Our third day in the great city of Birmingham began at BCU’s South City campus, where we met with Sara Zarti, a senior MPH lecturer who introduced us to the foundations of public health. She walked us through the major pillars, the priorities that guide population health decisions, and the social conditions that shape people’s well‑being. What especially interested me was the comparison between the UK’s healthcare structure and the system we’re used to in the United States. The UK’s NHS has been around since 1948, supported by organizations like the UKHSA and a national vaccine program that reaches everyone. In the U.S., healthcare feels more fragmented with a mix of Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, and state‑specific rules. Instead of the UKHSA, we rely on the CDC, and our vaccine programs are handled through a combination of federal and state efforts. Seeing the two systems side by side made me realize how much our nursing education is shaped by the environment we train in. It reminded me that healthcare isn’t a single model. It’s shaped by history, culture, and politics.
Our next lecture shifted into midwifery, taught by Natasha and Kim, with two third‑year midwifery students joining us to share their experiences. Hearing directly from students made the session feel honest and relatable. The session they ran was so much fun and was the most engaging lecture of the day! We did a fun ice breaker at the beginning where we had to guess the show they had on their slide, and I guessed “Call The Midwife” first, so I got a cute burger pin as a little prize which made me happy! Anyways, they explained that midwifery in the UK is its own profession, completely separate from nursing. Midwives complete a three‑year program focused entirely on pregnancy, labor, and postnatal care, and they practice as autonomous professionals. I was surprised by how much independence they have, and how they often lead births, make clinical decisions, and provide continuity of care without a doctor present. Their approach to women‑centered care felt so intentional and grounded, and listening to them made me rethink what patient‑centered care can look like when a system is built around trust and autonomy. I love how the midwives in England are with the mother during her pregnancy, during labor, and even after labor! There were so many benefits to being more personal with them. It also made me appreciate how differently countries structure roles within healthcare.
After our lunch at the South campus’s dining hall, we had a mental health lecture with Jonathan Gadsby, who specializes in voice hearing and lectured us on Mental Health Nurses. This session ended up being one of the most meaningful parts of my day. He talked about the evolution of mental health institutions, how treatment philosophies have changed, and why understanding the person behind the symptoms is essential. One idea that really stayed with me was his explanation of empathy. I always thought empathy meant imagining myself in someone else’s situation, but he challenged that idea. He said true empathy is understanding them in their situation and not imagining how I would feel in their place. If we picture ourselves instead of them, we risk projecting our own experiences and missing what they’re actually going through. That distinction felt so important for nursing. Every patient carries their own story, and our job is to meet them where they are, not where we assume they are. Jonathan ended by emphasizing that compassion is one of the strongest forces in nursing, and that message really resonated with me.
The final lecture of the day focused on Black heritage and was led by Marcia, and she shared Birmingham’s history, the story of the Windrush generation, and how people from Jamaica and other Caribbean countries helped rebuild the UK after World War II. She also talked about the discrimination they faced, including the Windrush scandal. Then we heard from Mardna, a Windrush nurse who came from Jamaica. Listening to her speak was incredibly inspiring. She talked about her journey to the UK and the U.S., the challenges she faced in education and nursing, and how different the profession was in the 1970s. I didn’t realize that nursing wasn’t considered a well‑paid or highly respected career at that time. Despite everything she went through, she carried herself with so much strength and positivity, and I loved every minute of it.
Marcia took us on a walking tour of Birmingham where we explored the canals, the Brasshouse, the Ozzy Bench, the Golden Boys statue, the Birmingham Cathedral, and so many other important and overlooked landmarks in the city. Seeing the city through the lens of the history we had just learned made everything feel more connected. I enjoyed how she told us the full “nitty gritty” details of what crimes and covered stories were not recognized until recently, and especially in the American school system concerning the history of Birmingham I never knew most of what she explained to our group. The canals especially fascinated me that they were once used to transport coal, iron, and sugar during the Industrial Revolution, they’re now surrounded by restaurants and nightlife along Broad Street. Marcia mentioned that history exists so we can stay curious, and I loved that idea.
To end the day, a few of us stopped at Amorino, where I got some gelato with my peers! I chose strawberry and mango, and both flavors were amazing. It really was the perfect treat after such a full day.
Looking back, today felt like a collection of lessons that will stay with me long after this trip ends. From public health to midwifery, mental health to cultural history, everything we learned helped shape not only my understanding of nursing but also my understanding of people. It was a day that reminded me why I chose this profession and how much more there is to learn beyond the classroom. So excited to see what’s in store for tomorrow!