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We started our day off by visiting the Norsk Folkemuseum and immersing ourselves in the cultural history from all regions of Norway. This open-air museum was founded in 1846 and consists of over 160 buildings dating between 1500 to present. The museum staff consists of an interdisciplinary team of scholars trained as ethnologists, folklorists, cultural historians, anthropologists, and art historians. These scholars work to preserve and produce new knowledge about cultural heritage and traditions in Norway. This represents sustainable developmental goal (SDG) #4: Quality Education by promoting an appreciation of cultural diversity. The Sami exhibition was a class favorite because of our experience with the Sami resident at Lovisenberg Omsorg+.

Traditional Sami costumes depicting similarities and differences in cuts and color which represent different language groups and districts.

It is common to see garments of reindeer fur used by Sami people due to the insulation it provides against the northern climate.

The Stave Church from Gol, purchased by The Society for the Preservation of Norwegian Ancient monuments originating from approximately 1200.

While at the Norsk Folkemuseum sustainable developmental goal (SDG) #15: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, was evident. Each of these buildings were surrounded by green space, trees, and even animals. Many of the buildings increase terrestrial ecosystem space by covering the roof in grass.

Grass covering the roof of buildings at the Norsk Folkemuseum.

Pathway between buildings at the Norsk Folkemuseum.

Our day concluded with a trip to Lovisenberg Omsorg+. While there we carried out sustainable developmental goal (SDG) #3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. We were able to keep the residents engaged in activities such as BINGO, chess and everyday conversations while practicing speaking English.

Lovisenberg Omsorg+.

Thanks for following along on our journey!

As part of the study abroad clinical immersion for Community Health we are attending sessions with key informants along with the LDUC Urban Health students.  We are collaborating internationally with Norwegian students through a group project to assess health concerns, resources and recommendation for support and care to marginalized populations in Norway. Community topics include homelessness, cognitive decline in the aging, and gender health disparities within the prison population. In this collaboration with international students, we can challenge current clinical practice and broaden our perspectives – this partnership practice directly relates to the Sustainable Development Goal #17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development. A collaborative alliance between two incredible universities meets target 17.6, in that multi-stakeholder partnerships mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and resources to support the SDG’s in all countries. Hopefully cooperation on this scale could influence the indicators for meeting this target by a growing number of countries progressing toward frameworks that support these Sustainable Development Goals as suggested in 17.16.1. Additionally, such projects create the framework for changes in health policy. Promoting and enforcing non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development (Target 16.b) is critical to the Sustainable Development Goal #16. As future nurses, we are  uniquely dedicated to a future of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Reflecting on this opportunity during the program was meaningful, as caring for those outside of our personal life experiences and placing priority on achieving health equity for all people worldwide is at the heart of nursing. Finally, understanding that to have an impact in global community health at this moment in our nursing career is an undeniable joy.

Norwegian student project partner

The afternoon experience took place at Frogner Park (Norwegian: Frognerparken) with beautiful sunny weather. Much like the Windshield Survey that was completed on Day 1 in Oslo, we observed the largest public park with our international nursing student counterparts. This is a popular destination and we observed a mix of young and old, multicultural families, couples, and friends. Among many leisurely sunbathers, other recreational activities included picnics and various exercise pursuits. This friendly atmosphere almost transcended me back to the Oval on The Ohio State University main campus!

A permanent sculpture installation, created by Gustav Vigeland in the eighteenth century, covers a large expanse of Frogner Park. Featuring more than two-hundred humanized statues which depict engagement in various activities like running, dancing, and hugging – all representing different aspects of life. One of the famous sculptures represents a crying child, which apparently some people aim to comfort by holding the hand; however, other visitors widely imitate. Oslo Municipality purchased this public park, thus establishing the Frogner Stadium and tennis courts on the grounds.

These green spaces reflect Norway’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goal #3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Specifically, target 3.4 (to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by one third, through the prevention, treatment, and promotion of mental health and wellbeing). Having a governmental system that promotes a healthy lifestyle addresses specific indicators such as the following: mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease (3.4.1) and suicide mortality rate (3.4.2). Therefore, year-round access to public greenspaces like this are important for meeting the holistic needs of individuals. After a walk through Frogner Park, it is evident that Norwegians deeply celebrate their culture and health-conscious society. If ever visiting Oslo, make some time for this destination, even for simply appreciating a mindful moment to “stop and smell the roses” since this location hosts the biggest collection in all of Norway.

P.S. Although the roses do not bloom until mid-June, please enjoy the below image of these vibrant tulips in the meantime!

The white granite column called the “Monolith” consists of a series of intertwining human bodies.

The fountain – earliest sculpture unit in the park

“The Wheel of Life” sculpture

Tusen takk!

(Norwegian for “Thank you so much”)

-Ashley

Today is the national holiday of Pentecost a.k.a Whit Sunday, here in Norway! This is a Christian holiday that occurs 50 days after Easter and commemorates the belief that the Holy Ghost descended upon the disciples of Jesus Christ. Norway has historically been a Christian country, so Pentecost is a public holiday and is observed by many shops and businesses closing in celebration. The streets are pretty empty today in Oslo, so it is common for Norwegians to spend time doing activities outdoors, and many of the students did the same!

Since we had the weekend off from LDUC and clinical practice, lectures and clinical, one student completed an 8 mile hike up to the Skjennungstua restaurant only to be rewarded with a delicious cinnamon roll!

Other students went to the gorgeous Sognsvann Lake, a popular camping and fishing destination. They hiked 4 miles, and of course stopped to enjoy the scenic views!

We were all pleasantly surprised at the number of outdoor activities available to do in Oslo. In a children’s park very close to our hotel, we discovered a beautiful sculpture promoting environmental sustainability goal #11 to “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”. Akerselva, a river nearby has not only a self-guided walking tour, but an outdoor gym! The amount of beautiful outdoor spaces available encourages citizens to walk, exercise, and enjoy the fresh air. This health promotion technique reminded me of the sustainable development goal #3 to “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”.

Julia, Sharie, and I ended our Sunday by eating, studying, and doing some much needed laundry at the local Café Laundromat! Café Laundromat was thankfully open during the holiday today and has a variety of great food, as well as washers and dryers available in the back for public use! Overall, we all enjoyed our Sunday in Oslo and soaked up the amazing culture that Norway has to offer!

Best wishes from Oslo!

-Brianna

We began our morning today by meeting at LDUC (Lovisenberg Diaconole University College) University for a healthy breakfast of yogurt and fruit and to participate in a Virtual Reality (VR) simulation. Many of us enjoyed our breakfast on the LDUC rooftop terrace and enjoyed the amazing view of Oslo, Norway while we rotated through the simulation.

View from the rooftop of LDUC.

The virtual reality simulation “We Live Here”, was about a woman who was experiencing homelessness and living in a tent. The police officers were kicking her and her neighbors out of the area. It had us go through her belongings, like her journal and photos, as well as her memories. The VR simulation helped humanize people experiencing homelessness and make them more relatable. This relates to sustainable development goal (SDG) #11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Healthcare workers may not be able to change the law, but we can put our own judgments and stigma aside to provide quality healthcare to everyone.

After VR simulation, our day was filled with key informant information lectures and discussions. We discussed healthcare in the prison system, the emergency shelter for women, Kirkens Bymisjon, and poverty in Norway. We learned about the migrant populations in Norway and the biggest ethnic group, the Roma people. The lectures promoted SDG goal #1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere, SDG goal #10: Reduce inequality within and among cities, and SDG goal #16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

A booklet we were given on the Roma people.

Later in the evening, we had a social activity with pizza and a nursing clinical game with the Norwegian students, some of which are part of the LDUC student parliament. The nursing game “SYKEPLEIER SPILLET,” was created for nursing students and helped us refresh our knowledge on what we have learned in our nursing education. We divided in groups to be sure we had students from the U.S (United States) and Norway mixing in the groups. We also had students join from Slovenia and Australia who are also working with LDUC. We all loved the game! I know for me it improved my confidence in my nursing knowledge and it was also a wonderful opportunity to get to know the international students. This event also reinforced SDG #3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Overall, today was great for learning about diverse groups of people. Not only did we learn from the key informant lectures, but a lot of us were having great conversations getting to know the Norwegian students. In closing, I think this trip has motivated us all to continue learning about new cultures and populations.

Day 4 in Oslo most of our day was spent at our host university, Lovisenberg Diaconal University College (LDUC). We attended lectures on Global Health and Homelessness and received a tour of the facilities. The university promotes a state-of-the-art learning facility that supports many sustainable goals such as SDG#3 Good Health and Well-Being, SDG #4 Quality Education, and SDG#9 Industry Innovation, and Infrastructure.

They have many simulated rooms that mimic the clinical environment in the hospital to allow students to practice a plethora of nursing skills. The students can also practice with high-fidelity simulation mannequins that resemble human anatomy and behaviors to demonstrate realistic patients and allow students to interact and learn. There are a multitude of study rooms throughout the building which allow students to support their learning and group interactions. This fulfills SDG#4 which is quality education. In addition to academics, LDUC focuses on SDG#3 which is the health and well-being of its students as noticed by many plants throughout and by providing a recreational loft, a rooftop garden that overlooks Oslo. Students often go to the rooftop area to eat, study, enjoy the greenery, and get fresh air.

   Recreational room

Plants in the hallways

Rooftop area

Rooftop area                 

The university has a museum that highlights the history of Nursing in Norway and Cathinka Guldberg, the founder of LDUC who was integral to many of the advancements in nursing in Norway. The museum showcases the innovation of nursing through many items such as pictures, medical instruments, and uniforms which are part of LDUC’s history. These advancements target SDG#9 where Industry Innovation and Infrastructure are the focus.

Lovisenberg Diaconal University College (LDUC)

Cathinka Guldberg

LDUC strives to continue Cathinka Guldberg’s legacy by serving the local community. We visited Osmorg+, which is a community with many homes for senior citizens. A concert was held for the residents by a local band.  In addition, one of the residents played the saxophone and the room fell silent as we intently watched, and most of us teared up. This resident’s family was also by his side, and it made the moment even more special. Another resident sang a greeting in Sami which is an indigenous group in Northern Europe. We socialized and had fun with the seniors through sharing snacks, coffee, conversations, and dancing with them. As the evening and songs progressed, we invited residents to join us on the dance floor. One senior loved to twirl each of us in circles, while others just wanted to hold our hands or practice their English. While not all the residents spoke English, they still showed gratitude by either hugging us or kissing us on the cheek. One senior, Marie (pictured below), waited patiently for our arrival. She remembered the OSU students and faculty from last year and was excited to see us again. She is 100 years old but danced the night away keeping all the students on their toes. This evening was insightful as we experienced how the Norwegian government ensures the safety and comfort of the elderly by providing housing for a reasonable cost. Osmorg+’s staff orchestrates many activities and encourages volunteers as well as visitors. They arrange for many young children to come and play within their community to keep the elderly engaged, mobile, and happy.  Osmorg+ is not a facility but a community and home to the residents.

Ohio State Nursing in Norway Group with Marie

Thanks for reading!

-Jalynn

Today we wrapped up our first week in Oslo, Norway by starting our day at Lovisenberg Omsorg+ which is a community for people age 65 and older.  We got right to work, with some of us donning an apron and heading to the kitchen to make traditional Norwegian waffles, while other students spent time with community member playing games, talking and shopping in a pop-up clothing shop.  In a recent post, you might recall an Omsorg+ community individual who sang a traditional Sami song on our last trip to Omsorg+. Today, he shared more information about the Sami, who are part of the indigenous population here in Norway. He showed us his traditional Sami “four winds” hat which is blue and has 4 points, each representing a different corner of the earth (the earliest Sami believed the earth to be square). The hat is filled with bird feathers and the outer brim is lined with wolf fur to aid in insulation. He offered his Sami flag to our group to take back to the United States.

The traditional Four Winds hat

Our Sami educator and myself with the Four Winds hat and the traditional Sami flag

We LOVE our Norwegian waffles!

Our hard at work chef nurses passing out traditional waffles to the residents!

The afternoon was filled with key informants who work in the community supporting vulnerable populations such as people living with HIV and AIDS as well as those involved in sex trafficking and prostitution. We learned that in Norway there are approximately 4,300 people living with HIV or AIDS  of which 50% are above age 50 years, and 40% are considered migrants.  Even there is a low percentage of people in this population, there are resources offered. For example,  Krikens Bymisjon center provides safe housing for those newly diagnosed with HIV. I found this to be one of the most informative pieces of information comparing PrEP availability in Norway versus the US. PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis and is used proactively to reduce the likelihood of a person contracting HIV in the event of an exposure. More information on PrEP and its usefulness can be found at the CDC website: ( https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep.html ). In Norway PrEP is available to all persons within the “risk zone” for free much like birth control in Norway; meanwhile in the US PrEP is often hard to afford, often costing upwards of $1,700.00 a month . While co-pay and supplemental coverage programs exist in the  US, they are not well known or shared with the population. This observation corresponds with the SDGS 10: reduced inequalities, as it reduces the barrier of care to those at risk for HIV infection through easier access to PrEP. Additionally, this itself promotes SDGS 3: good health and well-being; HIV testing is often a very anxiety provoking process, with the virus itself and the social stigma associated with the virusoften negatively impacting those living with HIV. By providing access to preventative medication less individuals are at risk for physiological or emotional distress related to HIV.

Our next key informant was through the Oslo Municipality’s service center via a video interview about those involved with sex trafficking and prostitution. The interview discussed current and former sex workers of all genders or sexual orientations and how they can be assisted with getting jobs other than prostitution, accessing food, education, and other funding. Typically, a person first comes to the center for STI testing or reproductive services and after a few visits they regularly come for a range in services from allergies to mental health services. Many individuals using this center have a migrant background. National policies may impact the level of resources available.

Heading into the weekend, some plan to head out of Oslo and into Bergen while others will be staying in Oslo to further immerse themselves in what the city has to offer!

Ha en fin helg!

May 22, 2023

We started off the day walking to our host university: Lovisenberg Diaconole University College (LDUC) where professor Clarisse Sifa Nsengi gave a lecture on urban health and social inequalities in health and marginalization. Our Urban Health class consisted of Norwegian students and our class and was taught completely in English from professor Clarisse Sifa Nsengi which English is her second language. The Norwegian students were informed that for today and the rest of the week the lectures would be taught completely in English since our class was there learning with them. This follows the sustainable developmental goal (SDG) #4: Quality Education which aims to, “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”. It follows target 4.7 in which students acquire knowledge and skills to promote their education to become a global citizen and promote cultural diversity. The Norwegian students learn English when they start elementary school all the way through secondary school. Professor Clasisse Sifa Nsengi’s lecture was completely in English and everyone followed along in the room with ease.

Outside Lovisenberg Diaconole University College (LDUC)

Clarisse Sifa Nsengi beginning her discussion on marginalization

Lunch with a view on the roof of Lovisenberg Diaconole University College (LDUC)

Lecture hall with a view of outside

Our Urban Health Community group left to right: Mai, Andrea (our Norwegian student), Darian, and Chelsea

Pre-Plunge! Little did we all know we would be jumping in 58-degree water from a 20-foot drop!

The Albatrossen: our plunge dock and sauna

View of the Norwegian Sea from the bottom dock

OSU students recreating Lydia Toivanen’s photograph: An innocent look

Today we had the opportunity to begin immersing ourselves into the community and culture through a walking windshield survey that our professors assigned. This is an opportunity to explore an unfamiliar community to get an idea about the population and the surrounding environment from a community health perspective. The events today highlight Sustainable Developmental Goal #3, “Good Health and Well-Being” and Goal #12, “Responsible Consumption and Production.”

Oslo is a city that upon observation supports health and well-being. On our walking windshield survey, we observed a large majority of individuals walking, riding bikes, using scooters, and even rollerblading. Sidewalks are large and bike paths are standard. Activities involve the whole family and we saw many people out for a stroll with their children and taking time to walk the trails. For a city, there was a great deal of green space with plenty of outdoor seating at restaurants. Fresh fruits and veggies were more clearly advertised than less healthy options. Many markets had the produce displayed in front of the store on the sidewalks.  Our walking windshield survey revealed that you did not have to walk far to find another green space with a patch of sunny grass, flowers and trees. At times, you might forget you were in a city as many people were noted leisurely picnicking and sunbathing on the grass within the abundant parks and taking time to socialize. It was refreshing to take this time to, quite literally, enjoy the flowers. We found ourselves walking all over the city with ease and it was a common feeling that the environment, exercise, and good food acted to boost our moods.

Many apartments overlooked trees and parks.

There are many ways Norwegians support sustainability and responsible consumption. For one, in Norway, you do not have to reach for a water bottle in a store or find filtered water. All the tap water is safe to drink and it is ensured to be held to high standards. Drinking tap water is the standard that makes access to clean water very accessible for all community members. In cafes and restaurants, you will find glasses and a tap to get water. Many individuals carry water bottles as well. This all contributes to fewer plastic bottles being wasted. They also utilize resale and flea markets. We came across a large flea market that was selling all sorts of goods, some of which were previously owned or recycled. By refurbishing, reusing, and providing opportunities to buy used items, they help discourage waste and the discard of items. Many people were partaking in the flea market and we had an opportunity to peruse the various tables. Another unique way we discovered sustainability is through pebbles noted on their walkways. This seems unusual, but Ms. Jenssen informed us that they lay pebbles out on the walkways in the winter to help prevent people from slipping and then collect and clean them in the summer before putting them out again in the late autumn. We thought this was a very unique and advantageous practice in comparison to our typical use of salt.

Fresh fruits and veggies out on the sidewalks and a monthly flea market we bumped into.

A green house on the harbor.

Overall, through our walking windshield survey, we had a great time immersing ourselves in the culture and a typical day of an Oslo resident on a Sunday afternoon. We’re looking forward to the remaining adventures and learning opportunities!

XOXO –  Nursing in Norway 2023

While some began immersing themselves in Norwegian culture a day or two early, many of us arrived today in Oslo, which is found in eastern Norway. Our host university, where we will be completing our community health clinical, is Lovisenberg Diaconole University College. Those who arrived a few hours early took a stroll in a local park and noticed many recycling bins throughout. This follows closely with the sustainable development goal (SDG) #11 “Sustainable Cities and Communities”, which focuses on making cities sustainable and resilient in many ways, one being through solid waste management. Many people were enjoying the weather and walking their dogs. (One student even met another Westie, who looked almost identical to her four-legged friend back home.) After our walk, we went to a local cafe and noticed that all cafes provide self-serve tap water and glass cups. Providing clean water in a majority of their restaurants and cafès closely relates to SDG #6 “Clean Water and Sanitation”, which increases the availability of clean water.

Shortly after everyone arrived and settled in, we met up with a few of the nursing students from Oslo and our university host, Ms. Unni Jenssen. Once everyone was accounted for, we began our first of many walks through the city because the weather was beautiful! Walking the city felt relaxing and strangely quiet despite the amount of people around. We started our walk through Palace Park (Slottsparken) and went right past the Royal Palace (Det kongelige slott). 

During our walk, we spent time admiring Oslo’s beauty and cleanliness. It was surprising to see no traces of garbage or litter, especially after a major Norwegian holiday (Constitution Day on May 17th). The faculty discussed that trash remnants of the celebration were completely cleaned less than a day later. This also conveys SDG #11 through efficient waste management to maintain a clean and sustainable city. It was also interesting to see a few of the Norwegian females still wearing their “Bunad,” or traditional Norwegian folk costume, while walking the streets. 

We continued our walk until reaching a popular “House of Oslo Street Food”, which is where we would stop for dinner. The building had a variety of food vendors and options, but what really stuck out was the use of all wooden utensils, glassware, paper products, many recycling bins, and so much more. These are some of the many ways we see Norwegians care for the environment and their capital. These all follow SDG #12 “Responsible Consumption and Production”, especially the use of wooden utensils and glassware (over plastic), which ensures sustainable production and consumption patterns. After dinner, we hopped on a local bus to go back to our hotel.

Hallo!

There is a lot of excitement at the Ohio State University (OSU) as the graduate entry nursing students are preparing to be on location at Lovisenberg Diaconal University College (LDUC) and surrounding area in Oslo, Norway for 2 weeks this summer.  The students will be completing clinical hours for their Community Health Nursing class with faculty from OSU and LDUC, as well as students from LDUC.  They are learning to be community health nurses and global citizens.

We invite you over the next two weeks to follow our students blog and learn about the Sustainable Development Goals.

“Ha en fin flytur” (have a safe flight),

XOXO Nursing in Norway 2023

Drs. Jeanie Bochenek & Tracy Taylor (OSU Nursing Faculty)