Spirits Abroad: Hannah Waitt

Name: Hannah Waitt

Weenie Class: Spring 2010

Major: Plan II Honors/International Relations and Global Studies

Where will you be going and what will you be doing there?

This summer I am going to Seoul, South Korea, to intern at Billboard Magazine, more specifically working with Billboard Korea and with a column that Billboard USA runs in the magazine and on the website called K-Town that focuses on K-Pop. As an intern I will be writing and reporting news, interviewing artists, and reviewing albums and concerts - basically everything a music journalist would do in the United States, but instead it's all about K-Pop!

What are the three most important things you'll be packing?

Ranch dressing for me, hot Cheetos for my friends who can't get them in Korea, and a bathing suit so I can go island hopping with some fellow Spirits, Andrea Chao and Caitlin Cash, in Thailand for a week!

What are you most hoping to gain out of your experience?

I am really hoping to gain some valuable experience in music business, the career field that I am pursuing after graduation. I'm going to try to learn as much about the music industry as I can before I start on my master's degree in Music Business at NYU in the fall. It will also be great to have some fun in Seoul before I start up school again!

How will you take Texas Spirits with you on your trip?

I'm taking along just a couple of photos to put on my walls...

Have fun, Hannah! CIWY

Spirits Abroad: Ghada Soufan

Name: Ghada Soufan

Weenie Class: Fall 2010

Major: Advertising

So, where will you be going and what will you be doing there?

I will be interning at DraftFCB, an advertising agency, in Chicago!

What are you most hoping to gain out of your experience this summer?

I am hoping to gain experience working in a big city. Chicago is one of the largest advertising hubs and I am ready to apply my past experience, as well as be a sponge to everything I learn!

What are the three most important things you'll be packing?

1. My swimsuit - I can't wait to live right on the water

2. Coffee - it's a must when you're working full-time

3. Camera - it'll be a summer for the books

How will you be taking Texas Spirits with you on your adventure?

Confidence. The Actives and alumnae in Spirits are so inspiring that they've been wonderful role models throughout college. A lot of who I am is thanks to Spirits and that is something I'll take with me anymore. Plus, there will be Spirit alumnae in Chicago so I'll get to keep a small piece of it in the city as well!

Fun fact about yourself?

I'm a Chobani-ac. It's the best Greek yogurt ever, y'all.

Have fun, Ghada! CIWY

Spirits Abroad: Namanda Musoke

Name: Namanda Musoke

Weenie Class: Fall 2011

Major: Music-Voice Performance

Tell me a little about what you'll be doing and where you'll be going this summer.

I'll be going to Uganda with my mom for about two and a half weeks to visit my family. The last time I visited was about 12 years ago, so needless to say, it's been a while and I'm pretty excited.

What are you most hoping to gain out of your experience?

I mainly hope to reconnect with family members I never get to see. It would also be cool if I could pick up some of the local language (Luganda) during the short time I'm there.

How will you take Texas Spirits with you on your trip?

I try to embody our four pillars wherever I go, so I will definitely carry that aspect with me as a travel to the Motherland.

What will you miss most about Austin?

Tex-Mex for sure. And food trailers. And of course my bonding time with the Spirits that are staying over the summer.

Have fun, Namanda! CIWY