Although I entered college overwhelmed by the idea, I pursued a summer study abroad program in Milan, Italy and was thrilled to be accepted. Spending this summer in Milan, pushed me out of my comfort zone as I embarked out of the country alone for the first time. I would be in a new country, speaking an unknown language, living and learning among strangers.

This trip had its trials… such as a 28 hour travel day consisting of a canceled flight, 4 delayed flights, 6 total boarding passes, and a few trains through London. However, through it all, I never lost my ability to appreciate the positive and turn each challenge into an ‘adventure.’ Once in Milan, I was introduced to the entirely new concept of material engineering while exploring the intricacies of a foreign culture. Milan is a city rich in culture, history, and beauty. Every day I was amazed as I exited the subway station into the Duomo square on our way to class. Towering above us was the magnificent chapel of the Milan Duomo built by five centuries worth of manpower. Exploring Milan and the surrounding cities (including Venice, Verone, Trento, Lake Como, and Bergamo) allowed us to discover the heart of the Italian way of life through the geography, food, and history.

Furthering my fascination, the program was taught as material engineering related to bicycle manufacturing processes. This provided context for the concepts being taught in the classroom. Being able to tour steel piping plants, bicycle frame manufacturers, and bicycles shops taught me the science behind each step of the design process. We learned that the way you process a material influences the materials properties which in turn influences its uses. One of the most fulfilling parts of this study abroad was the trip to Bergamo in which we got to watch a stage of the Giro d’Italia. This world famous road cycling race was a breathtaking experience as we witnessed the importance of cycling in Italian culture… which all tied back to the specific purposes, properties, and processes of the materials used. Overall this program fulfilled my desire to explore new places, my fascination with bicycles, and my wonder of “what causes …” while teaching me the power of flexibility and resilience.

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