Headed to the UK

Hi! My name is Della Davis and I am a first-year nursing student at the University of Pittsburgh. I am from Haddonfield, New Jersey where I have a younger brother, Alex, and two dogs. In my free time I enjoy hiking, reading, drawing, and skiing. At the University of Pittsburgh, I am a member of…

Small Town to A New Country

Hi, my name is Emily Stephan and I am a nursing major at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. I grew up originally in New York State but moved to Pennsylvania where I went to middle and high school in a small town called Kane. Some things that I enjoy doing include: Reading romance books,…

Bye Pittsburgh, Hello Birmingham!!

Join me, as I embark on an unforgettable journey at the Plus3 two-week program in Birmingham, England. Born in sunny Jupiter, Florida, I’m a first-generation nursing student at Pitt, inspired by my grandmother’s legacy. This trip is a dream come true to explore the UK’s rich culture and cuisines.

Day 12: Last day in the UK!

Today was our last day in London, which meant it was our final day in England! It’s so insane to think about how fast these past two weeks have gone. We’ve learned so much that will be so valuable to our careers as nurses and I’ve had so much fun getting to know our group…

Thank You for the Music, London!

Today was one of those days that I know I’ll remember for a long time. It was packed from start to finish, but every part of it felt special. I’ve always wanted to explore London, and I’m so happy I finally made it happen. Honestly, I’m proud of myself for taking the leap and just…

Big Ben, Bigger Appetite

Today has been one of the most memorable days of our global experience so far. From early lectures in Birmingham to dinner in London with Pitt alumni, the day was full of learning, hands-on practice, and meaningful connection. We started the morning in Birmingham, where we attended our final set of lectures. The first session…

Smiles, Stories, and Support

Today we had the opportunity to visit the Juniper Centre at Moseley Hall Hospital, which is part of the Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. It was a meaningful visit, and it left us thinking about how important thoughtful, person-centered mental health care really is. From the moment we arrived, the centre felt…

Back to Black (Country)

Today, we visited the Black Country Living Museum just outside Birmingham, and it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable and interesting days out of our trip so far. It’s a place that brings history to life in such a hands-on and immersive way, and I left feeling like I’d genuinely stepped back…

Day 7: The Extravagance of Blenheim Palace and Oxford University

I can’t believe we’re already at the halfway point of this trip! Today was an early morning that consisted of a bus delay. All of what we did today was a little pushed back from the original schedule, but we carried on and were excited for our day in Oxford!  We drove about two hours…

Spires and Stories

There’s something comforting about knowing your tour guide before the tour even begins. When I saw that Tim would be leading us again, I knew we were in for a good day. He’s one of those rare people who can turn history into something that feels alive and kind of hilarious, too. So, with walking…

Walking Through Birmingham’s History

Today, we took part in something truly special: a Black Heritage Walk through Birmingham, led by the amazing Marcia. From the very beginning, it was clear this wasn’t going to be just another guided tour. It felt more like a journey – through time, through stories, and through a side of the city many of…

Day of the Dirty Duck

Thursday May 15th, we spent the day out at Stratford upon Avon. Leaving the hotel, we were all worried because the morning was quite chilly and it felt like rain. We made our way to Moor Station and hopped on a train! When we arrived in Stratford the group right away grabbed something warm to…

Post Card from Shakespeare’s Hometown

After a few packed days of exploring Birmingham and attending lectures at BCU, day five of our UK trip gave us something a little different – and honestly, it was exactly what we needed. We hopped on a train from Moor Street Station and headed to Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. The ride took…

Public Health and Word Puzzles

This morning my group had a lecture from the fabulous Miss Sue and Shelly. These women talked a great deal about the ins and outs of General Practice and how it works. This past week I have been hearing about GPs without really having a good understanding of what they are but after their session…

Escape Rooms and Real Roles

Our third day at Birmingham City University, and our second at the City South Campus, was busy and full of activities that helped us learn and made the day memorable. We started the day with a presentation by Sue Brooks and Shelly Canes about General Practitioners (GPs) and Primary Care. They explained how important primary…

New Campus, New Outlooks

Our second day of lectures brought a change of scenery as we visited the City South campus of Birmingham City University for the first time. Although we were only shifting locations, the fresh environment brought new energy – and a full day of powerful, engaging sessions that expanded our understanding of healthcare disparities, nursing, and…

Brownies in Birmingham

This morning we headed to the Birmingham City University campus Faculties of Health, Education, and Life Sciences to learn about the different types of health disparities that have an effect on citizens not only in Birmingham but all over the globe. I learned that public health is a multifaceted object that can look very different…

How to Love Birmingham in 10 Days – Day 2

Today, we had lectures from many different educators to help us understand the education system in the UK and in Birmingham specifically. In the UK, the educational path starts early with “Early Years” education for children aged 3–4. These programs emphasize communication, physical development, emotional well-being, and early literacy and numeracy through a thematic approach…

BCU Vibes: One Day, Countless Lessons

Today’s visit to Birmingham City University (BCU) was more than just a campus tour- it was an experience that challenged and expanded my understanding of what education is and what it can be. From the moment we arrived, the day was packed with presentations, conversations, and experiences that helped me see both the university setting…

Houston, the eagle has landed.

Today we touched down in London and took a very long bus ride to Birmingham. Once we got off the bus, I was so ecstatic to walk around the city and take in all of the gorgeous sites. Of course after that treacherous ride to the hotel, we were all exhausted and were hungry so…