Twenty undergraduate students from Tongji University’s School of Life Sciences and Technology participated in a summer exchange program in Italy from July 22 to August 2, 2026, combining academic study with cultural exploration across four cities.
Led by Professor Letao Yang, the 12-day program took the group to Milan, Pavia, Florence and Rome. Through university courses, an international research workshop and museum visits, students explored advances in life sciences while developing their academic English and intercultural communication skills. The program connected scientific study with perspectives from public health, the arts and humanities, and encouraged independent learning through group work and student-led presentations.
Figure 1. The group prepares to depart from Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
Figure 2. Students explore Milan as part of the program.
Research exchange at the University of Pavia
At the University of Pavia, the group attended the Nanomed Workshop on July 23 and 24. Students joined local students, early-career researchers and experts to discuss research questions, experimental design and findings presented in scientific posters. Workshop presentations covered nanomedicine-based drug delivery, targeted cancer therapy, mucosal antibody immunotherapy for HIV and interleukin-12 gene electrotransfer, introducing students to a range of approaches in biomedical research.
Figure 3. Students review research posters and discuss the findings with workshop participants.
Yang delivered an invited presentation titled “Engineering Insoluble Cues for Stem Cell Fate Control and Therapy”. He outlined the research principles and experimental approaches behind the work, highlighting potential applications in stem cell repair and disease treatment. The presentation showcased the school’s research in stem cells and biotherapeutics, while giving students an opportunity to observe how researchers present evidence, develop scientific arguments and respond to questions in an international academic setting.
Figure 4. Professor Letao Yang delivers an invited talk at the Nanomed Workshop.
Interdisciplinary learning at the University of Florence
At the University of Florence, students took courses in Philosophy of Science and Evolutionary Metagenomics and Global Health. The former encouraged them to consider how science is defined, how research paradigms shape inquiry and how evidence is evaluated. The latter demonstrated the practical value of metagenomics through examples of how microorganisms have shaped human history and public health. Classes and discussions conducted in English provided further opportunities for students to strengthen their academic communication skills.
Museum visits extended these discussions beyond the classroom. At La Specola, part of the University of Florence’s Natural History Museum, students examined specimens, fossils and anatomical collections to explore evolution, species classification and methods of scientific preservation. University of Florence faculty also guided the group through the cathedral museum, where architectural structures, technological innovation, art history and craftsmanship offered perspectives on the connections between science, engineering and the humanities.
Figure 5. Students observe specimens, share explanations, and discuss the collections at La Specola.
Cultural exploration and shared learning
Cultural visits formed another part of the program. Students explored Milan Cathedral and the city’s neighborhoods, visited the Uffizi Galleries, the Basilica of Santa Croce and the Accademia Gallery in Florence, and toured the Vatican Museums, the Pantheon and the Colosseum. Some researched the sites in advance and served as volunteer guides for their peers, while others documented the visits through photography, interviews and written observations. These activities turned cultural exploration into opportunities for independent learning and discussion.
Figure 6 (left). Students explore Rome.
Figure 7 (right). Students take part in a team-building activity in Rome.
From pre-departure preparation to reflection after returning to Tongji, the program encouraged students to take an active role in their learning. They shared responsibility for travel and daily arrangements, worked together on group records, respected local customs and engaged with local academic and cultural communities. Bringing together research, interdisciplinary study and cultural exchange, the program offered students a broader perspective on life sciences and experience in learning and communicating across cultures.
Figure 8. The group at the airport before returning to China.
