Today was a brilliant day spent exploring beautiful architecture. As a freshman nursing student from the United States, I came into this trip expecting to learn mostly about healthcare systems and nursing practices, but I have already realized that studying abroad teaches you so much more than what can be learned in a classroom. Today was a perfect example of that. This morning, our group took a coach bus about an hour and a half away from Birmingham to visit Blenheim Palace. The bus ride itself was enjoyable because we got to transition out of the busy city atmosphere of Birmingham and into more open countryside views. The scenery along the highway was so peaceful, with rolling green land and wide open spaces that looked completely different from the city streets we have been used to seeing every day. It reminded me how much the environment can shape the feeling of a place. When we arrived at the palace, we met our tour guide, Tim, who led us through the grounds and taught us about the history behind everything we were seeing. Before we even entered the palace, there was a race happening nearby, and as someone who loves running, I immediately got excited. Seeing people run around the palace grounds made me think about how incredible it would be to run there myself someday. The scenery was absolutely stunning and felt almost unreal.
One thing Tim explained that really stood out to me was how purposeful the landscape design was. He described the grounds as being built in a theatrical way, meaning that everything was carefully placed to create dramatic views and emotional reactions. From far away, we could see the Column of Victory, which was built in honor of Sarah Churchill, the Duchess of Marlborough, who was known for having a strong relationship with the queen. It was interesting learning how architecture and landscaping were used almost like storytelling tools during that time period.
Inside the palace, I learned several things I had never known before. One of the coolest parts was getting to see the birthplace of Winston Churchill. I knew Churchill was an important historical figure, but I had no idea he was born there. We also learned that he painted over 500 paintings throughout his lifetime, which honestly surprised me because I had only associated him with politics and leadership during wartime. It reminded me that people are often much more complex than the single role history remembers them for.
After touring the palace, we explored the gardens, which were probably one of my favorite parts of the day. There was a giant garden maze that looked so fun, along with bushes trimmed into duck shapes. We also saw real ducks freely wandering around the grounds. Everything looked so carefully maintained, yet still natural and peaceful at the same time. Being surrounded by nature and open space felt refreshing after spending time in busy city areas.
Later in the day, we traveled to Oxford. During the bus ride, Tim gave us background information about the city and its history. We learned that medicine is one of the most studied subjects at the university, which immediately caught my attention as a nursing student. Hearing about Oxford’s academic history made me think about how education has evolved over time and how students from all over the world come there to study. We also learned random but fun facts, like the official Oxford colors and traditions surrounding the university.
One thing I noticed immediately in Oxford was how different the architecture looked compared to Birmingham. The limestone buildings, bridges, churches, and stone roads all had a similar light brown color that made the city feel historic and connected. Walking through Oxford honestly felt like stepping into another time period. The buildings were so detailed and beautiful that it almost did not feel real.
We also walked past the Ashmolean Museum, where we learned that Pocahontas’s cape is held. As someone whose favorite Disney movie growing up was Pocahontas, I thought that was so interesting. It was one of those random facts that suddenly made history feel more personal and memorable to me. Dr. Marks also gave us a fun trivia fact! Gargoyles are the statues that actually shoot water out, while similar statues that do not function that way technically are not gargoyles. It was such a small detail, but it made me pay closer attention to the architecture around us for the rest of the day.
Another major part of Oxford culture that we learned about was rowing. Oxford takes rowing very seriously, and we learned about the “Head of the River” tradition, where teams compete by bumping the boat in front of them. I thought it was fascinating how sports traditions can become such an important part of a university’s identity and culture. We also walked past kids playing cricket, which is definately not a common activity you see happening at PITT or even in the United States.
As we continued walking, we saw parts of the old city wall running through Oxford. We learned that the wall is inspected every three years and once served as a final protective barrier during the English Civil War. It was amazing seeing pieces of history still standing and functioning centuries later.
One of the most memorable parts of the tour was learning about life before modern medicine and sanitation. As nursing students, this connected especially strongly to what we study. We visited one of the old dining halls and learned that people used to drink more beer than water because waterborne illnesses like cholera made drinking water unsafe. Large barrels, called “butts,” of beer were stored in the buttery. Hearing about this really reminded me how far healthcare and public health have advanced over time. Today, we often take clean drinking water and sanitation for granted, but those developments completely changed life expectancy and health outcomes around the world.
Walking through the streets of Oxford also reminded me strangely of Charleston, South Carolina, where my cousin lives. The street lined with gift shops, cafés, and little restaurants reminded me a lot of King Street in Charleston. Even though the cities are in completely different countries, there was a similar atmosphere that made me feel unexpectedly connected to home for a moment.
After briefly stopping in a gift shop, we finally headed back to Birmingham. By the time we returned, the rest of the evening became a work night as we prepared for our conference tomorrow. Even though I was tired, today reminded me why studying abroad is such a valuable experience. Every place we visit teaches me something new, whether it is about history, healthcare, culture, or even myself. As a freshman nursing student, I am beginning to realize that understanding people and the world around you is just as important as learning clinical skills.
