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The final day of our two-week journey in Oslo, Norway has come and gone, and we ended with a bang! Today we presented our final Community Health projects alongside our Norwegian counterparts at LDUC. This global health education has helped to reinforce our nursing goals and provide the foundation to becoming active participants in health policy changes at home. Identifying a priority health problem in Oslo and evaluating it through a nursing lens, as it related to the Community Health course, meets the target for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #17, Partnerships for the Goals. Target 17.15 states the following: “Respect each country’s policy space and leadership to establish and implement policies for poverty eradication and sustainable development.”

The Ohio State University students posed alongside the Norwegian students on the rooftop terrace of LDUC.

As we reflect on our experiences during our final day in Norway, there are many ways that we have practiced both individual growths as global professionals and flourished as a clinical group. Though nearly everyone in Norway can communicate in English, navigation required utilization of different resources. After spending some time adjusting to the local transportation, we became sophisticated riders taking the tram to clinical locations, day trip activities, and everything in between – unless getting in our steps, of course! With students tracking between 5-10 miles a day on their step trackers, wearing comfortable sneakers in Norway is an absolute must.

Both critical thinking and healthy habits are important concepts to bring back home! SDG #3, target 3.6 asks that we halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all. Such use of passenger travel accommodations and/or mechanism of walking equates to less vehicles on the road. Additionally, public transportation innovations relate to the aim (SDG #9) to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. Under target 9.1 [developing quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all], Norwegian citizens can utilize the all-season, electric powered transportation for commuting purposes. We had nice discussions about these aspects of our journey during our last dinner together at The Salmon.

Students enjoy a post dinner walk along the boardwalk and take in scenes of waves, sail boats, and the setting sun!

Norwegian cold coastal waters provide the perfect conditions for year-round production of high quality salmon.

Some aspects of community nursing that were important to our education in Norway included being proactive about ensuring that people have quality preventative healthcare, rather than reacting to illness. Also, we learned how to slow down and enjoy quality aspects of life such as fresh air, hydration, green spaces, and mindfulness. The patient population that we will care for deserves this type of therapeutic approach that Norwegians have mastered. During the long flights back home, we can hopefully consider how to incorporate such lessons into future practice as nurses and future advanced practice providers.

Students arrive back in Columbus, Ohio after two weeks in Oslo, Norway. A long travel time back allowed for plenty of reflection on the Nursing in Norway experience.

We are so grateful for this experience and hope that you enjoyed following along! “Goodbye / ha det” for now!

Today was our last day of clinical in Oslo. My clinical placement was at FACT Gamle Oslo. FACT is a Flexible Assertive Community Treatment center that aids individuals experiencing severe mental health conditions as well as comorbid substance abuse, homelessness, and trauma. Using the ACT model which was started in the United States, The FACT team goes meets with patients in their homes or treatment facilities. Here they provide mental health services and essential medications free of cost to the patients. These services lend to SDG #3 Good Health and Wellbeing as they support the whole person which includes mental health.

The FACT team travels primarily by e-bike or walking as they visit their patients. I got the opportunity to accompany the team on several assessment sessions in the community. This method of transportation is not only environmentally friendly, but it allows the providers to get exercise and fresh air in between visits which supports SDG #3 Good Health and Wellbeing, #11 Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, and #12 Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. Members of the FACT team explained that biking and walking to their appointments also helps them to maintain energy and mood throughout the day.

Today also marked the first day of Pride Month. The students of LDUC decorated the college and had a celebratory barbeque with hot dogs and ice cream. The celebration of Pride month reinforces SDG #5 Gender Equality, and #16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

By celebrating and openly accepting individual differences, we create inclusive and safe spaces. It was wonderful to see everyone come together to spread love!

Signing off…..xoxo Norway!

Hallo!!!!

Today was a beautiful day here in Oslo, where all students were in clinical experiences spread out across the city. At one nursing home, on the locked dementia ward, we observed the residents enjoying some fresh air and a concert from the local elementary school’s choir. The residents all gathered outside, most in wheelchairs, and appeared to enjoy the music and the emotion and love could be felt throughout the establishment.

This concert promotes SDG goal #3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The residents of this facility are all part of the geriatric population, and they were able to have a refreshing experience that stimulated their brains and made them happy.

We also found an outside gym at this facility and the nursing students explained to us that the physical therapists use it with the patients to do exercises and get fresh air at the same time, how great! This promotes SDG goal #11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. This outdoor space makes it easy for patients to get in their exercise while decreasing heavy exercise machinery use indoors.

Overall, this was a lovely day where we were able to see many interesting similarities and differences between the Norwegian and US health care systems. We were each paired with a Norwegian student, and we were welcomed with open arms and learned an incredible amount about their approach to quality patient care!

Signing off from Oslo!!

Today was our first official clinical day at Lovisenberg Omsorg+ which started off with a tour acquainting us the community.  The facility’s mission statement is “Thoughtful Solutions and Quality at all Levels” which is evident in the purposeful social activities and programs that community members can engage in. One thing that I found very interesting is the “Dagaktivitet” which means Daytime Activity Room. Here the community members can relax and enjoy fresh air and sunlight while socializing. This room offers vibrant colors and a space for gardening which the community thoroughly enjoys. We spent the morning socializing, reminiscing and with those in the daytime activity room while they enjoyed their morning coffee, practiced their English with us, explored the garden, solar fountain pump and the great views from the roof. Norway does a great job at implementing SDG #11 “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”. gardening initiatives such as urban gardening and rooftop gardening helps to contribute to the creating sustainability for the country. This can help to improve the urban ecosystem, enhance air quality, and reduce the heat island effect.  Gardening also fosters community engagement, social cohesion, and a sense of belong for all. The residences at Lovisenberg Osmorg+ thoroughly enjoys gardening as it is a way for them to socialize not only among themselves but also with the environment.

        We are excited to be here today!                                   Solar Water Fountain.

            Daytime Activity Room                   View from the roof of Omsorg+

                                          Beautiful Gardening for Omsorg+ Residence

We accompanied the Osmorg+ community members to the Generation Song event at Lovisenberg church. Parents alongside their infants hosted a family choir concert and invited the Osmorg+ community to join and sing along with them. Norway does a great job of implementing the Sustainable Development Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages  (Government.no, 2016). SDG #3 is crucial as it promotes well-being and works to reduce inequalities worldwide. Norway also actively promotes SDG#3 by offering comprehensive universal healthcare, reducing maternal and child mortality rates, participating in global efforts to prevent and control diseases and encouraging health education and promotion across the lifespan. Today at Omsorg+ meeting the SDG#3 goal was evident throughout the day as many of the purposeful activities promoted mental health and well-being for not only the infant-preschooler population but also the college students, staff, and the elder population in attendance.

Today’s family choir events!!

Lovisenberg Church                                   Omsorg+ members, parents and infants gathering for the event

Individuals of all ages participating and singing along

Affairs, M. of F. (n.d.). Norway’s follow-up of agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. Government.no. https://www.regjeringen.no/en/dokumenter/follow-up-sdg2/id2507259/

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!

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

Dear Readers,

It’s not difficult to tell that we have all had a jam-packed schedule since we touched down in Norway. It has been a full week of bouncing from one amazing learning experience after the next. We are also very excited to have a couple of days to explore the city at our own pace as we approach the weekend!

Today, some of us embarked on a 2-hour cruise of Oslo’s fjord on board the SS Helena, a 101-foot-long sailboat that was built in the year 1947 and was used as a fishing boat until the 1980s.

As we listened to the waves lapping against the hull of the boat, we were treated with a view of the Oslo Opera House, the Munch Museum (more on that later), and other landmarks of Aker Brygge (downtown/harbor area), as well as some sights that were a bit farther out on the water. These included a former Norway Navigational School, countless picturesque summer homes, a former airport strip from the 1820s, and an island that was inhabited by Cistercian Monks during the Middle Ages! The monks who lived on the island of Hovedøya followed a strict doctrine that forbade them from being asleep during hours of daylight. Given that it is light for almost 24 hours a day in the peak of the summer here in Oslo, the monks had themselves a problem. They eventually appealed to the Pope to have their doctrine changed, and this change came to be known as the Scandinavian Exception. The boat tour was a truly enriching yet serene experience that I will not forget.

After the boat tour, some of us headed to Barcode Street Food to eat dinner near the harbor. I have noticed that Oslo is home to an immense variety of food from cultures all around the globe. There are also quite a few “food halls” like Barcode and Oslo Street Food (where we ate last week), which have many different vendors and a food option for everybody! Also, there were recycling stations all around the food hall! Oslo supports sustainable development goal #12, Responsible Consumption and Production, by offering a variety of recycling and composting sites.

With full bellies and persisting creative appetites, some of us visited the aforementioned Edvard Munch Museum to get our artistic fix. We walked around the 13-story building and looked at works by Edvard Munch, the Norwegian painter who is most famous for his painting, “The Scream.” The most interesting exhibit to me was the “Solen” room, filled with massive paintings that were commissioned by Oslo University in the early 1900s as a backdrop for the school’s Hall of Ceremonies. I could not believe the scale of the paintings in this room. They towered over any person who walked up to view them! There was also an interactive exhibit in which you could walk through a floor plan of Munch’s home and learn more about his life while looking at objects that he actually owned and used. This museum is an example of how Oslo adheres to sustainable development goal #4, Quality Education. The Munch Museum is one of MANY museums in Oslo that are not only educational but offer discounts to students and other population groups. The museum was well worth the visit!

Stay tuned for more updates from Norway!

Thanks for checking in,

Rich

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!

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

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.