This morning started earlier than I would’ve liked, but once we got to BCU’s South Campus, the day picked up quickly. We had two final lectures before officially wrapping up our time in Birmingham. The first one focused on cardiovascular diseases, especially how common they are in older adults. It turned into a really thoughtful discussion about how aging, lifestyle, and chronic conditions all overlap to increase risk. Hearing the UK perspective made me realize how similar the challenges are across different healthcare systems all over the world. Even though the structure of care might differ, the conditions we see, and the people we care for, are more alike than different.

After a short break, we came back for a full review of ECG waves. Even though I’ve learned ECGs before, this review felt more hands‑on and practical. We broke down each part of the tracing: The P wave, showing atrial depolarization, also known as the first electrical spark, that starts the heartbeat. The QRS complex, representing ventricular depolarization, the big contraction that pumps blood out to the body. And the T wave, where ventricular repolarization happens and the heart resets for the next beat. We also talked about electrode and lead placement and how each lead gives a different angle of the heart’s electrical activity. It was a solid refresher, and honestly, it made me feel more confident in reading ECGs. There’s something about learning this content in a different country that makes it stick in a new way. The picture below is an image I’ve never seen before, but after it was explained, it made a lot more sense.

But the hardest part of the morning wasn’t the content, it was saying goodbye to Chinenye. She’s been such a huge part of our experience here, especially during our skills lab. She’s patient, funny, and genuinely cares about teaching. When she hugged us goodbye, it hit me how much she contributed to this trip. It was sad leaving her, but I’m grateful we got to learn from her at all. I wish I could fit her in my suitcase because she genuinely brought my spark for nursing back with her support and enthusiasm. She’s the main reason why I’m so glad I came on this trip. It’s crazy to think some of the most important people you meet in your life you’ll never see again. I really hope I do!

After class, we had our last lunch in Birmingham, which felt a little bittersweet, at the Boston Tea Party. I got the BEST avocado toast of my life with pomegranate seeds on top, and it was genuinely amazing. Birmingham has grown on me more than I expected. It’s not flashy or overwhelming, but it’s comfortable and full of meaningful moments that made the past week feel special. Knowing it was our last meal there made me appreciate it more.

Then we grabbed our suitcases, loaded onto the bus, and started the three‑hour drive to London. The ride felt long, but the second we pulled up to our hotel, everything shifted. The hotel is beautiful, easily the nicest place I’ve ever stayed at on a vacation/trip, and the room felt like such a treat after a long travel day. It’s funny how something as simple as a clean, bright room can instantly reset your mood.

Once we settled in, a group of us headed out for souvenir shopping. London has such a different energy from Birmingham, louder, busier, and way faster‑paced. We were looking for simple souvenirs, so we had to be extra careful to look out for pick-pocketers. Even just walking around the shops, you can feel the shift. It already feels like the end of the trip is truly starting.

Tonight we had our Pitt Alumni Dinner, which ended up being such a fun way to kick off our time in London. The restaurant was cozy and lively, and the food was amazing. I ordered ribs and a matcha cheesecake that was absolutely phenomenal. It was one of those meals where you’re full but still thinking about how good it was afterward. The dinner also was very nice getting to talk to adults that graduated from Pitt (who ended up living in London) and decided to come eat dinner with us! Also, being so far from home but surrounded by people who share the same school pride was comforting.

After dinner, we walked back to the hotel, taking in the nighttime energy of the city. London at night feels alive in a way that’s hard to describe with the lights, the movement, the mix of people from everywhere. Even though we were all tired, the walk back felt exciting, like we were stepping into something big. My friend’s and I had SUCH a fun walk back, seeing how beautiful London is at night.

Now that I’m back in the room, I can already tell the next two days are going to fly by. I’m excited for everything London has in store tomorrow including the Florence Nightingale Museum, the history, the food, all of it. This trip has already given me so much, and I can feel that London is going to add a whole new layer to the experience. I’m ending the night feeling grateful, tired in the best way, and ready for tomorrow. Cheerio!