A little bit of class...and a little bit of tea -- June 29

Monday morning started off strong...and sleepy for students and teachers alike!  Good thing our only required activity on Monday was class! 

We created our own "Top 10 List" of modern public health problems, had a crash course into the government and healthcare of Northern Ireland in preparation for our trip this week, and watched TikToks.  Yes, TikToks in class!  We talked with students about reaching audiences with health messages in the way that is most accessible to them -- and in 2026, one such way is TikToks.  Each group of students had to create 3 TikToks on a health behavior (smoking, drinking, nutrition, physical activity, and sleep!) and compare/contrast Ireland and the US.  We had a viewing party in class -- and it was a lot of fun...even if I had to have the students explain a TikTok trend or two in order to understand what was going on.  HA! 

After lunch and a quick nap, I headed up to St. Stephen's Green to go have afternoon tea -- on a bus around the city!  It's about as crazy as it sounds, but it was a fun way to spend an hour. I sat next to a couple who recently retired from Charlotte, NC to SPAIN!  In talking with them, one of the reasons they moved was for universal health care -- which was interesting to talk about in light of our class topic.  

 

When the tour ended, I strolled around St. Stephen's Green -- which may be the most beautiful park I've encountered since I've been here.  There were big tree-lined walkways that remind me a bit of the ones on campus.  I'll definitely head back before I leave.  I ended the day at St. Patrick's Cathedral with Evensong.  It was a beautiful church and an ages-old service with a full choir that was cool to experience.

 

 

We're off to Northern Ireland for a couple of days -- catch you when we get back!