Day three in Birmingham was one of the most educational and eye-opening days we have had so far on this trip. The lectures today connected back to nursing, healthcare, culture, and a better understanding of people. I learned so much throughout the day, and it really showed me how healthcare and nursing can differ around the world while still focusing on caring for patients.
We started our morning at Birmingham City University South City campus with a public health lecture taught by Sara Zarti, a senior MPH lecturer. We learned about the main pillars of public health, public health priorities, social determinants of health, and different health interventions and programs in the UK. One of the most interesting parts was comparing healthcare in the UK versus the United States. The UK has had the NHS since 1948, along with the UKHSA for surveillance and a national vaccine program. In the US, healthcare is much more mixed with Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, and state and federal systems. Instead of the UKHSA, we have the CDC, and vaccine programs are handled federally and at the state level. It was really interesting to compare the two systems because, as nursing students, we usually only learn from the perspective of our own country. This lecture reminded me that healthcare can look very different depending on the country and its history.
Our next lecture was taught by Natasha and Kim, along with two student guest speakers who are finishing their third year in midwifery. I really enjoyed hearing directly from students because they were honest and relatable about their experiences. We learned about midwifery in the UK and how it is very separate from nursing. Midwives are registered autonomous practitioners who complete a three-year program focused on pregnancy, labor, and postnatal care. One thing that surprised me was how much independence midwives have in the UK. They focus on continuity of care and women-centered care, and they make many of the decisions during birth, and may work with no doctor present. This lecture gave me a new perspective on patient-centered care and how healthcare systems can vary between countries.
After lunch, we had a mental health lecture with Jonathan Gadsby, who has a PhD in voice hearing. This lecture was one of the most meaningful parts of my day. He talked about the history of mental health institutions and how practices have changed over time. He also shared examples of types of patients and discussed how important it is to truly understand patients rather than just treating symptoms. One lesson that really stood out to me was about empathy. I always thought empathy meant putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, but Jonathan explained that true empathy is understanding someone in their shoes, not imagining yourself in their situation. If we only picture ourselves in their place, we may accidentally project our own experiences onto them instead of listening to their perspective. I thought this was such an important reminder for nursing because every patient has different experiences and backgrounds. He ended by saying compassion is one of the biggest driving forces behind nursing, which I completely agree with.
Our final lecture was about Black heritage and was led by Marcia. She taught us about Birmingham’s history, the Windrush generation, and how people from Jamaica and other Caribbean countries helped rebuild Great Britain after World War II.
We also learned about the discrimination and hardships they faced, including the Windrush scandal. We then heard from an amazing guest speaker named Mardna, who was a Windrush nurse from Jamaica. She spoke about her experiences coming to the UK and the US, along with the challenges she faced in education and nursing. One thing I found interesting was that nursing was not considered a highly paid profession in the 1970s like many people may think today. Even with all the difficulties she faced, she stayed positive and inspiring. One quote she left us with that really stuck with me was, “Nothing is a bed of roses, you have to sweat to achieve. Never give up.”
After the lecture, Marcia took us on a walking tour around Birmingham, where we saw the canals, the Brasshouse, the Ozzy Bench, the Golden Boys statue, the Birmingham Cathedral, and many other historical sites. It was amazing being able to connect what we learned in class to the eye-catching city around us. We learned how important the canals were during the Industrial Revolution because they transported goods like coal, iron, and imported sugar throughout Birmingham. The canal areas that once supported trade and industry have now been transformed into busy restaurants, bars, and nightlife areas around Broad Street today. One important thing Marcia said was that history is there for us to stay curious about, and I really liked that idea.
To end the day, we went to Jamaya, where I tried Jamaican food for the first time. I had jerk chicken, and it was incredible. Later, a few of us stopped at Amorino, where I also tried gelato for the first time. I got coffee and blueberry cheesecake flavors, and both were so good.
Overall, today was filled with important lessons, new perspectives, and unforgettable experiences. From public health to midwifery, and mental health to history and culture, I learned so much that will help me not only as a future nurse but also as a person.