9 December 2025: Italian Tutor/LLA Caroline’s Experience’s Abroad in the UK and Italy
9 December 2025: Italian Tutor/LLA Caroline's Experience's Abroad in the UK and Italy
People may assume that studying abroad is mainly for people interested in studying languages, but it’s not necessarily true. To expand on what I learned in my biomedical engineering , I went to Europe (UK and Italy) this summer to learn more about the business side of engineering and the market there in the EU.
On a personal level, I chose this program because I grew up in Rome and hoped for a chance to return to Italy. Even though this wasn’t a language program, my Italian skills became a big part of my experience. I often acted as the translator for my group, whether it was ordering food at restaurants, shopping at the local farmer market to just get some apples, or even helping my professor communicate in moments where English couldn’t help. It helped me realize how valuable language and cultural knowledge can be, combined with technical training.
Professionally, I chose this program because I’m interested in a career in medical devices and prosthetics, and I wanted to see how design, engineering, and culture fit together in this field. Visiting Milan‘s tech hubs and biomedical labs was really inspiring. It surprised me how many companies there pay attention not only to technical function, but also to aesthetics and user experience, mixing engineering with the Italian sense of style.
London and Milan also showed me two very different rhythms of life. In London, everything was fast-paced. Every morning started the same way: grabbing a cappuccino and a pastry at the tiny café around the corner, then on the Tube by 7:30 a.m. Our days were packed with company visits spread across the city, and lunch was always something quick from wherever we ended up. Evenings were my favorite, when the city felt alive, especially in Farringdon, where we spent hours exploring, talking, laughing, and eating like locals. For a short time, London felt like a home I never expected.
Milan moved differently, mornings usually started with us running late, skipping breakfast, and depending on the free coffee waiting for us at company visits. Evenings were peaceful, walking along the Navigli canals, sitting by the Duomo at sunset, listening to street music, and getting gelato (always at least one, sometimes two). At first, I struggled to slow down after London, but eventually I fell back into the rhythm I grew up with. Being in Milan didn’t surprise me; it reminded me of where I come from and how easily I can feel at home again.
This trip showed me that study abroad is for everyone: no matter your major, there’s a program that can connect with your academic and personal interests. At UIC, there are so many opportunities, you just have to ask. For me, this program connected my career goals in biomedical engineering with my personal ties to Italy, and it reminded me how global experiences can shape both who you are and the work you want to do.