Today was our first full day visiting Birmingham City University, and it turned out to be another long day filled with a lot of walking, but also a really interesting and worthwhile experience overall.
We started the day with a tour of both the City Centre and South campuses. My first impression of BCU was how open and bright everything felt. The buildings were very modern, with lots of glass and natural light, which made the spaces feel welcoming and easy to navigate. It gave a very different atmosphere compared to some of the more traditional or older buildings I am used to. The City Centre campus was much larger and seemed to offer a wider variety of majors and programs, making it feel more like a central hub of activity. In contrast, the South campus was more focused on science-related fields, which gave it a slightly different feel, more specialized and academic in a specific way. Even though there was not one specific room or piece of equipment that stood out, the overall layout and design of the campuses made a strong impression.
As we walked between different parts of the campuses, it was also interesting to observe the general environment and how students seemed to move through the space. Everything felt very integrated into the city, especially at the City Centre campus, which made it feel less isolated than some universities in the U.S. The surrounding areas added to the experience, blending academic buildings with the everyday life of the city.
After the tour, we had lunch on the South campus. I got chicken curry with rice, which tasted really good and had a slightly sweet flavor. It reminded me somewhat of the butter chicken we had on the plane, but it felt a bit more fresh and authentic. After a busy morning of walking and taking everything in, it was nice to have a chance to sit down, relax, and recharge a little before the next part of the day.
In the afternoon, we attended a lecture on burn injuries given by Chinenye Anetekhai, who is also serving as our guide for the BCU portion of the trip. The lecture was primarily lecture-based, but it was still very informative and easy to follow. We learned about several different types of burns, including flame, scald, contact, radiation, chemical, electrical, and friction burns, along with how their severity can vary depending on the situation. We also discussed treatment methods, which helped give a clearer understanding of how serious these injuries can be and how much care and attention they require during recovery.
One of the most impactful takeaways from the lecture was learning how much more common burn injuries are in low-income areas. That was something I had not really considered before, and it added an important perspective to the topic. It made the lecture feel more connected to real-world issues rather than just theoretical knowledge, which made it more meaningful overall.
After the lecture, we had some free time before dinner. During that time, I went to the Bullring & Grand Central with Regan, Jackie B., and Kaarthika. On the way there, we stopped a few times to take pictures, which made the walk more enjoyable and gave us a chance to take in more of the city. The mall itself was noticeably busier than most malls I have been to in the U.S., which gave it a more energetic and lively atmosphere. There were a lot of people moving around, and it felt like a central gathering place rather than just a shopping area.
We went into TK Maxx, which is similar to TJ Maxx back home. It was interesting to compare the two, since they are clearly related but still had some differences in layout and product selection. Even small things like branding and organization felt slightly different, which made the experience more interesting than expected.
For dinner, we went to Asha’s. The food was pretty good overall, and it was a nice way to end the day after being out and about for so long. It was not necessarily the highlight of the day, but it was still an enjoyable experience and a good opportunity to sit down and relax again.
By the end of all of this, we had walked over 7 miles, which definitely added to the overall exhaustion. Even so, I am starting to adjust to the time difference a bit more compared to yesterday, which made the day feel slightly easier to get through despite all the activity.
The weather today was pretty similar to yesterday, around the mid-50s, although it felt slightly chillier at times. Overall, it was still comfortable for walking, which was important considering how much ground we covered throughout the day.
Looking back on everything, the most interesting and valuable part of the day was probably the lecture, especially learning about how burn injuries are more common in low-income areas. That added a new perspective that made the experience feel more meaningful. At the same time, getting to explore the university and the city made the day feel well balanced between academics and experiencing a new place.
Overall, it was another long and tiring day, but a really good one. Between the campus tours, the lecture, and exploring Birmingham, it felt like we were able to get a much better sense of both the university and the city itself. I am looking forward to what comes next as we continue our time here.