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!

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