Today was such a fun and memorable day during our study abroad trip in England. I got to take my first very first train ride in the UK and traveled from Birmingham to Stratford-upon-Avon, which is famously known as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Even the train ride itself was exciting because it made me feel more independent and helped me experience what daily transportation is like in another country. Looking out the windows during the ride was beautiful because we passed smaller towns, green countryside areas, and old buildings that looked so different from what I am used to seeing back home in the United States (I saw lots and lots of sheep!)
Once we arrived in Stratford-upon-Avon, we immediately noticed how historic and charming the town felt. The streets were lined with old-style buildings, little shops, cafés, and flowers hanging from windows. It honestly looked like something out of a movie or storybook. One of the first things we saw was the famous statue of Shakespeare. Around the statue were sculptures of some of the famous characters from his plays, which I thought was really cool because it showed how much influence his writing still has today. While learning about Shakespeare, we also heard some really interesting facts. One fact that stood out to me was that during COVID-19, the World Health Organization used a speech from Lady Macbeth that lasts about two minutes to encourage proper handwashing. I thought that was such a creative way to connect literature with public health, especially as a nursing student. It reminded me how healthcare education can be made more engaging in unexpected ways.
We then toured the fountain area and later climbed to the top of a tower where we could overlook the entire town. The view from the top was amazing. Seeing the rooftops, churches, rivers, and streets from above made me appreciate how old and preserved the town is. Everything looked peaceful and full of history. I took a lot of pictures because it was one of those views I knew I would want to remember forever.
After that, we toured the original theatre associated with Shakespeare. Even though most of it had burned down years ago, it was still incredible to walk through and learn about its history. I kept imagining what it must have been like during Shakespeare’s time when people gathered there to watch performances. It is amazing how his work has survived for hundreds of years and is still studied all over the world today. We also passed by one of the most famous pubs in Stratford, which added to the traditional English atmosphere of the town. Another important place we visited was the church where Shakespeare is buried, Holy Trinity Church. It felt surreal standing inside such a historic place connected to someone whose work has influenced literature forever, not to mention its beautiful architecture. We learned that Shakespeare has no direct living descendants, which I thought was surprising. Walking up to the church, there were twelve trees on one side representing the disciples and twelve trees on the other side representing the tribes of Israel. Small details like that made the visit feel even more meaningful because there was symbolism everywhere. I also learned that Birmingham City University has a building there called the Shakespeare Institute, which focuses on Shakespeare studies. It was interesting to see how connected the town still is to education and research today.
Even though I am studying nursing instead of literature, I still appreciated learning about the humanities because understanding culture and history can help healthcare workers become more well-rounded and compassionate people. Throughout the day, we learned many random but interesting cultural facts too. For example, I learned where the word “loo” comes from, which is what many people in the UK call the bathroom. It was a French warning “gardez l’eau” (watch out for the water!). Medieval servants supposedly yelled this before emptying chamber pots from upper-story windows onto the streets below. We also learned why men traditionally walked on the outside of the sidewalk while women walked closer to the buildings. Years ago, when waste would sometimes be dumped from upper windows onto the streets, men walked on the outside to help protect women from getting splashed. I thought that was both funny and fascinating because it shows how traditions sometimes come from practical reasons.
During our free time, we stopped for lunch and got gelato afterward, which was such a nice (and crucial) treat. We also explored little charity shops along the streets. I really enjoyed this part because it gave us time to relax and wander around on our own. The shops were small but full of unique items, and I loved how their profit was donated to different causes.
Later in the afternoon, we visited Shakespeare’s house. First, we saw the smaller cottages that were more common for regular people during that time period. The houses had dirt floors, small rooms, and very basic living conditions. It made me think about how difficult daily life must have been hundreds of years ago. Then we toured Shakespeare’s actual family home, which was much larger and more luxurious compared to the cottages. The home had stone floors, decorated walls, fireplaces, and even a guest room, all of which reflected the family’s wealth and status.
Inside the house, we learned more about Shakespeare’s father, John Shakespeare, and his glove-making business. One thing that interested me was learning about apprenticeships during that time. Apprentices would usually start around age fourteen and continue until they were about twenty-one years old. They would live inside the family home while learning the trade, and their parents would actually pay for them to stay there. It was so different from education and career preparation today. We also learned that when children turned five years old, they would move out of their mother’s room and begin sleeping in their own area. Another thing I noticed was how many fireplaces were throughout the houses since heating was extremely important during that time period. Walking through the rooms really helped me picture what life would have been like for families living during Shakespeare’s era.
At the end of the tour, we spent some time in the gift shop before heading back to the train station and returning to Birmingham. Once we got back, we spent the evening exploring the Bullring & Grand Central area, grabbing dinner, writing our blogs, and packing our suitcases. It honestly felt bittersweet because tomorrow we leave Birmingham and head to London. Birmingham has already taught me so much during this study abroad experience, and today was the perfect final adventure before starting the next part of our journey.