4 answers
Cathleya
Student
Indonesia
2
Questions
Asked
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How can I pursue a career in the U.K or U.S.A in biomedical engineering as an international student What are the steps, and required things, so I could stand out and be out there.?
Currently in Senior High (Grade 10) Wondering what ec, and other things I can do to boost my chances.
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3 answers
Richard A. (Tony) Eckel
31
Answers
Updated
Richard A. (Tony)’s Answer
Cathleya,
At the risk of impacting your social development, find some local health providers and solicit mentors to "Shadow" them and let them teach you. This demonstrates an early and deep passion for the profession. Remember you are an observer and don't limit yourself to technical practice; just being in a ward of sick folks will give you more understanding of the challenges of healthcare delivery than any university lecture. There may be limitations based on privacy and compliance, but get out there and experience the "Real" medical world! Physical therapy, prosthetics, ocularist (if you're an artist! https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/style/christina-leitzel-fun-prosthetic-eyes.html) are all directly associated with human interactions and devices, but get exposure to imaging, internal medicine, orthopedics, emergency medicine, and podiatry as well.
THAT being said, shadowing also allows you to learn about the medical profession early and make a very informed decision on whether or not Biomedical Engineering is what you "dreamed" it was and whether you would feel fulfilled long before you invested capital in an educational activity that doesn't help you achieve your success. Please limit it to no more than 3-4 hours a week and two to three weeks at any one mentor. Maybe start with your pediatrician.
Remember to always respect their time and always close out with a weekend lunch wrap-up (away from work) to thank them and get feed back and final observations away from the clinical setting.
Which opens the door to the question: Why do you want to pursue a Biomedical Engineering degree? Is it to help individuals with custom devices, or is it to make machines that improve healthcare as a delivered service, or is it for the money (money is okay - just be VERY HONEST with yourself!).
Tony
At the risk of impacting your social development, find some local health providers and solicit mentors to "Shadow" them and let them teach you. This demonstrates an early and deep passion for the profession. Remember you are an observer and don't limit yourself to technical practice; just being in a ward of sick folks will give you more understanding of the challenges of healthcare delivery than any university lecture. There may be limitations based on privacy and compliance, but get out there and experience the "Real" medical world! Physical therapy, prosthetics, ocularist (if you're an artist! https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/style/christina-leitzel-fun-prosthetic-eyes.html) are all directly associated with human interactions and devices, but get exposure to imaging, internal medicine, orthopedics, emergency medicine, and podiatry as well.
THAT being said, shadowing also allows you to learn about the medical profession early and make a very informed decision on whether or not Biomedical Engineering is what you "dreamed" it was and whether you would feel fulfilled long before you invested capital in an educational activity that doesn't help you achieve your success. Please limit it to no more than 3-4 hours a week and two to three weeks at any one mentor. Maybe start with your pediatrician.
Remember to always respect their time and always close out with a weekend lunch wrap-up (away from work) to thank them and get feed back and final observations away from the clinical setting.
Which opens the door to the question: Why do you want to pursue a Biomedical Engineering degree? Is it to help individuals with custom devices, or is it to make machines that improve healthcare as a delivered service, or is it for the money (money is okay - just be VERY HONEST with yourself!).
Tony
Thank you so much for the advice and guidance, Mr. Richard A. (Tony.) Have a splendid day!
Cathleya
You too - Let me know how you do!
Richard A. (Tony) Eckel
Shellie Gagliardi
Digital Transformation
5
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Shellie’s Answer
Richards and Chinyere's answers are necessary. One piece of advice I would give on top of theirs is find four or five professionals that are currently working in Biomedical engineering. Ask them for 30 minutes of their time to discuss their background, talk about how they got into their roles starting from college and now into their current role. Where do they see growth within their area of business, do they have other connections that you can reach out to for shadowing, growing your network and when you get a little older pursue internships. Building your network early on will benefit you greatly.
Hello, Ms. Shellie Gagliardi! Thank you so much for your response and advice, it’s really helpful! Pardon me for asking, but how can I find the professionals, is it by LinkedIn, or are there any other applications that allow me to search for professionals? Thank you, once again. Have a great day!!
Cathleya
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1017
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Cathleya,
Good question, and it's admirable that you're planning ahead so early!
The path to biomedical engineering in the UK or the USA is competitive, but it is completely achievable for overseas students who take the correct measures. Here's how you get ready and make an impression:
1. Establish a Solid Academic Basis: Since these subjects are essential to biomedical engineering, concentrate on becoming very good at math, physics, chemistry, and biology. If you have access to advanced-level courses, such as AP, IB, or A-Levels, these are quite beneficial.
2. Engage in Activities Related to STEM: Participate in (or start!) engineering contests such as Olympiads, science fairs, or international challenges, robotics teams, coding clubs, or science clubs. These demonstrate initiative and enthusiasm for the subject.
3. Seek Out Related Extracurricular Activities (ECs) Work as a volunteer or intern in clinics, hospitals, or research labs (even online). Enroll in online classes on medical technology, Python programming, or biomedical subjects (many of them are free on sites like edX, Coursera, or Khan Academy). Launch a side project, make a YouTube channel that explains science subjects, write a blog about biomedical advancements, or develop a working model.
4. Early Research Universities: Check top universities in the UK (such as Imperial College London, University of Glasgow, and UCL) and the US (such as Johns Hopkins, Georgia Tech, MIT, and UC San Diego). Pay attention to international student admissions requirements and scholarship opportunities.
5. Get ready for exams that are standardized: The majority of US institutions need the SAT or ACT, and if English is not your first language, some may additionally ask for the TOEFL or IELTS. To achieve competitive scores, begin your preparation early.
6. Seek for Community Involvement & Leadership: Candidates who exhibit leadership are highly admired by universities. Create a local mentorship organization for younger STEM students, organize a health-tech event at your school, or organize a medical charity fundraising event.
7. Financial Aid & Scholarships: Create a list of international student aid programs and merit-based scholarships offered by US and UK universities. For authoritative guidance, use websites such as UCAS and EducationUSA.
8. Begin writing your own narrative early: It will be easier to write your personal statement or college essays if you keep a journal of your endeavors, successes, and hobbies. Demonstrate how your experience, imagination, and curiosity position you as a potential biomedical inventor.
Just asking this question in tenth grade puts you ahead of the curve. Continue to expand your experiences in both engineering and healthcare, be consistent, and look for chances. You have the ability to realize this desire, and the world is in dire need of more ambitious, globally-minded biomedical engineers like you.
Best wishes!
Good question, and it's admirable that you're planning ahead so early!
The path to biomedical engineering in the UK or the USA is competitive, but it is completely achievable for overseas students who take the correct measures. Here's how you get ready and make an impression:
1. Establish a Solid Academic Basis: Since these subjects are essential to biomedical engineering, concentrate on becoming very good at math, physics, chemistry, and biology. If you have access to advanced-level courses, such as AP, IB, or A-Levels, these are quite beneficial.
2. Engage in Activities Related to STEM: Participate in (or start!) engineering contests such as Olympiads, science fairs, or international challenges, robotics teams, coding clubs, or science clubs. These demonstrate initiative and enthusiasm for the subject.
3. Seek Out Related Extracurricular Activities (ECs) Work as a volunteer or intern in clinics, hospitals, or research labs (even online). Enroll in online classes on medical technology, Python programming, or biomedical subjects (many of them are free on sites like edX, Coursera, or Khan Academy). Launch a side project, make a YouTube channel that explains science subjects, write a blog about biomedical advancements, or develop a working model.
4. Early Research Universities: Check top universities in the UK (such as Imperial College London, University of Glasgow, and UCL) and the US (such as Johns Hopkins, Georgia Tech, MIT, and UC San Diego). Pay attention to international student admissions requirements and scholarship opportunities.
5. Get ready for exams that are standardized: The majority of US institutions need the SAT or ACT, and if English is not your first language, some may additionally ask for the TOEFL or IELTS. To achieve competitive scores, begin your preparation early.
6. Seek for Community Involvement & Leadership: Candidates who exhibit leadership are highly admired by universities. Create a local mentorship organization for younger STEM students, organize a health-tech event at your school, or organize a medical charity fundraising event.
7. Financial Aid & Scholarships: Create a list of international student aid programs and merit-based scholarships offered by US and UK universities. For authoritative guidance, use websites such as UCAS and EducationUSA.
8. Begin writing your own narrative early: It will be easier to write your personal statement or college essays if you keep a journal of your endeavors, successes, and hobbies. Demonstrate how your experience, imagination, and curiosity position you as a potential biomedical inventor.
Just asking this question in tenth grade puts you ahead of the curve. Continue to expand your experiences in both engineering and healthcare, be consistent, and look for chances. You have the ability to realize this desire, and the world is in dire need of more ambitious, globally-minded biomedical engineers like you.
Best wishes!
Hello, Ms. Chinyere! Thank you so so much, it is very helpful! Thank you for your kind words, too, this certainly helped me and I hope others felt helped too. Have a nice day!
Cathleya
You're welcome! I'm glad I could help.
Chinyere Okafor