This morning we headed to the Birmingham City University campus Faculties of Health, Education, and Life Sciences to learn about the different types of health disparities that have an effect on citizens not only in Birmingham but all over the globe. I learned that public health is a multifaceted object that can look very different from person to person for a number of reasons. One cause of the differences that the brilliant Alicia Lashley talked about was the effect of social gradient. This of course proves that the higher the social position one has, the better health care they have access to. This can be due to healthcare being provided from jobs, having more money to pay for better care, or simply just by having the means of getting to and from the doctors. Many individuals have to face the reality that they can not get themselves to the doctors, they cannot pay for their doctors visit, or that they don’t have a job that provides adequate healthcare. Another facet of healthcare disparities can be caused by female genitalia mutilation presented by a profoundly educated woman that I did not catch the name of unfortunately. She taught us a great deal of information on this topic and how it can affect individuals’ lives. Women who have had FGM performed on them usually do not know that they have, and when they do they are often afraid of being examined due to fear of being shamed. There are roughly 200 million women and girls globally that are affected by this process. I am so thankful to have learned about this deeply distressing trauma that takes place worldwide, and now I am better equipped to handle a situation dealing with FGM, shall it arise. After breaking for lunch we had a lecture talking about mental health. The intelligent Jonathan Gadshy provided a detailed history of colonial Britain that can explain a great deal of generational trauma that can be passed down from family member to family member. In addition to discussing how trauma and mental illness occurs, he talked about famous British authors, specifically Joanna Moncrieff, who really questioned the world of psychiatry and how they treat patients with mental illness. While I am unsure of how things work here in the UK, I am highly aware of the practice from doctors who will give out prescriptions like candy, usually at a high dosage as well. Joanna wrote books about how effective the drugs are when it comes to actually treating the disorders. She believes that it should really be highlighted what these medications truly are: mind altering drugs that make me feel better while on them but do not provide long term benefits. I think that this is a wonderful approach to the world of mental health and how we as a society treat them. There are a number of holistic approaches that can be used alternatively to drugs. The number one treatment that should be encouraged is therapy, but not many patients are willing to put the time and effort into their mental health. We finished up the day with the delightful Andrea Driver- Williams, who informed the group about the importance of compassion when handling patients who are affected from HIV. I have never met an individual who is so dedicated and so enthusiastic about ones job. I believe that she has a natural calling for helping those who are suffering through this disease. I knew that HIV does have stigma surrounding it, but Andrea really opened my eyes to just how bad it can be. I left that lecture feeling more empathetic for such individuals because not only are they dealing with a great deal of physical illnesses, they also have to go through the mental and emotional battle of being outcasts of the society. I hope that one day that all HIV nurses are as kindhearted and loving as Andrea. After her wonderful lecture, we headed down to Bucchus Bar in the city centre with BCU alum and current students and had a delicious dinner. I had the chance to talk to Florence more about her experience as an early years teacher, and what made her decide to study abroad. It is my dream to become an English as a foreign language teacher, and after our conversation I am feeling so much more confident and I believe that I can make it. Her kindness really made my evening and had be leaving the bar with my spirits high. Although, the to-die-for brownie might have aided my elevated spirits as well. I am looking forward to another informative day in this beautiful city of Birmingham.