Krisha Patel
Engineering in London was one of the best experiences in my life. I am so grateful to have done this program. I was able to complete two courses required for my major, and I learned so much about the field of engineering, as well as much about myself. This program was so much different than what I expected. Having the independence to learn how to navigate the Tube system and explore the city gave me a sense of confidence and strength I was not aware of. By the end of the first three weeks in London, I felt like I wasn’t a tourist but rather a Londoner. Due to the way the program was set up, I was able to visit many sights and museums without being overwhelmed with program activities or classes.
Through this experience, I visited the Kew Bridge Steam Museum, which was an amazing experience, and a place I was completely unaware existed. This museum housed some of the oldest steam engines that are still operational, and as an engineer, I found this fascinating. Below are two engines that are not used anymore but are still operational, and I was fortunate enough to see them run. It was very interesting to learn about the great engineering that took place during the 1800s-1900s, and the reliability and maintainability of these machines, because even now, they are still able to operate. From talking about engines in class, to seeing one in real life, and learning about how it works, was unbelievable; to be able to relate concepts to actual machines. Without this program, I would have never learned about this incredible place, and learned about how steam engines operate and the huge impact they have had on society.
In addition, we spent the last week of the program in Sheffield, where we utilized the incredible labs at the University of Sheffield. We had four thermodynamics labs, which were incredible experiences because we saw cycles and systems in operation. I am so grateful to have done EIL this year because Sheffield was a new addition to the program, and at UT, there are no labs for Circuits or Thermodynamics, and completing the labs helped further my knowledge.
Hyatt Horne
I had the opportunity to participate in the Engineering in London program, and it was an unforgettable experience. The first four weeks of the program took place in and around central London, and during that time, I felt as though I had almost become a London local. I absolutely loved navigating the big city, learning the tube system, and visiting iconic locations and historically significant sites. For the final week of the program, we travelled north to Sheffield, where we were able to continue our learning through labs at the University of Sheffield’s incredible engineering facility, the Diamond.
One of my favorite excursions in London was to Bletchley Park where we learned about British mathematician and codebreaker Alan Turing. It was at Bletchley Park where Turing and other codebreakers used a German device called the Enigma machine to intercept and decipher encrypted messages during World War II, critically impacting the outcome of the war. There also is the National Museum of Computing, which houses one of the world’s first programmable computers, Colossus.
Before going on this program, I was a little worried that I would not get to experience much outside of coursework, especially with the program being only five weeks. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how much free time we had to explore on our own. The courses, Circuits and Thermodynamics, are designed so that a large majority of the work is completed during class hours, thus allowing for more time outside of class to enjoy the city. I got to know all my classmates quite well, both in and out of class, and I hope to continue those relationships as we return to Knoxville. I am thankful to Professor Michael Berry and Associate Professor Andrew Dickerson for making this program so memorable.
Check out Berry’s blog for more photos and information about the program!
Will Coleburn
Immersing myself in English culture for one month while knocking out thermo and circuits was one of the best investments I made for myself. Aside from the challenges I faced in my coursework, I learned a lot about myself through this experience. Whether commuting on the Underground during rush hour or shopping at Lidl weekly, I learned to quickly adjust to life in London and began to feel like a true Londoner. I challenged myself to explore all ends of the city and met many amazing people along the way, both within my group and beyond.
As a part of the Engineering in London program, I spent three weeks in London and one week in Sheffield. In London, I stayed in Walthamstow, a suburb in Northern London and commuted daily to class into central London. Littered throughout the weeks were planned excursions facilitated by Professor Berry. Most notable was our trip to Greenwich, traveling by boat along the River Thames and visiting the Royal Observatory to take in sweeping views of Canary Wharf and central London.
The final leg of the program consisted of traveling north to Sheffield, the fourth largest city in England. During this final week, we attended lectures and labs at the University of Sheffield, utilizing their state of the art engineering facilities. The experience offered the opportunity to connect with Sheffield engineers and understand the engineering curriculum in another country. Although less glamorous than London, Sheffield deepened my program experience and gave me a better understanding of England as a whole. I left the UK with a deeper appreciation for cultural immersion and am confident in saying that London is one of the best cities for studying abroad.
