Ciao everyone!

Our adventure is finally about to begin, and who isn’t excited to be traveling to Italy?? After countless hours of preparation throughout the summer and fall, the St. Thomas engineering students are eager to dive into an unforgettable experience abroad. Even before we take off, we’ve gained valuable insight into the ancient engineering practices through readings, curiosity projects, and group research. Still, there is nothing quite like standing in front of real-world structures and seeing firsthand how engineering principles have shaped the world.

Our first stop is Rome, where we will encounter landmarks such as the Pantheon, Colosseum, and Vatican. These sights offer powerful lessons in structural design, materials, and the historical context that led to their construction while also showing how engineering continues to influence society today. Later in Florence, we will shift our focus to more modern engineering through visits to Milan, studies of skyscrapers, and even tours of the Ducati and Pagani Supercar factory. Experiencing both ancient and modern systems will help us better understand the engineering principles we’ve learned about in the classroom. 

Beyond the technical learning, this journey is also about shared experiences. Students from all backgrounds will explore Italian culture through food, traditions, architecture, and everyday life! Even in our pre-departure conversations, it is clear that everyone brings something unique to the group. Some are excited to study historical structures while others are eager to experience a new country for the first time. 

As we get ready to depart, we are filled with curiosity, excitement, and anticipation for everything we are about to learn. Italy here we come!

– Avery and Aveline