We have officially reached the second-to-last full day in Birmingham. I feel bittersweet because although I will miss the city I have called home for the past week and a half, I am so excited to go to London!
Today, we took a more educational approach to the city and visited Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College. This school was wonderful. Natural light flooded through the abundance of windows, and everything was bright and fun.
First, we went on a tour exploring the different sections of the school and its resources, including a library, computer lab, and study spaces. We even saw a simulation room they use for anatomy and physiology classes. This was cool because it showed how they incorporate clinical, practical experience into the curriculum.
We then learned about the demographics of Chamberlain College. Of them, 97% are Muslim, and many speak English as a second language. Many students come back to try and pass their GCSEs, specifically in English so that they can move forward into higher education. It was interesting to note that a public school (by US standards) could be so heavily populated with one demographic.
We also passed a wall with many Muslim and diverse students. Each plaque included their name, where they went to school, a photo of them, and which university they currently attend. This was to show that anyone could attend university despite adverse experiences or diverse backgrounds. I liked this wall because people often think about the linear way to get somewhere, not the different paths people can take.
I also really enjoyed sitting in on Patrick’s class. He was preparing his students for the English GCSE exam on Friday, and it was interesting to see his teaching style. He had a more sarcastic sense of humor and provided jokes throughout his lesson, which I have always liked as a student because it keeps me entertained. He walked the students through a sample question and explained how they should approach specific questions. It was interesting to see how involved the students were and their participation. In that specific class, most students were a little bit younger than me, probably around 17. However, most of them were ESOL students who were not from the UK. Therefore, Patrick had to take a more simplistic approach in his teaching, as we learned some of them do not have as strong fundamental skills as other students their age. However, Patrick walked them through each question and gave them opportunities to show they had been rigorously studying for this important exam. He also showed them specific ways to answer certain questions, which would be incredibly helpful on an English exam.
After that, we had snacks and coffee and got a lecture about the ESOL students at Chamberlain College. We learned the different strategies and approaches they take to teaching their ESOL students, especially as they come from various environments and home backgrounds. Some travel from as far as two hours away to get the specialized, renowned services. That said, some of these students tend to be adult or older than 19, and they all want to either go to school or return to school.
Before our presentations, we explored the botanical gardens, which were absolutely beautiful. We also enjoyed delicious pastries and had time to relax.
After that, it was time to present our findings about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the healthcare and education systems of the US and UK. It was super interesting to see the other groups’ takes on this idea and how they all related it back to the different things we had learned on this trip. It reminded me that we have done much over our time here.
To celebrate, we went to an Indian restaurant where I tried a lamb burger. It was so so good. I absolutely loved all the food there, which I was not expecting, as I do not usually care for Indian food.
Although excited about tomorrow, I cannot wait to go to London.