The April 2011 newsletter is here! If you are not receiving this by email and would like to, send us an email at members@planetlonghorn.net!

In our newsletter this month:

Photo: Tim Sharp

• The PL Classy Masquerade was once again a hit with masks ranging from classic Mardi Gras to Spongebob to Brad-Rich (aka Bich) faces…scary.
• PL Pubcrawled again! But this time…on a 15-man bike imported from Amsterdam where these “PubCrawlers” are apparently widespread! The trip started with the comment “Best. Idea. Ever.”
• PL decided to do Pot Luck French Style with massive amounts of crepes…which people filled with everything from chocolate cake to guacamole. That’s called a TexMex Crepe.
• A couple of our lovely PL girls participated in Condom Couture where Maria sported a dress made completely from condoms to support Face Aids in Africa!
• Alumni of the Month: Amanda Ruiten. Home Country: The Netherlands. When asked where she will be in ten years, Amanda wasn’t sure but she knew one thing, “I guess the only thing that’s certain is that OU will still suck, but that goes without saying of course.”

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April 2011

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Who’s on a boat?!? Why that’s you my friend!! Planet Longhorn is finally throwing our awesomely awesome-tastic boat party! This is the last official event of the year so come enjoy some drinks and some sun out on the lake and take in the best of Austin while you still can.

We might not have a beach here, but for those who haven’t gotten to go see it yet Lake Travis is a whole new kind of awesome. Scientists have concluded that party barges are the coolest things ever. That’s right. EVER. And you have to believe them, because they’re scientists*.

Bring your swimsuit and sunscreen, and make sure you don’t lose your sunglasses!

** $25 gets you a trip out to the lake, 4 hours out on the boat, and drinks and snacks while you’re swimming and water-sliding and enjoying some of Austin’s best weather! We’ll be meeting at Littlefield Fountain at 11:30am on Tuesday to get on the buses and leaving around noon so don’t be late!

Come pay us at STARBUCKS on 24th & San Antonio St. on Friday May 7th between 2-4pm. You can also pay online.

**THIS EVENT IS LIMITED TO THE FIRST 70 PEOPLE TO PAY so come early! In case of conflict, priority will be given to people who have attended events in the past since it’s kind of a farewell party so come out on Friday!

*This is not a lie. Real live scientists definitely said that.

The sun is out (what a surprise!) and classes are finishing so we should take advantage before we all lock ourselves in coffee shops and the PCL come final exam time….well at least those of us not on pass/fail!

Join 4 of UT’s self-proclaimed awesomest (it’s a word..) student organizations, Planet Longhorn, PALS, StufSa, and BSA for an end-of-the-semester International BBQ out at Zilker Park! There will be football, volleyball, soccer, tanning (take advantage while you can all you northern Europeans!), and lots of delicious BBQ.
Feel free to bring more sports balls or other activities out: frisbees, aussie rules footy balls, rugby balls, beach towels, etc. Zilker is probably the best park in Austin and a definite must-hit afternoon spot during spring time. It’s also where the oh-so-famous ACL music festival takes place every year!

Bus Routes: 5 or 1L/1M South, switch to 30-Barton Creek Sq
Use this site to plan your trip: http://www.capmetro.org/planner/

*The BBQ is open to current and prospective members! If you are interested at all in language exchange, study abroad, culture, or becoming more involved in the international community at UT, feel free to come out and see what we are all about!

Already depressed that your Texas days are numbered?! Well, here’s something to look forward to–the Double Whammy Birthday Texas SWAGGER PL River Float!! Because we want you to end your semester in style, we’ll be floating the Comal on Saturday the 30th (which happens to be Katie Chapman’s BIRTHDAYYYYY AND “KONINGINNEDAG”–the celebration of the Dutch queen’s birthday YEAHHHH). So wear your TEXAS SWAG, YOUR BIRTHDAY GEAR (or s…uit?!) and/or ORANGE and get ready to have a great time!

We are meeting at Jefferson 26 (leaving at 1 pm!!) and taking buses to the river to go “tubing.” This basically involves you laying back in a tire (your tube) for a few hours and doing nothing but enjoying the cool river (really, it’s cold) and cool people all around you.

Cost of awesomeness?
$25/person – This is a set fee charged per person by Texas Tubes for bus transportation to/from and tube rental fees.

Please try to pay online by Monday at midnight! We need to know whether to tell them 1 or 2 buses and so we can guarantee you a spot on the bus!
Collection times: Monday, 2-4pm at Starbucks on 24th

**You are welcome to bring food and drinks for the bus AND while you float on, so BYOB (just no glass!)** We’ll be gone for about 5 hours! You won’t need a cooler! Mesh bag + cold water = cooler.

PARTYYYYYYY!!!

♥ PL

The March 2011 newsletter is here! If you are not receiving this by email and would like to, send us an email at members@planetlonghorn.net!

In our newsletter this month:

Photo: Madeline Keulen

• Swimming, smores, machetes, campfires, grilling – PL camps Krause Springs once again!
• Mardi Gras Party was a success, raising $108 for NZ Relief, while some of our PLers spent real Mardi Gras in NOLA!
• Spring Break sent PLers in every direction: Cali, Padre, Mexico, and more but almost all made it back for the amazingness that is SXSW.
• Alumni of the Month: Jess Foran. While we all miss her infamous birthday cakes, Jess tells us what she misses about Austin, including queso, plaid shirts, and the 1st Amendment.

Thanks for reading! Click the link below (or right click to save-as) for the Newsletter PDF*:

March 2011

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The February 2011 newsletter is here! If you are not receiving this by email and would like to, send us an email at members@planetlonghorn.net!

In our newsletter this month:

Photo: Michael Heyne

• Heart-shaped notes were spread and hands were in the air at the Valentine’s Party – Thanks to our co-host, the Co-op!
• PL headed out to somewhere other than Shakespeares (SHOCK!) for the Not-Your-Usual-Downtown-Shenanigans Pub Crawl.
• Our very own self-proclaimed “Lord” of Business Relations, Jacob Crumrine, turned 21! He celebrated in “style” on 6th.. as you do.
• Alumni of the Month: Bogdan Bradila. Finishing up his degree in Vienna, Bogdan reminisces about his study abroad in Austin: “I only needed one day to learn how to wear burnt orange with pride! Hook’em Horns!”

Thanks for reading! Click the link below (or right click to save-as) for the Newsletter PDF*:

February 2011

*The newsletter requires Adobe Reader, or a similar program, to read. You can download it here.

So you’ve figured out Tuesday night, you’ve figured out Thursday night, and well.. Friday and Saturday are a given. But what about Wednesday?!

We have the solution. Planet Longhorn is heading down to Cedar Street (4th and Lavaca) this Wednesday, Feb 23, to see the one and only SPAZMATICS. Essentially Spazmatics are a must-see 80s cover band that plays every Wednesday. The show is known for it’s amazing 80s covers that everyone kn…ows the words to, the ridiculous outfits/dancing of the band, and the 40yr old+ cougars on the prowl (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=cougar).

If you need more convincing, just ask anyone from last semester. Best Wednesday Ever.

http://www.thespazmatics.net/

Cedar Street is 21+ and there is a cover charge of $8 but trust us, it’s worth it. The band goes on 9:45. And you can take 1L/1M south from anywhere on Guadalupe and get off at 4th and Congress, then head right towards Lavaca.

Cedar Street
208 West 4th Street
Austin, TX 78701

Looking for a pre-cains adventure TUESDAY night?! Want to check out something different? Come check out Poetry Slam with us at 8pm (Slam starts at 8:30) at:

Spiderhouse Ballroom, 2906 Fruth Street – Right by Trudys!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=194231527261799

Poetry Slam is live competitive poetry. There’s drinks, DJ, and more! It’s pretty freakin entertaining…and makes you feel pretty inadequate for not being a poet. We will be walking over right after the meeting!

The November/December 2010 newsletter is here! If you are not receiving this by email and would like to, send us an email at members@planetlonghorn.net!

In our newsletter this month:

Photo: Maria Whelan

• Food was out in full force at the PL Potluck, a main feature being toast and vegemite! Yummm…not.
• PL End of the Year Holiday Party at the Rooftop on Guad included nothing less than queso and giant candy canes.
• A tribute to alum exchange students that been lucky enough to visit this semester, our alumni that are off to more exciting things abroad, and UT PLer’s tossing those graduation caps.
• Alumni of the Month: María Victoria Fernández Maestre. Back in Spain now, her advice to exchange students: “There will be always something going on, and the only thing to really be worried about is to be bored for more than 10 seconds!”

Thanks for reading! Click the link below (or right click to save-as) for the Newsletter PDF*:

November/December 2010

*The newsletter requires Adobe Reader, or a similar program, to read. You can download it here.

The October 2010 newsletter is here! If you are not receiving this by email and would like to, send us an email at members@planetlonghorn.net!

In our newsletter this month:

Photo: Rachel Walker

• Planet Longhorners rocked up in their most ridiculous costumes for the big Halloween party. We saw everything (sometimes too much..) from scantily clad Village People, transformers, franzia boxes, obnoxious Aussie rules players, to zombie sorority girls.
• PL found out that nothing is too serious, not even a power drill, for Pumpkin Carving!
• Camping went down with over 17 tents and 3 noise complaints.
• Alumni of the Month: Rachel Taylor, one of our favorite Texan Kiwis. Her advice to current exchange students? “Post exchange life is going to be unavoidable lamer, so live it up while you’re there, and worry about the credit card bill later!”

Thanks for reading! Click the link below (or right click to save-as) for the Newsletter PDF*:

October 2010

*The newsletter requires Adobe Reader, or a similar program, to read. You can download it here.

Shakespeare’s, The Blind Pig, Pure, Malaia, The Library…we’re sure that by now you’ve probably discovered many of the gems that 6th Street has to offer, and frequented them more than once–but we’re here to take you out of your element and show you all that Austin has to offer! So join us Saturday, January 29th for Planet Longhorn’s Not-Your-Usual-Downtown-Shenanigans Pub Crawl!!

We’ll start off by meeting at the E-bus stop at… 26th & Rio Grande (in front of Jefferson 26) at 9:30 p.m. Once we get downtown, we estimate to be at the following bars at the following times:

1) Speakeasy ~ 10
2) Mugshots ~ 11
3) Beauty Bar ~ 11:45
4) Barbarella ~ 12:30
5) Peckerheads ~ 1:15

We hope you’ve enjoyed your first few days of classes and that Texas is treating you well and keeping you warm!!

This Saturday, January 22nd starting at 5:30 pm, Planet Longhorn will be holding an American Movie Night on the rooftop of The Block between 28th and 29th. In true American spirit, we’ll be watching the ultimate classic college party movie: Animal House.
…
Have these been questions in your life (if not, they should be):
Ever wonder where the “COLLEGE” shirts came from?
Or where the toga themed parties started?

Well now you are about to find out. Before you can fully enjoy that house party or that night out on 6th, you have to go back and find your American roots. It’s basically an essential for acceptance to any major American university. So come on out and appreciate the movie that started it all: the frats, the beer, the parties, the overall shenanigans that define American college life. Otherwise, we could probably revoke your visa… (jokes!..but seriously).

Also, bring any snacks/drinks (but no glass bottles please!) you like, and coats or blankets to snuggle up, and we’ll provide the entertainment. There could be Animal House drinking games…

Hope to see you there!!

Hey y’all! Welcome to Texas!

Of course in Texas the best way to welcome someone is through food, and we’ve got you covered on a Texan tradition. Join Planet Longhorn and StudyAbroadSupport.com in eating tons of BBQ and dancing the night away at Midnight Rodeo. You’ll see REAL LIVE cowboys (okay, at least people in hats and boots), try some 2-stepping, and meet some of your best friends (Americans and internationals alike)! Feel f…ree to bring your own six-pack and throw back a few cold ones with your BBQ, in true Texan fashion.

It’s gonna be HUGE, so don’t miss… it!

The event is $12 a person and includes the fantastic feast and transportation to Midnight Rodeo*. Plus, priceless memories…You can either pay at collection time on MONDAY, JANUARY 10TH 2-5pm at the Starbucks on 24th St OR online at planetlonghorn.net. (Just click on the paypal link and specify that you’re paying for the BBQ.)

*We will have drivers to Midnight Rodeo, but you can also call a cab at 512-452-9999 if something comes up or you want to leave at a different time.

So what is all the ruckus about this Midnight Rodeo? It’s a notorious country dance club with lots of “cowboys” and cheap drinks ($1.00 Miller Lite Draft, $1.25 Dos Equis & Blue Moon Draft, $1.50 Wells, $2.00 for most longnecks!!…need I say more??)

Entry fee for Midnight Rodeo:
Ladies 21+ are FREE all night!
Ladies 18-20 FREE before 11pm, then $5
Men 21+ $5 & men 18-20 pay $10

For more info on Midnight Rodeo, check out:
http://midnightrodeoaustin.com/

Keep a lookout for more awesome Planet Longhorn events throughout the semester!

Calling all incoming exchange students Spring 2011! Don’t forget to sign up for your FREE Airport Pick-up at http://planetlonghorn.net/for-internationals/airport-pickup/. Simply submit all your information at least 3 days before your flight, receive your confirmation email, and then we will send a follow-up email with detailed information regarding your arrival and your driver! It’s an opportunity to be picked up by one of our very own Planet Longhorn members and a fellow UT student. If you’re lucky and get Jacob, you’ll be picked up in a real Texan truck the size of a small submarine. See you at the airport!

With Thanksgiving around the corner, we figured what better way to show what we are thankful for than by giving back a little to those less fortunate. Orange Santa is run every year to help collect presents to underprivileged families around Austin. http://www.utexas.edu/events/orangesanta/index.htm

We know it may be difficult and more costly for you to get out and buy presents. So, if you’re interested, we are asking for simple donations of $1-$5 until Monday, Nov. 29. With the collected donations, Planet Longhorn will be able to contribute a number of toys and gifts for our Austin children.

If you want to, you can also purchase your own gifts to donate! Otherwise, you can bring the donations to the meetings, PL collection times, or make online donations through PayPal at www.planetlonghorn.net. Make sure to specify “Orange Santa”.

Love coming to PL events? Interested in working behind the scenes to provide the very best experience for our incoming international students? You’re in luck: we’re recruiting officers for our Spring 2011 semester!

The following positions are up for election:

• Director of Events (2)
  • There are 2 Directors of Social Events who will work together to figure out the details of what is needed to put together our amazing events, both formal and informal. As events are the biggest thing we do, all officers and members will be available to help out with coming up with event ideas and running the events. The two Directors will carry out and schedule all of the necessary items for events.
• Director of Student Affairs
  • The Director of Student Affairs’ main responsibility is recruiting new members through such things as tabling events, study abroad fairs, Forty Acres Fest, and more! Director of Student Affairs must be outgoing, creative, and willing to talk to new people! The Director of Student Affairs will work with the Director of Public Affairs often, as their job roles often coincide.
• Director of Public Affairs
  • The Director of Public Affairs is responsible for connecting Planet Longhorn with other organizations, causes, and activities at UT and within the Austin community. This includes activities such as IM sports, volunteer opportunities (i.e. Dance Marathon, Race for the Cure, etc), and creating Planet Longhorn teams to participate in charity fundraising events hosted by other organizations. The Director of Public Affairs will work with the Director of Student Affairs often, as their job roles often coincide.
• Director of Business Relations
  • The Director of Business Relations is responsible for securing advertising deals, sponsorship agreements, referral/commission programs with local businesses. This includes selling space on the housing page or housing document, setting up referral programs with local apartments and realty agencies, and coming up with new and creative ways for Planet Longhorn to raise funds from local businesses such as sponsoring T-shirts or events. This is a great, especially for advertising majors, to get experience in sales, marketing, and business for your resume! And it’s quantitative, you can tell employers how much you raised!
• Treasurer
  • The Treasurer is responsible for keeping track of expenses and revenue and writing reimbursements. The treasurer is also responsible for documenting these numbers to see how much we lost/made on any particular event so that we know where our finances stand. You are also here to encourage fiscal responsibility among all members and come up with new and creative ways for PL to cut costs!
• Historian
  • The Historian documents the Planet Longhorn semester through photographic evidence and text. You are encouraged to get creative and find new, fun ways to provide American and Exchange students with ways to remember their semester in Austin with PL whether that be DVD video/slideshows, group photos, etc.
• Webmaster
  • Webmaster keeps the Planet Longhorn website up to date for anyone that views it. They are available to make appropriate changes throughout the semester when needed. The webmaster should also come up with new ways to improve the website.

Once your application is reviewed at the end of the semester, you will be expected to give a 2-3 minute speech outlining why you think you’d be a magnificent leader for Planet Longhorn.

You can download the form here: Planet Longhorn Officer Application. Email the completed application to president@planetlonghorn.net.

The deadline is Friday, November 19th. Elections are Tuesday, November 23rd in our general meeting (7 p.m. in CBA 4.324).

Hey guys! So Fall 2010 is here! A new semester, new students, and new events. Let’s go!

Meetings!!! Meetings this fall will be Tuesdays at 7pm in CBA 4.324. Can’t wait to see all of you out there!

To clarify, meetings are typically for local students to plan/create events, practice our fake accents, and reminisce about the weekend’s (and weekdays’) shenanigans. However, exchange students are always welcome as well if you would like to be more involved behind the scenes of PL =). Also, please join the facebook group “Planet Longhorn” for event invites and messages about events/happenings around Austin!

The BBQ and Midnight Rodeo were a great success with about 300 people stuffing their face with delicious Rudy’s BBQ, cream corn, potato salad, and BBQ sauce. Midnight Rodeo featured lots of country dancing (or at least we copied the guys in the boots and cowboy hats) and an incredibly classy (?) bikini contest.

Floating the River also brought close to 100 students out into the Texas heat to enjoy tubing, cool water, warm beer, and about 15 laps around the whirlpool before successfully escaping. All in all, a great time!

Be ready for more big events this semester like pub crawl, tailgates, and Halloween as well as our smaller get togethers for unique Austin activities! Also look for us at the UT and McCombs Study Abroad Fairs September 8th, 10-3pm and the PALS Orientation September 9th.

Please email us at members@planetlonghorn.com with any questions/comments!

See you all this semester!

Happy Summer everyone!

First off, thank you to all the newbies who have registered for the buddy program, signed up for airport pickup, or stalked down Planet Longhorn members via email/facebook prior to your arrival to Texas! Keep it up! We are so excited about the semester…so you should be too! And thanks to the oldies who have been filling out the brochure questionnaire! It’s a world of help.

Hopefully everyone is having a eventful, awesome, exciting summer. Just a few updates on some of your lovely Planet Longhorners this summer:

Liana Depew- Currently studying in Barcelona, staying up too late, and learning about Spanish “culture.”  She is set to terrorize the rest of Europe in a few weeks time.

Katie Chapman- Currently crushing her soul in the corporate world during a 10 week internship in Dallas..noooooo. Good news is that when she gets back to Austin, she will be rich and ready to have a good time.

Vanda Taupradist- Living the dream in South Africa interning at the World Cup! No .. seriously. She even worked security at one game when normal security went on strike. If you know Vanda, you know why this is hilarious/completely absurd.

Dana Yu- Running around Europe eating reindeer and harassing Norwegians. Don’t worry, she’ll get to you too!

James Chiang – Somewhere shirtless and shoeless in California trying to figure out how to turn an accounting degree into a life on the beach.

Natalia Urbanowicz- Also running around Europe getting back to her roots in Poland and enjoying graduated life.

John Michael – Tagging along on Natalia’s trip.

Doug Yacek - Drinking hefeweizen in Germany planning a grand scheme on how never to leave.

Paul McCloud - Working as an indentured servant on an apparent “exchange” in Mexico and helping to turn a farm into a microbrewery! Planet Longhorn Lager? I think so.

We’ve got a huge semester ahead of us so keep checking back for more updates! And feel free to email us with any questions/concerns/general chat/anecdotes/World Cup trash talk.