Today was one of the most eye-opening days of our trip so far in Birmingham. Through my education so far, I have been learning about healthcare, education, and social barriers in the United States, but today I was able to see how the UK approaches many of the same issues. We spent the day at Joseph Chamberlain College, attended a nursing lecture at BCU, and ended the evening exploring Birmingham and visiting the Botanical Gardens.
In the morning, our group walked to Joseph Chamberlain College. One of the first things I noticed was the high level of security. Students and visitors needed to wear the badge as a form of identification at all times in the building because the school is highly safeguarded. At first, this surprised me, but after learning more about the area and the students the college serves, it made sense. The college is located in an area with high socioeconomic disadvantage, so the school intentionally creates a safe and structured environment for students. They described the campus as an “oasis,” which I thought was a really powerful way to explain it.
We first observed a classroom where students were learning how to become teaching assistants. The classroom setup looked similar to schools back home, with a smart board, whiteboard, desks, and a teacher leading the lesson. Students of all ages were participating, and the class felt very interactive. After that, we moved to another classroom where older adult learners were studying mathematics and preparing for their upcoming exam. They practiced graphs, product pricing, rounding, clocks, decimals, fractions, and working with symbols such as pounds (£). What stood out to me in both classrooms was the flexibility. Students were able to join class throughout the day depending on their schedules, which showed how the school adapts to students who may have work or family responsibilities.
After observing classes, we toured the campus. We saw breakout rooms where students could study and receive support from teachers and department staff nearby. We also visited the student resource center, which was staffed by recent graduates. I thought this was really beneficial because graduates gain experience while current students receive support from people who recently completed the same programs.
Later, we attended a lecture about Joseph Chamberlain College and learned more about its mission. The college is a sixth form college that provides mostly A-Level and BTEC programs for students ages 16–19 as well as adult learners preparing for higher education or careers. One of the biggest things I learned was how much the college focuses on removing barriers for students. They provide free courses for students making under £30,000 annually, help fund childcare, and assist with transportation costs for students who live more than two miles away. Since my research focuses on low-income single parents and access to education and healthcare, this was especially interesting to me because transportation and childcare are major barriers in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
The college also offers adult learning programs focused on digital skills, English, math, vocational training, and career advice. Many programs are flexible and designed around students’ home lives. Another interesting thing we learned was that the school provides healthcare support and doctor checkups for students who may be hesitant to seek medical care on their own. One of my biggest takeaways from the lecture was the idea that when adults become educated and independent, it positively impacts their families and communities as well.
After returning to BCU South City Campus, we attended a nursing lecture about learning disabilities in the United Kingdom. We learned about the history of learning disabilities, including the use of asylums in the past and how treatment and support have changed over time. Today, the UK focuses more on supporting behavioral health alongside physical health through the biopsychosocial approach. We also learned about the RNLD pathway, which stands for Registered Learning Disability Nurse. These nurses specialize in person-centered care, advocacy, safeguarding, and reducing health inequalities. As a nursing student, I found it really interesting to learn about a nursing specialty that I was not exposed to as commonly in the United States.
To end the day, we visited the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Even with the rain showers and hail… yes, hail, it was one of the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen. Walking through the flowers and greenery after such a busy day felt peaceful and relaxing. Later, we explored Birmingham, looked through shops, and enjoyed a delicious dinner together at a pub called The Figure of Eight.
Overall, today taught me a lot about how healthcare, education, and community support systems can work together to create opportunities for people facing socioeconomic barriers. Seeing these systems firsthand helped me better understand the similarities and differences between the United States and the United Kingdom, especially regarding access and support for vulnerable populations.