International Royalty! Zetas Studying Abroad over the summer

Welcome home Texas Zetas! 

We hope you are as excited to hear about our Zeta sisters and their experiences studying abroad as we are! Check out all of the amazing opportunities and exploring they did this summer in their responses below. 

Rachel Miller- PC'12

Alumni Relations Director

Why did you decide to study abroad?

Spending a summer in Paris has been a dream of mine since my first French class in 2007 but I would have never anticipated how incredible of an experience Studying Abroad would be. This summer I spent 9 weeks studying abroad in Paris! The program I chose was CIEE Paris Summer Language and Culture, and I chose this specific program because it allowed me to finish my Minor in French! 

What were some of your favorite parts about your experience studying abroad?

I also opted to live with a host family because I really wanted to immerse myself with the French culture. While most people have a scared reaction about living with a host family, I had a great experience! While neither of the parents spoke English it was a fun challenge to truly have to learn to communicate with them. While in Paris I took cooking classes, tried escargot, went to the French Open, visited vineyards, chateaus and much more! During my 9 weeks I also was fortunate enough to be able to travel all around France and to Munich and even Barcelona! It was so much fun getting to travel and meet up with my other friends studying abroad in different cities! I highly encourage everyone to study abroad and truly immerse themselves in another culture!

Jeana Thompson- PC'13

Why did you decide to study abroad?
I decided to go abroad because I feel like experiences like that truly shape a person. Experiencing different parts of the world expands ones perspective in amazing ways. There are some things you learn abroad that you can't learn anywhere else. EVERYONE needs to study abroad at some point in their lives! With that in mind, I traveled all the way to Hong Kong.

What were some of your favorite parts about your experience studying abroad?
My favorite memory was the view from the top of the Great Wall of China. After hours of intense quad burning and sweat, the view absolutely took my breath away. There is nothing like it in America and to be able to see something so beautiful was truly amazing. It created a new-found appreciation in me for the beauty of other countries and for the history behind them.


Jackie Waterland-PC'11
Treasurer

Why did you decide to study abroad?
It has always been my dream to travel and immerse myself into different cultures. I decided to go abroad this summer when I found out the McCombs School of Business offered the opportunity to take an internship while also getting to live in the exciting city of Barcelona. I couldn't believe how perfect it was!

What were some of your favorite parts about your experience studying abroad?
My favorite memory was when I visited a friend in Scotland to attend a music festival called T in the Park. I've been to a few festivals but I had never experienced anything like this. The grounds were huge and over 85,000 people attended each day. I got to see headliners like the Artic Monkeys and discovered a new favorite band, Rudimental. But what I enjoyed most about my time there was how incredibly friendly the Scottish were. From the moment I arrived at the airport every single person I talked to was open and genuinely kind. It left such a last impression. I can't wait to go back!



Maddy McGlamery- PC'11
Judicial Director

Maddy (left) and her little Lauren Sanders (right)

Why did you decide to study abroad?

I had decided to go abroad long before I actually went. It had been a dream of mine since high school and the opportunity finally presented itself the summer before my senior year! I chose to go abroad because I have a desire to see everything there is to see out there. I wanted to expand my worldview because sometimes we forget that although our sorority and friends are a big part of our lives, they hold only a very small place in a really big world. I wanted to go abroad to put that in perspective for myself and push myself out of the comfort zone of home. I also believe that learning about other cultures and gaining respect for the ways they differ from our own is a worthwhile endeavor and that in doing so, there is a lot to be learned from those cultures. And that’s not even to mention how many cool people you meet when you’re abroad!

What were some of your favorite parts about your experience studying abroad?

A favorite memory of mine from my summer abroad comes from the times I spent sitting with good friends on the Seine River in a spot overlooking the Notre Dame cathedral at sunset. We visited this spot frequently during the time we studied in Paris and enjoyed quite a few bottles of wine (we are all of age!) as well as a multitude of card games and good conversations there. Once, some French guys our age came along and asked to join our card game. We obliged and they sat and taught us some fun phrases in French as we played and chatted. Although that location on the Seine River was prime and the view was spectacular, the time I spent with those friends there taught me the lesson that who you are traveling with is much more important that the destination to which you are traveling – both in travel and in life.

Rachel Robillard- PC'11

Why did you decide to study abroad?

When brainstorming what I wanted to do over the summer, I knew I wanted to earn course credit or gain journalism experience through work samples. My journalism professor, Dr. Kris Wilson, encouraged me to apply to his journalism maymester study abroad class to earn both course credit and work samples. I am an aspiring world traveler, so it did not take long for me to apply and commit.

The UT Journalism class was called Reporting on our Changing Environment in one of the most exotic, isolated, and ecologically diverse places on Earth: Australia. This class operated as an intensive reporting and writing class with the goal of producing content across all media platforms. Armed with digital cameras, audio recorders, computers and notepads in the company of scientific experts and field guides, I understood the concepts of scientific certainty and uncertainty, the science of climate change and effectively communicating that science, and the elements and structures to good science/ environment storytelling. 

Check out my Australian work samples at www.rachelrobillard.com

What were some of your favorite parts about your experience studying abroad?

I knew I had to scuba dive at the Great Barrier Reef while in Australia. It's silly not to! That's the reason why I earned my scuba diving license in Australia. Experiencing the world down under (literally) was the most breathtaking thing I've ever done. Off the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef around Lady Elliot Island, I saw mantarays, sea turtles and even a black tip reef shark! Documenting the underwater wildlife with my GoPro was the beautiful. The mantarays came so close to my diving group, that I was able to distinguish the species. My diving instructor taught us that there are three types of mantarays, which I did not know beforehand. I am so, very glad I got my scuba diving license to experience the Great Barrier Reef and the world down under.

If you would like to learn more about my experience abroad in Australia, visit my personal blog: http://australiawithrachrobes.blogspot.com.

Kelsey McGlamery-PC'13

Assistant Treasurer

Why did you decide to study abroad? 
I was blessed this summer with the opportunity to study abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland. I decided to study abroad because I knew I wanted to get credits this summer, so why not do it while enjoying another country?! It was also a great chance to step outside of my comfort zone and to meet cute Scottish boys!

What were some of your favorite parts about your experience studying abroad?
My favorite memory was when I took an hour train ride to a near by town to go bungee jumping with guys I had met from my program. I was abnormally excited for bungee jumping... until I was up on a platform standing 150 feet over a river. Despite my fears, we all ended up loving it and it was truly an experience of a lifetime. The friends I made abroad made the experience remarkable and I would highly recommend studying abroad if given the opportunity!

What to Expect for Rush

RUSH. For some girls, talk of recruitment makes you excited and eager to start! But for most girls, that’s not the case. I was definitely one of those girls last year. Do not, and I repeat, do not be alarmed if people start to talk about rush and you start to feel your face turn red as you realize you should have put on more deodorant that morning. Let’s just say recruitment at The University of Texas will probably blow all of your expectations out of the water. Rush is a breeze if you make it one. So let’s get you prepared!

Convocation

Convocation is the evening before the first day of recruitment at Hogg Auditorium. This is when everything really starts to sink in. Cramming 1,000 girls going through rush into one room is a bit of a stretch, but it’s surprisingly fun and upbeat. Make a point to make friends with the girls sitting next to you and in your rush group! You never know who could end up being one of your sisters in as little as a week. Plus, it’s nice to start the “getting-to-know-you” convo’s now because you’ll be having quite a few of them in the near future. You also receive your Open House t-shirts and tote bag to carry your belongings in throughout the week. Tonight, just wear the normal comfy clothes. Tip: Pack your tote tonight and get your clothes ready. Don’t forget things like deodorant, comfy slip-on shoes to wear between houses, toiletries, mints (not gum), and a fan if possible. Also download the Texas map application on your iPhone!

Open House

The Open House round is split into two days and you will visit all 14 sorority houses. Don’t try to skip one! Panhellenic requires that you go to every house you are given an invitation to. You will go from house to house with your rush group, and stand in alphabetical order waiting for each party to start. When the recruitment counselor knocks three times, you have to be completely silent. (Don’t worry, they give you cues) Nothing happens for about three seconds until the house explodes with cheering and girls banging on the walls as the door swings open. I’ll be honest when I say that I jumped, it was so unexpected! The president of the sorority, as well as a few rush team members will step out on the porch and welcome you to their house, and the house will again erupt in chanting. As you walk through the door, you’ll be greeted and picked up by the girl who will be talking to you that day. Every house does it differently, but at the Zouse, get ready for some hugs. Tip: There will be water provided outside each day that you can drink in between houses. Be sure to HYDRATE. FYI, It gets very loud in the houses on these two days so the probability of losing your voice is significant.

Once you complete the second day of open house, you’ll go to the UTC (University Teaching Center) and rank the 10 houses you liked the best! Tip: Make sure to take notes after each house you visit to remember who you talked to and what about when you’re ranking. You’ll be surprised how little you might remember!

Philanthropy

Philanthropy is another two-day-long round. You’ll receive your schedule early in the morning, and can attend a maximum of 10 parties. Your schedule won’t be the same as everyone in your Open House group, so you’ll be going to each house on your own. If you can, try mapping out your route from house to house ahead of time! Tip: Try your hardest not to miss the bus that goes from DG to Kappa/ Alpha Phi. Trust me, it’s a long run in the summer heat.  Also, avoid University Towers on 24^th and Rio Grande at all costs. It’s filled with bored, freshman boys looking for trouble.

You can really start to get an idea of each sorority on these two days because everyone’s personality really starts to show through! Each house will have you complete a small craft or participate in an activity that is centered around their philanthropy. Many houses also prepare either a short presentation, skit or dance to illustrate their efforts in raising awareness.

This is also the first round that the houses are allowed to offer refreshments other than water. You’ll typically receive a refreshing, fruity drink (lots of fancy lemonades and Shirley temples). Make sure to keep hydrated at each house you visit! You do not want to be the girl that passes out from heat exhaustion. These two days are hectic, but don’t worry because you’re halfway through and the best night is yet to come!

Skit Night

Skit night is an all-around favorite for everyone, rushees and actives alike! Expect all kinds of transformations of the houses and elaborate decorations on this night. You’ll be visiting all sorts of different “movie theaters” or “far away lands”. You usually are sat in front of a stage with a yummy snack and a fancy drink you can sip on while you watch the 20-minute long skit each sorority has worked super hard to put on for you! Personalities of the individual sororities really start to shine! Each chapter is different, of course, but a few jokes remain the same across the board. Many houses play on the stupidity of fraternity boys, pop culture (lots of Miley and Bieber impersonations) and a few self- deprecating jokes. Tonight you should begin to get a feel for where you belong.  You may only visit a maximum of six houses on skit night.

I hope you’ve been drinking all that water I told you about! By this night, all the yell/talking you have to do to communicate really wears on those vocal chords. Now I know while you’re talking to that girl from one of your favorite houses that you’ve been waiting to get to all day, that you’ll be thinking about how bad your feet hurt, but really try hard to be yourself! Hint: break in your shoes beforehand...your feet will thank you! Don’t forget to bring those flip-flops or flats to quickly and comfortably walk from house to house.

Ultimately, just be sure to soak it all in! Skit night is a great chance to relax your voice and enjoy the show.

Preference Night

The significance of Preference Night is realized when you walk into each of the final three houses that extended an invitation. Each house will be decorated very elegantly, and at Zeta you will receive a hand-written note from a girl who really enjoyed meeting you on a previous day. Everyone wears black and it can sometimes be hard to tell everyone apart. Each house will usually present some form of program with testimonials on how their sisterhood has transformed their lives. Beware… lots of girls will be crying, both PNM’s and actives. You may even tear up yourself! Tip: The best advice I ever got for pref night was to look around at the other PNMs and talk to them while you’re on the porch while you’re waiting to go inside. Do you get along well with them? Are these the kind of girls you would want to be your potential sisters the very next day?

A few more helpful tips:

·      Try to accept, pre-rush, that your hair won't stay in place and you'll sweat all of your makeup off probably before the first house. We ALL sweat our little hearts out for rush, but it's most important to be comfy in your own skin that week because we're looking for personality! Not perfect hair.

·      You’ll hear these questions every day, whether it be Open House or Bid Day:

o   “Where are you from?”

o   “What is your major?”

o   “What are your hobbies?”

o   “What did you do this summer?”

·      So really try and have fun with it! If you have something fun or crazy to talk about, throw it out there! You never know what you might have in common with someone.

·      Prepare yourself for long days and nights, lots of running and lots of small talk. Recruitment is a long week, but the sisterhood that comes as a result will last forever. We’ve been waiting for you all summer! Go Zeta!

For times, check out http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sfl/join_upc_sched.php

Zeta Love, 

Hailey B. Williams

Recruitment Team