SPICE Program Student Testimonials

“The SPICE Program quite literally changed my life and how I look at new opportunities. As a low-income student, this was the only program I could afford. With it, I was able to visit 10 countries and 30 cities while simultaneously taking two classes. I believe that keeping this program alive is essential for people like me to have a taste of the world. It has allowed me to expand my knowledge in the discipline of communications. Most importantly, it allowed me to have courage in myself that I otherwise would have never gained. Thanks to SPICE, I am more confident, more open-minded, I can budget better, I am less introverted, and I am less afraid of the unknown.” -M. Class of 2025

“The SPICE program was truly the most beneficial thing I have done at UT. I relearned how to communicate, was able to experience places, foods, and cultures I wouldn’t have been able to and made more friends in two months than I did in two years of college. The program has given me invaluable resources and connections that I would never have gotten otherwise. I grew as a person while in Erfurt and was able to immerse myself in German culture through the courses and the experience. I considered many different study abroad programs, but none was as valuable as SPICE regarding finances, academics, and cultural immersion. It changed my life, and other students should be able to have the opportunity to have their lives changed as well.” -G., Class of 2026

“I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in the SPICE program through UT Austin and thought it was quite valuable to me as a student and person. The program meant and still means a great deal to me. I learned and grew through lessons in the communication ethics class and gained valuable professional development through the global public relations class. I expanded my cultural horizons and made friends here and in Germany with whom I still stay connected and share great memories. The program structure is unlike any other, with weekend classes allowing me to see many places in Germany and Europe. Overall, I grew personally and academically while exploring places I had never been, making it an experience I am grateful for and will never forget.” -J., Class of 2025

“The SPICE program was life-changing! From exploring and studying in Erfurt to traveling across Europe I enjoyed every minute of it. The SPICE program is sentimental to me because I genuinely never imagined studying abroad but the program made it possible. I made many friends and unforgettable memories all because of SPICE.” -A., Class of 2025

“SPICE played a crucial part in my education at UT. The classes taught me a lot and tied in with German culture and history that I would not be able to understand without living and traveling through Germany. This program shaped who I am today. I hope other students get the opportunity to do the SPICE program.” -A., Class of 2023

“My experience with the SPICE program changed my life. I received an enriching education from professors I wouldn’t have had the chance to interact with had it not been for the program. I met friends, now colleagues, on the other side of the world with whom I still keep in touch. Having the opportunity to explore a part of the world I once perceived as out of my reach provided me with an immeasurable amount of confidence in myself. The students of UT deserve the chance to see the world if they’re going to change it.” -A., Class of 2021

“Participating in the SPICE program was a pivotal experience for me. The person who applied ended up only being a fraction of the person who returned after the program. I went with a focus on the coursework and returned with a rich understanding of the coursework situated within a broader context. It was a crash course of life experiences that still serve and guide me today. While the curriculum taught in Moody College classrooms is outstanding, I believe the type of leaders and thinkers we want as Moody graduates are those that explore these themes outside of the classroom, and particularly in environments that offer an extra push, like an international university. The small size of the cohort proves to be especially valuable in this context as well. It allows for the classroom discussions to dig deeper and offers (or maybe requires) a profoundly valuable exploration of independence. It should be noted as well that the SPICE program is a more accessible option for those that cannot commit an abundance of resources to be eligible. These accessible options are essential for someone like me who could only scrap together enough savings for this program, and none other.” -L., Class of 2021

“In 2018, I began my journey of looking for a study abroad programs in my budget. There were few and far between that I felt comfortable applying for in my communication program. I knew the chance of me traveling abroad again was slim. The SPICE program was the only program that I applied to that would not break my bank. Even though studying abroad provides a valuable experience, many students will not be able to afford it due to the high cost. The courses that were provided in Erfurt, Germany by professors from UT, OU, and WVU were exceptional and truly an amazing learning experience. The American students worked on projects with students from Germany and Italy. This collaborative work allowed us to get to know individuals who lived in different parts of the world and learn how to overcome barriers such as language, ideas, and cultural norms. Moreover, we visited a concentration camp and various Holocaust museums and memorials that helped us better understand the ethical horrors of World War II. SPICE was full of experiences that could not be emulated in an Austin classroom setting or in a book.” -T., Class of 2020

“SPICE was a life changing experience for me. I was able to continue my education while traveling. It taught me many valuable lessons that’s made me the adult that I am today. It made me confident, independent, and allowed me to experience cultures outside of my own. It was so valuable to my college experience, I’m not sure who I would be today without it. I was able to travel and be in a different country every week, I would have never been able to do that without this program. My favorite memories of college all stem back to the eight weeks in Erfurt.” -G., Class of 2020

“It’s been six years since I’ve participated in the SPICE program and I still remember my experience fondly. I made lasting connections with friends, whom I am still close with today, and had an extremely valuable learning experience that has stayed with me. I developed a multi-cultural outlook through the program that has helped expand my thinking in my professional Advertising career. I’ve retained a familiarity with the German language which has aided me in personal and professional travel. The unique experience of learning alongside students in Germany helped to showcase the differences in thinking and experiences which was a highlight of my time in classrooms throughout college. I can say truthfully my time at UT would not have been the same without the experiences I had in the SPICE program or the people I met through it.” -R., Class of 2020

“Memories of my time in SPICE are some of the fondest in my college career. I loved the immersive classroom structure, where I got to participate in group discussion and projects with students from The University of Erfurt and from other US colleges. We were even given opportunities to pitch solutions to specific communication challenges in Erfurt, such as promoting the town’s Medieval Jewish Heritage sites in their bid for UNESCO status. The program’s connection to Erfurt felt developed and meaningful. SPICE challenged and grew my communication studies through a global, grounded, and purposeful lens. I had studied abroad once before – but this program’s unique combination of blended classroom settings, less tourist-frequented location, and ample travel opportunity made it by far the most memorable and valuable to me.” -L, Class of 2020

“I chose to participate in the SPICE program in 2018 and it was without a doubt one of the best decisions I made at UT. I wanted the opportunity to blend my work in communication studies with my interest in international marketing/advertising, and SPICE made that a possibility for me. I was able to work closely in a small classroom setting with students from all over the U.S. as well as German communications students. That experience alone taught me so much about the complexities of communication studies across cultural boundaries, and that doesn’t even scratch the surface of everything I got to do through SPICE. One of the coolest experiences I have ever had was getting to participate in helping a local German history museum create a PR campaign for the anniversary of their opening. Being able to incorporate deep European history with PR strategies we discussed in class is something I never imagined I’d get to do. SPICE also allowed me to balance my classwork with exploring nearby countries like Austria, Switzerland, and The Netherlands. I was able to curate a dream European study abroad opportunity through SPICE, and I’m so grateful for the experience!” -A., Class of 2018

“SPICE was an absolutely wonderful study abroad program that I will always look back on fondly. It was a warm and welcoming way to experience another country and culture while still having the comfort of home (English speaking classes). SPICE has given me lifelong friends and knowledge that I cherish. To this day I reference my time in Germany in the workplace and in everyday life. Anyone who joins the program will be a better, more well-rounded person because of it. I hope many more generations of Longhorns get that experience!” -T., Class of 2012

“My summer in Erfurt was a defining experience in my life. I don’t say that lightly. I can link so much of who I am now to things I learned and experienced in Germany. The program, and the people who were a part of it, opened my eyes to life outside of the “protected walls” where I lived. I grew as an individual academically, established a love of travel, developed lasting memories with people I had just met, and believe my view of the world (past and present) was broadly shaped by my time in Erfurt. I truly cherish my summer there and don’t regret choosing that “small program” in a town I had never heard of, where I didn’t know the language, and with people I didn’t know. It was a life changing experience.” -F., Class of 2012

“Participating in SPICE Erfurt gave me the most memorable and transformative experiences from my time at UT Austin. It was the perfect opportunity to learn from and with students of different cultures, travel to new parts of the world, and continue working toward my degree requirements. I would have graduated as a less enriched student without the SPICE program.” -M., Class of 2011

“I studied abroad in Erfurt with the SPICE program during the summer of 2008. It was by far one of my favorite and most memorable UT experiences that still pays dividends with friends made from UT, other US colleges who participated and of course the new German friends we made that summer. Erfurt is such a beautiful town right in the center of everything for any student who wants to travel across Europe while studying there. I will forever be grateful for my time that summer there and always thankful I chose it over the trendy Barcelona or other Spain destinations at the time!” -E., Class of 2009

For more information on the SPICE study abroad program, visit: https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/abroad/student/pgm_list/detail/nlogon/749/