Happy day 2 in Birmingham! Today we took our first real look at Birmingham City University (BCU), where we’ll be spending a lot of our time during this trip. We met Chinenye Anetekhai, who has helped plan our visit and will also be teaching us while we’re here. It was exciting to finally see the campus we had been hearing so much about and to begin learning how university education in the United Kingdom compares to what we’re used to in the United States.
One of the biggest differences we learned about right away is how university programs are structured. Nursing and education programs in the UK typically last only three years instead of four. At first that sounded shorter and maybe easier, but we quickly learned that students don’t get the long breaks that we do back home. Another major difference is that nursing students in the UK must choose their specialty before they even begin their program. In the US, students graduate with a general nursing degree and then specialize afterward. Because UK degrees are so specialized, nurses trained there can’t easily practice in the US without additional schooling. We also learned they don’t take a national licensing exam like the NCLEX, which surprised all of us.
Something else that really stood out to me was the education system for younger students. Before children even start school, teachers conduct home visits. This allows teachers to understand the child’s home environment and make sure it is a safe and supportive space for learning. I thought this was such a thoughtful and proactive approach because it helps teachers build relationships with families right from the start.
After our introduction, Chinenye gave us a tour of both the north and south campuses. The north campus was brand new and absolutely stunning. The buildings felt almost like museums: huge windows, bright open spaces, and lots of natural light. Dr. Marks explained that this design was intentional to create a welcoming and positive learning environment. I couldn’t help comparing it to many of my classrooms at University of Pittsburgh, which are older and sometimes windowless. BCU also had tons of cozy seating areas and even an outdoor garden, giving students plenty of places to study, relax, or socialize. It felt like a campus designed with student wellbeing in mind.
Next, we headed to the south campus, which is where most of our classes will take place. We rode a double-decker bus to get there, an iconic UK experience that was both exciting and slightly terrifying! After a quick tour and lunch in the cafeteria, we had our first lecture of the trip. Chinenye taught us about burns, which is her nursing specialty.
The lecture was incredibly informative and eye-opening. Burns may not happen frequently, but they are high-impact injuries that can have lifelong consequences. We learned that burns are a leading cause of disability in low-income households and developing nations, and that many of these injuries happen in the home. Children are especially vulnerable. Hearing this really emphasized how important prevention and education are
We discussed the different types of burns, including flame, scald, and electrical burns, and how many can be prevented through simple safety measures. For example, parents should avoid drinking hot beverages while holding children and should never leave boiling water where kids can reach it. One of the most important first-aid tips we learned is to run a burn under cool water for at least 20 minutes within the first three hours after the injury. This helps stop the burn from continuing to damage deeper tissue. We also learned to remove clothing and jewelry quickly because swelling can trap them against the skin. Something that shocked me was that full thickness burns often cause no pain because the nerves are destroyed.
It was inspiring to learn how awareness campaigns work to reduce burn injuries. In the US, Burn Awareness Week takes place in February, while the UK has Burn Awareness Day in October. Sharing survivor stories plays a huge role in prevention because many burn injuries are avoidable with the right knowledge.
After leaving BCU, Meredith, Cameron, and I spent some time strolling around Birmingham, enjoying the parks and doing some people (and pigeon) watching. It was nice to slow down and soak in the atmosphere of the city after such a busy day of learning.
Later, we met up with the group for dinner at Asha’s, which turned out to be one of the highlights of the day. The restaurant walls were decorated with photos of famous visitors like Ed Sheeran and Malala Yousafzai, which made the experience feel even more special. The Indian food was incredible, we had butter chicken, samosas, naan, and so many delicious dishes to share. To end the night, a few of us went out for gelato. I chose hazelnut and tiramisu, and it was a perfect 10/10 treat.
Today was the perfect mix of education, exploration, and fun. I’m already learning so much about healthcare, education, and culture in a different country, and I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!