Meet Lili
For the Love of Barbecue
My family is originally from San Antonio, Texas, but we moved to New York when I was six years old due to my father’s work. I chose to come to Texas, first and foremost, because I really enjoy barbecue. Also, my older brother attends UT Austin, which influenced my decision. Additionally, my grandparents and great grandmother still live in San Antonio, so this was a perfect opportunity to spend more time with them.
A Strong Connection to a Scattered Heritage
My ethnic heritage is somewhat scattered. On my father’s side, both my grandparents are French Moroccan, and on my mother’s side, my grandfather is from New York and my grandmother is from Cuba. My family is Jewish, and I feel a very strong connection to the traditions that have been influenced by all the countries my family has passed through.
Contrary to Popular Belief
Forget all the negative stereotypes about Texas! (The positive ones can stick around.) Contrary to popular belief, there are no tumbleweeds and no gun-slinging cowboys riding around the city on horseback. Austin is an awesome, easy-going, artsy, exciting city. I would say Austin is like San Francisco, it’s a really cool, eclectic, diverse, and cultured city. Everyone here is doing a great job of maintaining the slogan “Keep Austin Weird.”
Lili's tips
On the best way to make friends
Joining a club or organization is the best way to make friends. It is the most obvious place to start making friends because your similar interests automatically break the ice. Just put yourself out there and be open to people and they will reciprocate.
About a particular class
Take Dr. Daly’s Interpersonal Communication Theory (CMS 315M). It is the best class you will ever take in college, hands down. I have never met a single person who didn't enjoy this class. It is so much fun and you learn everything about relationships, networking, story-telling and much more.
On where to live
I live off campus, but I live so close to campus, that it’s still very convenient to get to and from class. Living in West Campus really affected my decision to join Greek Life. West Campus is a fun place to live starting out at UT. There is a lot going on at night, and during the day, it’s close to campus and also within walking distance to Pease Park. I would definitely recommend living in West Campus to someone who is interested in a lively night life.
On what to wear
People don’t really dress up for class. Shorts, a t-shirt and flip-flops are a must.
A Welcomed Change of Pace
Austin is so different from anything in the northeast. For starters, it’s March and it is in the 80s. Texas is also just a more laid-back place, and people are nicer; I don’t know how but it’s true. Coming to Texas is a welcomed change of pace, especially for someone like me who is planning to return to New York after graduation. Austin is much more liberal than other cities in Texas. Also, compared to Dallas and Houston, Austin has much less of a big city feel and is more open and inviting.
A Perfect Blend of College Life with City Life
Austin is a phenomenal city, which somehow manages to create a perfect blend of college life with city life. There are so many ways to get involved on campus in any area of interest. When you’re tired of campus, there are countless activities around Austin that appeal to anything you could possibly imagine. There are outdoor activities like hike and bike trails and kayaking, and there are cool art museums, and great shopping stores and restaurants.
What's Important Right Now
The summer after 10th grade, I had my first internship in an advertising agency. After that summer, I was positive that advertising was what I wanted to do with my life, so I originally applied to UT in hopes of being an Advertising major. I was accepted as my second choice of English, and I was planning on transferring to Advertising. However, after completing the required course for transferring to Advertising, I realized that this wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life any more. I loved the English courses and, although I don’t know where an English degree will take me, I’m really enjoying my classes which is what I think is important right now.
More about Lili…
Favorites
- Study locations on and near campus: Let me preface this by saying I prefer to study in coffee shops rather than libraries. During the day (preferably a beautiful Austin Sunday afternoon), the deck of Mozart’s overlooking Lake Austin is the best place in the world to study. During a weeknight, I love studying at La Tazza Fresca on 37th and Guadalupe because of their choice of music, their delicious chocolate vanilla coffee, and their boxes of Scrabble, which make for fantastic study breaks. If I want somewhere within walking distance, I’ll head over to Café Medicci right on the drag.
- Places to eat on or near campus: There are few things in life that I love more than Austin Java. Whenever someone comes to town, that’s where we go. I also really enjoy Veggie Heaven on the drag. It’s cheap and delicious… need I say more?
- Class: Interpersonal Communication Theory with Dr. Daly is the best class at The University of Texas at Austin.
- Book: I have about 100 pages left to go in Atlas Shrugged, and so far it’s probably the best book I have ever read. The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie is also an incredible book.
- Movie: Mean Girls is my guilty pleasure.
- Thing about Austin: This is an extremely difficult question. I honestly can’t choose. Maybe my favorite thing about Austin is that it is brimming with culture, fun activities and new things to do. Whether it’s First Thursday on South Congress, kayaking on Lady Bird Lake, trying a new restaurant, or going downtown, there is truly never a dull moment.
- Pastime / recreational activities: My favorite recreational activities are hanging out in the park (Pease Park, Zilker Park or Peacock Park) or kayaking on Lady Bird Lake.
Overcoming a challenge
The biggest challenge I have overcome during my time in college so far is meeting people and making friends. Honestly, it was very difficult at first. Everyone comes to Texas with all their high school friends, while I knew nobody except for my brother, who refused to hang out with me until I made friends. I joined the fencing club and a sorority, so as the semester progressed, I became friends with the people in the organizations.