By Daniel J
As summer began breathing its sweltering breath over the world, I began my voyage to England to tour the London area (05/06/2026-05/12/2026).
I have always wanted to go to England. Since I was young, I have been fascinated by England’s mystical forests, iconic landmarks, and gothic buildings portrayed in various films and texts. Also, England is home to some of my favorite soccer teams. So naturally, my heart was filled with excitement throughout my flight to London Heathrow Airport.
With my first step out of the LHR airport, my preconception of London was broken. I always imagined London to be gray and a bit moody, but to my surprise it was very sunny and balmy. The weather on my day of arrival actually reminded me of the sunlit weather in Los Angeles.
Feeling lucky I got to see London in its better mood, I hopped in my Uber and made my way into the heart of London. I was picked up by a driver named Gabe. Gabe was a middle-aged man who
had traveled across the entirety of Europe throughout his life. Due to the infamous London traffic, we were able to talk to each other for two hours. Gabe told me many vivid stories of his youth and about his travels. It was very interesting to talk with a person with such an open yet reflective viewpoint on the world. His words “The best places you will travel to aren’t the most beautiful places, but the ones that’ll make you think more” really stuck out to me. From that moment on, I knew this trip was going to be very memorable.
Throughout the first couple of days of my trip, I was able to visit the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Hunterian Museum (The love I gained for visiting medical museums in Korea continued in London). Each museum had a distinct atmosphere and appeal. The Science Museum displayed numerous objects and interactive models that showcased centuries of medical innovation. The Natural History Museum filled me with awe with its grand, majestic interior; it also allowed me to glimpse into various aspects of Earth’s vast history. Unlike the grand and bustling environment of the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum, the Hunterian Museum felt more serene and contemplative. The Hunterian Museum was filled with various organs and skeletal structures of humans and animals. There, I was able to trace the evolution of surgery and learn how generations of physicians shaped modern medicine through trials and discoveries.
Next, I visited the Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret. As soon as I walked into the exhibit, I was captivated by its antique wooden interior- which felt as if it had popped right out of a Harry Potter book. The museum displayed centuries of medical history, from the medicinal herbs once stored in the herb garret to the evolution of surgery and the development of surgical instruments. I was most fascinated by the ancient operating table. I could imagine how physicians conducted lectures and demonstrations hundreds of years ago.
The later parts of my London Trip felt like a blur. I met some friends in central London, and then we were able to go visit Stonehenge. I was very excited to see Stonehenge because of its mysterious background and its features in numerous movies.
After countless meals of doner kebabs, I decided to change up my menu for my last night in London. I ordered an iconic British dish: fish and chips. Because I tried fish and chips many times back home, I thought it would be nothing different. When the door rang for my order, I was greeted by a colossal slab of cod fillet with a hefty bag of fries (or chips as the Brits call it). After a fearsome battle to finish my ginormous meal, I went into a daze. Then I began to recollect the events of the past couple of days.
Even though it was hard to think because I was in a food coma, I thought about the beautiful landmarks and the various museums I visited. I began thinking more about the medical museums and the evolution of medicine. Suddenly my mind landed on this question: “What does medicine mean for humans?”
For some people, medicine is just an over the counter remedy for a common cold. For others, it is chemotherapy that represents hope in the battle against cancer or a critical, life-altering surgery for a second chance at life. For many of us, medicine is the reason why the people we love can still spend time with us today.
I believe that medicine is more than a collection of drugs, procedures, and scientific discoveries. Medicine personifies our human nature to love each other. Medical breakthroughs happen because many people dedicate their lives to helping others. Looking into the future, I hope someday I will actively take part in the medical community to help patients and their families navigate through their circumstances.
