Hi everyone! My name is Jacob Halka, and I’m studying abroad in England this May in a program focusing on Genomics and Precision Health through the School of Nursing. I’m a rising junior majoring in Molecular Biology, with a minor in Chemistry and a Public Communication of Science and Technology certificate.

Upon our arrival in England, we took a bus to the Harlaxton Manor in Grantham, where we’ll be staying for the next two weeks. I think the fact that we get to live in an English castle is without a doubt one of the coolest parts of this program!

On our first day, we received the house tour, and with it, the rich history of Harlaxton Manor. There’s many beautiful rooms that have been continuously added to throughout the long list of owners of the manor, and I’m excited to explore them more as I get settled in.

Since I was 8, I’ve really wanted to visit the United Kingdom, but I haven’t had the chance to go until now. I initially thought the U.S. and U.K. would be somewhat similar in terms of culture, and more so than the U.S. and other European countries, since they share the same language and quite a bit of history.

Although our cultures are distinct, they are very closely connected, and both countries are leaders in genomics research and clinical genetics studies in ways that complement one another. It’s been very refreshing to get an English perspective on current events in the United States, research funding, and healthcare, and I definitely think there’s a lot the U.S. can learn from England’s systems.

I’m particularly excited about how this program allows us to explore much of England and engage with its history while also educating us on genomics and some of England’s recent research breakthroughs and projects. In particular, I’ve really enjoyed the guest lectures we’ve had from nurse researchers that work on national genetics studies directly through England’s National Health Service (NHS). I’m looking forward to some of our upcoming science excursions that are part of our course, including the Thackray Museum of Medicine and the Alexander Fleming Laboratory.

One of my favorite moments from this past week would have to be our tour of the Belvoir Castle, where we stopped for afternoon tea in the designated Tea Room of the castle. It was super interesting to learn that it was at this very castle that the tradition of afternoon tea was invented in the 1840s (by Anna Russell, the Duchess of Bedford, who was a frequent visitor of the castle).

In this experience, I hope to immerse myself in a different culture while taking some valuable insights about the kinds of science and research I’m interested in back home with me. Personally, I hope to explore England and be open-minded to different perspectives and approaches, considering them and integrating them into my worldview. Intellectually and professionally, I hope to gain some more knowledge about genomics, healthcare in England, and the history of science as it relates to modern research efforts on cancer, immunology, and viral infection, which we’ve covered quite a bit in class.

I’ve been having a great time in England so far, and I’m really excited to see what this next week has in store and keep you posted on my journey!