Spirits Abroad: Nicole Martinez

Name: Nicole Martinez

Weenie Class: Fall 2011

Major: Psychology

How will you be spending your summer?

I'll be studying abroad in Santender, Spain, to finish my Spanish credits (what better way??). But I will be going about two weeks early to travel around Europe.

What are you hoping to gain from your experience?

Besides the fact that I'm set on coming back fluent in Spanish, I honestly just want to gain insight about myself and about different people and cultures. I want to gain new perspectives and of course a ton of great memories!

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

Well, my passport because I don't want to get stranded anywhere! But also my GoPro - this little, totally durable video camera - because I want to document this whole trip/experience and make a video of it. Lastly, I probably would say my journal, so I can write down phrases that I learn in various languages, document my favorite places, and just write about everything I see.

What will you miss most about Austin?

Honestly, I'll probably miss the outdoor scenery/trails. I love running on really nice days here in Austin, and I know my favorite routes. But I won't know any over in Europe...but, you know, I'll find some or make them up.

Have fun, Nicole! CIWY

Spirits Abroad: Meghan Kahlig

Name: Meghan Kahlig

Weenie Class: Fall 2012

Major: Public Relations

How will you be spending your summer?

I will be spending the summer in my hometown of San Antonio where I'll be interning at KJ 97 country radio station. I'll be assisting with everything from marketing to event planning and everything in between!

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

I'm honestly so excited to apply my PR knowledge to an actual working environment. Plus KJ 97 was rated the number one country radio station in the nation so I'm definitely looking to learn from all of the professionals that work there.

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

I'll make sure to have a Sharpie and a camera with me at all times in case I run into any country singers! Also can't forget my cowboy boots.

What will you miss most about Austin?

I'll miss the creative energy and spirit that thrives in Austin. It's such a wonderful environment to design and work in.

Have fun, Meghan! CIWY

Spirits Abroad: Jacqui Bontke

Name: Jacqui Bontke

Weenie Class: Fall 2011

Major: Advertising

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

This summer I will be living in Brooklyn and working in Manhattan at an ad agency called Mcgarrybowen as their art direction intern. Mcgarrybowen does a lot of the advertising for Miracle Whip, Crayola, Reebok, Verizon Wireless, Advil, and Canada Dry to name a few. This was basically my dream situation this summer since I am studying creative advertising at UT in the Texas Creative Sequence.

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

I hope to eventually be in New York City after graduation, but living in Texas all my life, I wanted to be sure I am cut out for it first. My whole family is originally from Brooklyn so I have a feeling it is in my blood.

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

My idea journal so I can document all the things that inspire me, closed-toed shoes (the city isn't equipped for sandals), and my knowledge of the subway system.

What will you miss most about Austin?

My family. Torchy's Tacos. Wednesdays at Zocalo. Friday nights at Central Market. And Texas Spirits.

Have fun, Jacqui! CIWY

Spirits Abroad: Ashley McAdams

Name: Ashley McAdams

Weenie Class: Fall 2011

Major: Supply Chain Management

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

Program through McCombs where we follow a product backwards through its supply chain. It starts here in Austin, TX. Then we visit Midlothian, TX. Then Los Angeles, CA. And then spend a month in Hong Kong visiting factories and taking 6 credit hours, 3 being at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

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

Cultural experience and a different view of life and the world.

How will you take Texas Spirits with you?

I definitely plan to pack a LOT of Spirits shirts and spread the spirit all across China, documenting my experiences in my Spirits swag.

Describe yourself in three words.

Blessed beyond belief!

Have fun, Ashley! CIWY

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