A World to Discover

Lee knows how travel can change someone's life. Born and raised in Israel, she came to the U.S. on a work visa as a 20-year-old. She was about to return to her homeland to start medical school when she met Philip at a mutual friend's dinner party. One of the first things she learned about the man who became her husband was that he was a graduate of the Plan II Honors program at UT.

"It was practically the first thing he said after introducing himself. 'Plan II' is practically his middle name," Lee jokes.

Philip, whose siblings Andrew and Dorothy are also UT alumni, oozes with pride in his liberal arts education. With plans to go to medical school after earning his bachelor's degree, he focused on Plan II courses that would expand his general knowledge, saving the medical training for later. He credits Plan II for helping him achieve professional success during his 40-plus years as a San Antonio-based cardiologist, which included the distinction of being named a "Texas Monthly Super Doctor" for nine consecutive years.

"Plan II is a great program," says Philip. "Some of the classes had 10 people or fewer, and it gave me an opportunity to interact with some of UT's top professors. I learned some very meaningful skills - how to think and how to analyze - and Plan II gave me a good appreciation of a variety of ideas and perspectives. It helped me learn how to interact with others."

Philip does have one regret about his years as a Plan II student: He did not enroll in any study abroad programs.

"The opportunities were there," he says, "but doing a study abroad program wasn't as commonplace as it is now."