To broaden students' international perspectives and enhance their professional competence and English language proficiency, the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine organized an overseas study program during the summer of 2025. Among them, six undergraduate students from the School of Public Health, accompanied by their team leader, Teacher Xu Yaqing, traveled to the University of Manchester in the UK from July 19 to August 10. They successfully completed a three-week course at the International Summer School in Biosciences (Bio-SISS).
Founded in 1824, the University of Manchester is one of the UK's renowned "Red Brick Universities" and enjoys global acclaim for its academic excellence and research innovation capabilities. Ranked 34th globally in the 2025 QS World University Rankings, the university is particularly notable for its research achievements in biosciences and medicine, having produced 25 Nobel laureates to date.
Hosted by the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at the University of Manchester, the summer school attracted over a hundred outstanding students from six countries. The program offered three majors: Medicine, Biosciences, and Public Health, providing students with an immersive research experience through a variety of academic activities. Participants attended specialized academic lectures delivered by leading international scholars and engaged in workshops on science communication and career development.
Through group project discussions, research poster creation, and academic presentations delivered entirely in English, students significantly enhanced their professional skills while strengthening their teamwork and academic communication abilities. At the program's closing ceremony, the academic review panel recognized and awarded certificates to outstanding research poster groups.
In addition to academic activities, the program featured a well-planned array of cultural visits and exchange events. Teachers and students jointly explored the historic city of York and the picturesque Lake District of Windermere, deepening international friendships through ice-breaking activities and city treasure hunts. The three-week overseas study experience significantly improved students' academic literacy and cross-cultural communication skills, laying a solid foundation for their future career development.
This study abroad program provided students from the School of Public Health with an international platform for learning and exchange, fully aligning with the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine's philosophy of cultivating "international and innovative" talent. Participating students expressed their commitment to leveraging this opportunity to integrate the cutting-edge knowledge in public health and cross-cultural collaboration experience gained at the University of Manchester into their future studies and practice, striving to become exceptional professionals dedicated to safeguarding population health and contributing to global public health development.