing in you and what you are capable of. Hold your spirits high and do not bow down for negativity. Every individual is capable of something great.

When you take risks, and are ready to face whatever that comes along with the risks, the challenges are supposed to be met head on. This is what courage is. Simply believing in you and investing in you is courage, trying to take your belief to the highest point is courage.

Constancy. It is difficult to be constant. There will be moments where you would want to think differently than you believe, you will feel pressured but consistency will keep you going. When you keep going ahead and never devolve your attention, anything rigid is bound to give way to you. Therefore, my lads keep at it.

I always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter. Even though it can be complex, you will always be able to find your way through its maze, so our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them!

Yours Truly, Walt Disney.

Written by Devuni Goonewardene email any feedback to devuni@gmail.com

I completed my A levels in the science stream at St Peter’s College, Colombo; the medium of instruction was Sinhalese. However, my counselor assured me that this transition wouldn’t be an issue. Even though I wasn’t very convinced, it was when I started classes I realized that ANC provides an outstanding learning environment for every student. I was interested in business related courses, but my worry was how I was going to be fully exposed to an English-only environment. We followed the same curriculum foll owe d by our American counterparts at the Northwood University without any localization, and ANC maintains the same standards developed by US universities.

However, I could see the “green light” within less than 3 weeks: ANC conducts preparatory English and Math classes for every student who needs extra support. These courses are well designed that students are motivated and prepared to take college level classes within 3 months. We learned English through class discussions on recommended readings, presentations, group activities, essay writing exercises, movies, peer reviews, and instructor feedback which helped us not only improve our language skills but also cultivate critical thinking skills. In conjunction with reading and writing, Academic English course reviews key grammar points and hones listening, speaking, and supplementary skills such as note-taking, summarizing, paraphrasing, etc. in preparation for the subsequent courses to be taken. In addition, remedial classes are conducted for those who need more help, so overcoming the language barrier was not at all a problem.

Q: Why did you want to complete your degree in Sri Lanka? ANC’s US Transfer Program is also popular among students, isn’t it?

Well, I too wanted to transfer to a US university, but I never regret my decision to complete my degree in Sri Lanka. The first reason why I opted to do my degree here is that I wasn’t ready to leave home, my loving parents who have been very supportive throughout. Second, ANC gave me the opportunity to follow a US degree offered by the Northwood University here in Sri Lanka. Northwood University is ranked among the top 10 best private business universities nationally in USA, and Northwood is offering their complete American university degree programs at ANC Education without any localization, so students get the full benefit of a real American university environment. Our lecturers are also either US educated or working under the supervision of US partner universities. They take a personal interest in every student. It’s always a learner- centered environment which encourages participation, independent thinking, and self expression. In addition to full-time lecturers, industry experts are also drawn

ANC’s Guaranteed Paid Student Internship (GPSI) program has been a stepping stone for many students to gain a clear edge in the competition for employment upon graduation. Thanks to Mr Chathura, the Academic Head, ANC, I interned at Hirdaramani , a top apparel manufacturer in Sri Lanka, in summer 2016. I was a paid intern, and this gave me the opportunity to be working with great people who helped me gain the necessary exposure to the corporate culture and hands- on- experience in the field of Human Re s o u r c e Management. I was given guidance step by step to apply my theoretical knowledge into practice, to actual situations and issues. Upon g raduation I was recruited as a Trainee Executive- HR and Administration. In addition to gaining hands- on experience and exposure to realworld problems and issues that perhaps are not found in textbooks, GPSI program helps students cultivate adaptability and creativity in a dynamic world, refine their skills, strengthen their resumes, make a career network for themselves, which would come in handy in future, and evaluate specific companies or specific careers prior to committing to full-time employment.

Second, ANC gave me the opportunity to follow a US degree offered by the Northwood University here in Sri Lanka. Northwood University is ranked among the top 10 best private business universities nationally in USA, and Northwood is offering their complete American university degree programs at ANC Education without any localization, so students get the full benefit of a real American university environment. Our lecturers are also either US educated or working under the supervision of US partner universities. They take a personal interest in every student.

Q: Apart from Academics, what are the opportunities for ANC students to develop their employability skills?

ANC is not only about higher education. Students are encouraged to participate in extra- curricular activities as well. Student activities at ANC comprise of several committees and clubs for students to participate in numerous recreational activities, to contribute to community development and to improve their leadership and team working skills. Further, social and cultural activities are organized to develop socio-cultural harmony. I made great friends at ANC, the kind of friendships I know will last a lifetime.

Q: Why did you want to start your MBA immediately after graduation?

ANC School of Postgraduate Education offers MBA qualifications in joint collaboration with the University of West London. I could complete my undergraduate degree within 3 years; since I was already employed, I realized that postgraduate qualifications would enhance my career prospects. And it was a great opportunity to be taught by some of my beloved lecturers again even though they play the role of a facilitator now. I was also given an alumni scholarship, so ANC assists students with setting and achieving goals that prepare them for rewarding careers and continued education.

ANC wishes Piumal continued success! Contact 0777449955 or visit us at http://www.ancedu.com/ No. 308, R.A. De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 3. for more information about our degree programs.