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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

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)

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