Engineering students cross bridges through infrastructure-focused study abroad

Most people don't give much thought to the bridges they cross every day. They're simply part of the trip — a way to get from one place to another.

Students in the Bridges, Builders, and Society study abroad program came home seeing them differently.

During nearly two weeks of travel through England, Wales, and Scotland, a group of eight students, led by faculty advisors Roberto Leon, the Via Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Adam Phillips, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, experienced some of the world's most iconic bridges firsthand. With visits to the Menai Suspension Bridge in Wales, the Iron Bridge in England, and London’s Tower Bridge, the study abroad trip applied concepts students had studied to places they could see in person, helping them explore how engineering, history, architecture, and society all intersect. 

"Walking through historic cities and seeing these structures up close gave me a whole new perspective on engineering,” said Abdulai Kargbo, a senior majoring in biomedical engineering. “It was an unforgettable experience that taught me lessons I couldn’t learn in a classroom.”

From the classroom to the world

Before leaving Blacksburg, students spent a semester in the classroom exploring how bridge design has changed over time, from centuries-old stone arches to modern suspension and cable-stayed bridges. They learned about the engineers whose ideas shaped the field and the structural principles that allow bridges to span a wide variety of landscapes. 

Then they stepped out of the classroom and into the places where those concepts came to life.

The group explored the engineering behind historic structures like the Menai Suspension Bridge, which helped advance suspension bridge design, and the Glenfinnan Viaduct, a pioneering concrete railway bridge known to many as the “Harry Potter bridge.” They also visited modern examples, including the Falkirk Wheel and Gateshead Millennium Bridge, where innovative designs have changed how people and transportation systems move through the landscape.

Seeing these structures firsthand helped students understand how bridges reflect the technology, materials, aesthetic tastes, and priorities of the eras in which they were built. Students also discussed the broader impact of bridges, including how they connect people, support commerce, and sometimes reshape entire cities.

Tower Bridge in London provided an example of this connection between engineering and identity. More than a crossing over the River Thames, the bridge has become a symbol of the city and a reminder that infrastructure can become part of a community’s cultural landscape. 

“Good bridge design isn't only about making a structure strong enough to stand," said Leon. “It's also about creating something people enjoy seeing and using, and, ultimately, making it a symbol of a city like the Brooklyn Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Tower Bridge have become.” 

Seeing infrastructure differently

Traveling through new cities, navigating unfamiliar transportation systems, and experiencing different cultures gave students opportunities to build confidence and adaptability while seeing how infrastructure fits into everyday life outside the United States. 

“Programs like Bridges, Builders, and Society give engineering students opportunities they simply can’t replicate in a classroom,” said Nicole Sanderlin, director of global engagement for the College of Engineering. “By experiencing some of the world’s most significant bridges firsthand, navigating new environments, and learning alongside their peers, students build the adaptability, curiosity, and global perspective that are essential for today’s engineering workforce.”

The Bridges, Builders, and Society program is also an example of how Virginia Tech’s Bridge Experience Program connects classroom learning with hands-on experiences that prepare students for their future careers. 

By the time they returned home, students had done much more than visit famous bridges. They had learned to notice the details that most travelers overlook, such as the choices behind a bridge's design, the history that shaped its construction, and the lasting impact it has on the people who use it every day.

For many of them, crossing a bridge will never feel ordinary again.

"I think our students returned home with a much deeper appreciation for how infrastructure shapes society," said Leon. "They see that bridges aren't just engineering achievements. Bridges have influenced where people live, how economies grow, and how communities have connected for generations.”