Today was our final morning in Birmingham, and it was packed with lectures and a bittersweet goodbye to our amazing BCU faculty host, Ana. We began our day at BCU with a lecture focused on the link between smoking and cardiovascular disease. I had known cardiovascular disease was a major problem, but hearing the actually statistics of how prevalent it is was still shocking, specially the number of deaths each year that result from these cardiovascular issues. What stood out most to me was how often smoking is oftentimes not emphasized as amajor  cause, despite how significant its impact is. It sparked an eye-opening discussion on the public health implications of that oversight.Our group also engaged in a really interesting debate around the pros, cons, and challenges of banning smoking in public spaces like schools and hospitals. It can be a tricky issue having to balancing individual freedoms with public health, so it was interesting to engage in a discussion around it. 

After the lecture, we were able to tour the simulation corridors at BCU. This was one of my favorite parts of the day. The facility was so impressive as it was filled with realistic mannequins of adults, children, and even babies, all designed to simulate different medical scenarios. The setup included an adult ward, a pediatric area, an operating room/theatre, an ambulance, and even a replica flat to simulate home visits. Seeing how hands-on training is approached here made me appreciate the creativity and effort that goes into preparing students for real-life situations. They had many similarities to our facilities back at Pitt as well, so it was fun seeing what was the same and what was different!

We wrapped up our academic portion of the day with one final lecture about learning disability nurses. This was particularly fascinating to me because it’s not a role that really exists in the U.S. healthcare system. Hearing about how the UK supports individuals with learning disabilities through a specialized nursing role really highlighted how cultural and systemic differences can shape healthcare delivery. It gave me a lot to think about in terms of inclusivity and accessibility in our own systems back home.

After our last lunch at BCU, we boarded the bus to London. It was a bit surreal saying goodbye to Birmingham, knowing how much we’ve learned and experienced there over the past few days. Once we arrived in London and settled into our hotel, we met up with some Pitt alumni at a local pub. It was such a fun and relaxed way to end the evening. Hearing about their lives after graduation, their careers, and the paths they’ve taken was inspiring, and it really just reminded me of how many possibilities lie ahead.

All in all, it was a day full of learning, connection, and transition. I’m so grateful for everything Birmingham has offered us, and I can’t wait to see what London has in store.