Today felt like one of those days where everything I’m learning abroad suddenly clicks into place! The hands‑on skills, the cultural differences in healthcare, and even the history of the city we’re temporarily calling home. We started our morning at BCU’s South Campus once again, where we stepped into the Simulance. This is a full simulation of a UK ambulance. It looked exactly like the real thing, down to the equipment placement and the tight layout that paramedics have to navigate while treating patients. The instructor walked us through every compartment, explaining what the tools were used for, how UK paramedics prioritize care, and how the setup differs from what we’re used to in the U.S. I never realized how much strategy goes into organizing such a small space. It made me appreciate how adaptable emergency workers have to be, especially in fast‑moving situations.
After that, we split into groups for our first skills lab of the day. My group started with a lesson on catheter insertion for both male and female patients. Before practicing, we watched informational videos to get familiar with the steps, sterile technique, and the reasoning behind each part of the process. Then we moved to the mannequins and actually performed the procedure. I genuinely loved this experience. It felt like one of those “real nursing” moments where you can see your confidence growing. Practicing on the mannequins helped me understand the angles, the resistance you feel, and the importance of communication and patient comfort. I even got “peed” on a little! (It was water don’t worry.)
Next, Blessing, our instructor for this first skills lab, introduced us to a model we affectionately called Mr. Jones you see in the pic above. She demonstrated how to insert a nasogastric tube and then how to place a feeding tube directly into the stomach through the skin, which is something I had only ever seen in textbooks. Watching her work made the process feel less intimidating, she explained everything with so much clarity and patience. Seeing the anatomy up close on the models helped me understand how delicate the procedure is and how important it is to check placement and maintain sterility.
After lunch, we headed into our second skills lab with Chinenye, who taught us all about wound care. Before we even got to cleaning or dressing wounds, we practiced removing staples from model skin. These models represented areas of the body where the skin is thinner, like the scalp or eyebrows, so we had to be extra gentle. It was surprisingly satisfying to do, and it made me realize how much precision is required in even the smallest nursing tasks.
Then came the wound models. Some had multiple layers of skin exposed, some had pus, and all of them looked realistic. Chinenye’s passion for wound care made the whole lesson so engaging. She explained the different types of wounds, how to assess them, and why proper cleaning is essential for preventing infection. After her demonstration, we each got to clean the wounds ourselves, practicing the correct motions and techniques. She also taught us how to properly bandage a patient’s arm, leg, and even how to wrap the nub of a patient with amputated fingers. It was honestly so much fun, and I felt like I was learning skills I’ll use constantly throughout my career.
After a short break, we headed to the Grand Central food court where I treated myself to a burrito (10/10, exactly what I needed). Then we walked to meet a man named Peter, who took us on a ghost tour, though it was really more of a storytelling walk through Birmingham’s darker history. He told us about the first and last public hanging in the city, shared stories of paranormal activity in old buildings, and even talked about the Peaky Blinders during World War II. One story that stuck with me was about a man who may have been wrongly accused of murdering a police officer. Witnesses said one of the attackers had a head injury, and an Irish-Catholic man (at the time the Irish and Catholics were not liked in this area) happened to have one the same night the Peaky Blinders jumped two officers. With no other description, he was blamed and possibly innocent. Hearing stories like that made the city feel layered, like every street has something hidden beneath it. Fun fact, the pic below is actually one of the most haunted pubs in Birmingham!
Overall, today was such a cool mix of clinical learning and cultural experiences. I’m exhausted, but in the best way. This is the kind of tired that comes from learning, exploring, and soaking in everything around me.
