Study Abroad Student Reports: Engineering in Milan

This past May, I traveled to Milan, Italy through SAI Programs to complete a Materials Science and Engineering course for my studies at UT. The program ran for several weeks, combining traditional classroom instruction with hands-on visits to local manufacturers, museums, and cultural landmarks across the city. Going into the trip, I knew what to expect from the classes, but I had no idea how much the experiences outside the classroom would change how I look at engineering and the world.

The course covered topics like phase diagrams, material strengthening methods, failure analysis, and ceramic structures. It was all material I had seen in textbooks before, but it was really interesting to go out in the field and experience it firsthand.

One of the highlights of the program was visiting Rossognoli, a small Italian bike shop that has been building custom bicycles for generations. Watching the bike mechanic walk us through the process of fitting and assembling a frame from scratch, and learning that even something as small as a pedal thread direction has a specific engineering purpose, made the classroom concepts click in a way a lecture never could. We also visited Passoni, a high-end titanium bicycle manufacturer where bikes can run upwards of twenty thousand dollars. Seeing how they anodize titanium to produce a range of vibrant colors through electrochemical processes was incredible, especially since we had just discussed anodization in class that very morning. A visit to a family-owned steel frame shop called Casati rounded out the manufacturing experience. It was really cool to see an operation run by just three people putting out that level of quality.

Overall, I enjoyed the manufacturing aspect of the trip and it was eye-opening to see real applications of what we were learning in class. It became a game to see if we could spot our coursework out in the real world.

Outside of class, Milan had so much to offer. The city is incredibly walkable, and every neighborhood has its own vibe, from historic spots like the Sforza Castle and the Duomo to small, local thrift stores selling vintage Italian fashion.

The program also gave us time for weekend travel, and our group took full advantage of it. One of our most memorable weekends was a trip to Verbania to watch the Giro d’Italia, one of the biggest cycling races in the world. From there, a group of us ventured further north to Domodossola, a small mountain town near the Swiss border. We hiked up to a historic collection of Catholic churches and a centuries-old castle, jumped into a mountain waterfall, and even stumbled upon a local Red Cross chapter housed in a former boys’ boarding school. None of that was planned, and that spontaneity ended up being one of the best parts of the whole trip. I also took the initiative to spend a weekend in Verona entirely on my own. It pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best possible way and gave me confidence in navigating new places that I didn’t have before.

If I’m being honest, I came into this program just expecting to learn about materials science in a different setting. What I didn’t expect was how much I’d learn about myself. Figuring out train schedules, dealing with language barriers, and just making decisions on the fly forced me to become a lot more independent. That is something that’s definitely going to help me back home and in my career. I also gained a much deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship and history embedded in everyday objects. Whether I was looking at the welds on a steel bike frame, admiring the stained glass inside the Duomo, or spotting the Sforza family coat of arms on a parked Alfa Romeo, the trip made me more curious and observant. I would recommend this program without hesitation to any UTK student, engineering major or not. It is the kind of experience that a classroom simply cannot replicate.

This summer I had the pleasure of staying in Milan, Italy, for three weeks while studying MSE 201, an Introduction to Materials Science course. Some of my favorite experiences came from exploring the city itself, which was made easy due to staying in the Navigli neighborhood, which was packed full of restaurants and people most of the time. As a civil engineering student specializing in transportation engineering with a love for public transportation, I enjoyed being able to learn the underground Metro routes along with the bus and tram systems, seeing how interconnected the city felt from all modes of transportation.

Speaking of public transportation, this course focused on the integration of materials science and bike frames. Cycling is a huge part of the culture in Milan, which was easy to see from living in the city and walking to our class from our residence. The class was quick but packed with information, and the close-knit community made it easy to study with other students on the trip. We were able to visit three bike manufacturers in Milan and the surrounding suburbs, which allowed us to see the applications of the engineering we learned about in class. We also were able to visit Verbania, a city northwest of Milan on Lago Maggiore, to watch the end of a stage of the bike race Giro D’Italia, connecting what we were learning about bike manufacturing with the cycling culture of Italy. 

Additionally, the weekends were free and we were allowed to visit other areas of Italy or surrounding countries in Europe. After our Verbania trip, a couple of other students and I visited Switzerland through the Simplon Tunnel, which once was the longest tunnel in the world. We had the chance to hike in the Swiss Alps and explore a different culture and cuisine than that of Italy. The next weekend, I planned a solo trip to Nice, France. I went on a long backpacking trip to Monaco, which allowed me to see a rural side of France that I would not have otherwise seen.

The length of the study abroad also allowed me to experience Italian culture that I might not have been able to with a shorter trip to Milan. A group of us were able to go to a playoff basketball game, which had an atmosphere like I have never experienced before in the United States. We also went to an Italian movie theater and played basketball with study abroad students from Brazil. In all, I feel like this experience not only gave me a greater understanding of material science but also of a culture unlike what I have grown up with. I feel more well-rounded and loved my experience in Milan. 

My experience studying abroad in Milan, Italy, was nothing short of exceptional. My study abroad course was an introductory materials science and engineering class taught by Dr. Kevin Kit. The basic structure of the course consisted of morning and afternoon classes during the week with some classes being excursions to bicycle manufacturers and museums. On the weekends we were free to explore other parts of Italy, and some students even traveled outside the country to Switzerland. The class itself was manageable with lectures being well paced and well structured. There were three exams, which were challenging; however, it was nice to study as a group before each exam. My favorite part of the coursework was visiting the bicycle manufacturing facilities. It was incredible to see how these custom bicycles were made and relate the real life processes to the classroom content. I particularly enjoyed visiting Rossignoli as we were allowed to help build a bicycle from the frame up. Overall, Dr. Kit made the class content easy to learn and engaging.

Although the course and material were not too different from a course taught in Knoxville, being abroad shaped my experience considerably. Being in a different environment made me pay more attention to my surroundings. This caused me to notice how materials are used in various day-to-day applications, relating course content to real life. I also really enjoyed learning a new culture and place while completing a required course. Milan was the perfect city for a study abroad as it was easy to navigate and overall quite safe. The public transportation and train system in Milan, and Italy more broadly, made it extremely easy and affordable to travel and explore. Milan has some tourist sections around popular sites like the Duomo; however, it was very easy to find smaller, less busy areas with lovely restaurants, parks, and churches. The food was exceptional and quite different from the U.S. One of my favorite experiences was riding a bike around the city. Although it was scary and different at first, I was very glad I got to experience it, and I found it to be the quickest way to get around. I also enjoyed trying my hobbies and activities in a new place. I went to a swimming pool in Milan to prepare for an upcoming swim meet, and that experience allowed me to interact more with locals and learn about the culture.

My favorite part of my study abroad experience was traveling out of Milan on the weekends. Joining friends on side trips to places including Verbania, Domodossola, Riva Del Garda, and Venice was incredibly fun. My largest excursion was a weekend in Venice with two other students. While in Venice we got to see incredible architecture at sites like the Duomo and  Doge’s Palace. It was really unique seeing all the water traffic in Venice as it was built at water level without roads. We also had a great time watching the sunset over the beautiful waterways and taking a Gondola ride. After travelling to Venice, I took a solo trip up the Riva Del Garda, a town on the Northern tip of Lake Garda. While there, I rented a RS Aero sailboat and spent the day sailing on the lake. Riva Del Garda is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. The lake and mountains create a lovely backdrop, and the lake is buzzing with hundreds of sailing vessels.

I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to study abroad in Milan, and I would recommend this course or any other study abroad to anyone who has the opportunity. Getting to experience a new culture, see new sites, meet new people, and form lifelong friendships while taking a class abroad is truly a once in a lifetime experience. I will never forget this trip or the friendships I formed during my travels. My experience in Italy was incredible, and I hope other students will take the opportunity to study abroad.

I had the incredible opportunity to spend the summer mini-term studying abroad in Milan, Italy with the Tickle College of Engineering. Our class, Materials Engineering in Milan, allowed us to gain valuable materials science knowledge while exploring the city and learning about Italian culture. As an MSE major, this experience was incredibly eye-opening to how practical materials science knowledge can be in your everyday life. This experience also gave me the opportunity to get to know my peers better and build a sense of community with other vols.

Milan is an incredibly well designed and multicultural city. It is incredibly tight-packed, which gives it the benefit of having everything close by, but also lets you get lost exploring and taking adventures. Bike culture is very rampant in Milan, as the city is very geared towards bike accessibility and safety. Milan also has some incredible food, both within and outside its culturally perceived norms. I had not only some amazing pizza and pasta, but also Turkish and American food.

During our trip, we visited three bike shops and discussed aspects of engineering which help improve the overall strength, safety and performance of bikes. On our trip to Rossignoli, we even got to build a bike from scratch. These trips were insightful and showed me how materials selection and overall design can improve the quality of a bike. We also visited the Leonardo di Vinci Science & Technology Museum. This experience gave me fascinating insights into the life and legacy of Leonardo di Vinci, as well as various technologies which were displayed in exhibits scattered throughout the museum.

Our schedule also allowed me to take some personal time to explore places with my friends. During the week I visited several local attractions such as the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, as well as the Milan Monumental Cemetery. During our free time on the weekends, I was able to travel outside the city and visit Brig, Switzerland as well as Venice. We were also able to go to Verbania as a group to see one of the checkpoints for the Giro D’Italia, which was incredibly fun!

This trip has helped me grow in independence and curiosity, and I am a better Materials Engineer because of it! I am so grateful for this trip and would love to visit Italy again someday.

My study abroad experience in Milan, Italy was one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career. Through the Materials Science and Engineering program, I was able to learn how the processing, structure, and properties of materials influence the products we use every day. Before this trip, I had never taken a materials science course, but I quickly became fascinated by topics such as mechanical properties, crystal structures, phase transformations in steel, and how engineers design materials to balance strength, durability, and weight. Seeing these concepts applied to bicycles throughout the program helped connect classroom lessons to real world engineering challenges.

One of the highlights of the trip was visiting several bicycle companies and workshops in Italy. We saw firsthand how high performance bikes are designed and manufactured using materials such as carbon fiber and titanium. I was especially impressed by a demonstration of titanium anodization, where different voltages produced vibrant colors on the metal surface. These visits showed me how engineering decisions directly affect product performance and reinforced the importance of materials selection in manufacturing and design.

Outside the classroom, I gained a deeper appreciation for Italian culture and history. Exploring landmarks such as the Duomo di Milano, Sforza Castle, and the Leonardo da Vinci Museum allowed me to see incredible examples of architecture, innovation, and craftsmanship. I also enjoyed experiencing everyday life in Milan through local food, public transportation, and conversations with people from around the world. Building friendships with classmates and other students abroad made the experience even more meaningful.

One of my favorite memories was hiking in the Dolomites in northeastern Italy. The breathtaking mountain views reminded me how much there is to learn from experiencing different places and cultures firsthand. As well as being able to appreciate the natural beauty of this region. This trip challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, become more independent, and make the most of every opportunity. I returned home with a greater appreciation for engineering, a broader global perspective, and memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life!

Our study abroad trip took us to Milan, Italy, where we learned about materials. The class was held in a local community university in Milan that had us meeting two and occasionally three times per day for class, but typically not on weekends. The commute was relatively short and allowed for either biking or walking, typically taking 15-20 minutes on average. Class days that had only two class sessions were paired with a trip to a location related to the course material. A highlight location included local bike and bike frame manufacturers that allowed us to learn and connect in-class concepts with real-world applications. Other trips included historical sites and museums that allowed us to become more informed about the history and culture of Milan. The class material itself was a good overview that left me interested and more informed about material science, and made me want more; our workload was not bad either, as it consisted of 12 journals describing our experience for homework, and the studying for exams was manageable given the time constraints, with it being a study abroad course.

Outside of class, we got to immerse ourselves in the Milanese culture. The experience and time we had here in Milan was like no other I have ever had before. We used public transport and figured out how we were going to get to places on our own, which really allowed us to connect to the place. We also had the choice of either eating out or cooking for ourselves, which let us go out and experience Italian cuisine before trying our own hand at it. Additionally, weekends were left free, which allowed some other student and I to go to Switzerland and hike the Alps for one weekend.

I would highly recommend anyone to take a study abroad trip if they are able. It allowed me to learn just like a normal class, but in a completely different environment, unlike campus. This allowed me to not only learn academically, but also learn culturally and become more aware and informed about cultures different than my own.

In May, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Milan, Italy, with the University of Tennessee through the Materials in Milan study abroad program. During the summer mini-term, I completed Materials Science Engineering 201 while experiencing a new culture and learning outside of a traditional classroom. This experience allowed me to grow not only as an engineering student, but also as a classmate and as a person.

One of the most meaningful parts of the program was the relationships I built with my fellow engineering students. I had the chance to become friends with classmates I had never met before, including students from different engineering disciplines and academic years. I am very grateful for the friendships, memories, and shared experiences we created throughout our time in Italy. Having Dr. Kit travel with us also made the course more engaging, as we were able to learn directly from a University of Tennessee professor while studying abroad.

Academically, the program gave me a deeper understanding of materials science and engineering. I learned about the structure, processing, and properties of many commonly used engineering materials, as well as how different processing methods influence a material’s structure and performance. What made the course especially memorable was the opportunity to apply these concepts to real-world engineering. Touring local bicycle manufacturing facilities in Italy allowed me to see these principles in action, which was both inspiring as an engineering student and exciting as someone who enjoys riding bikes. We also traveled to Verbania to watch the Giro d’Italia, an unforgettable experience that made the connection between engineering, manufacturing, and Italian culture even more meaningful. This was my first time visiting Italy, and I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to experience its culture, history, food, and landmarks. Studying abroad broadened my perspective by exposing me to different cultures while strengthening my passion for engineering. I returned home with new knowledge, lasting friendships, and a greater appreciation for the value of learning beyond the classroom. I would choose to study abroad again without hesitation and highly recommend the experience to any student considering it. I am sincerely grateful to the University of Tennessee for making this opportunity possible.