Today we started off the morning meeting with some of the Nurses who work for “Sykepleie På Hjul” or “Nurses on Wheels”. They travel by van and provide active addicts with clean supplies for using, while focusing on damage reduction. This morning, we explored the van they drive around in, which carries all of their supplies and materials required to help this population. A major health concern for this population is infection, so these nurses provide sterile equipment such as needles, syringes, filters, and pipes for them to use. They also provide wound care for those that need it and can make referrals to hospitals for those that need more acute care. Additionally, they provide a safe place for them to dispose of their needles after use. The nurses estimate they get back 70% of the needles they give out. It was obvious these nurses were passionate about what they do and care for those they take care of. They discussed with us how this population receives a lot of stigma and degrading from most everyone else and they want to make sure they provide a safe, judgment-free space for them to help them with harm reduction. We felt this organization directly correlates to the good health and well-being Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) since they are providing health care services to those who are oftentimes neglected and are actively working on harm reduction for this community. We were so thankful for this opportunity to interact and ask questions with these nurses!

Once we finished learning about the Nurses on wheels outreach, we headed to the Norwegian Folk Museum to learn more about Norway’s cultural history. Here they had multiple exhibits that dated back to the 1500’s. We were able to see traditional folk clothing, art and explore rural homes that used to serve as farmsteads. We also got to learn more about the Sami, who are indigenous people that have a rich history throughout Norway. Once we finished at the museum, we went to explore a local National Park in Oslo known as Dronningberget. We got to see the beautiful scenery outside of the city center and explore the local coastlines.

Hannah Hetman-Maiden, Kaytlynn Begley & Olivia Young

Today we traveled to our clinical practice placements at Cathinka Guldberg Senteret, which is one of the main nursing homes here in Oslo, Norway. We each met with our students who explained the placement of patients in nursing homes in Norway. They expressed that there are many patients who are on waitlists for placement and receive at home healthcare while they wait to get beds in their facilities. They prioritize the health and wellness of all Norwegian of citizens regardless of age which embodies the sustainable development goal #3 “Good health and well-being.” This is demonstrated through the access that the aging population at this facility has to a recreation center. Monday through Friday they have designated “gym time” where they host exercise classes for the patients to participate in. They also offer swimming and have days where community members can bring their babies and patients can enjoy the company of these new lives. All of these resources prevent feelings of loneliness and provide patients with a sense of community and a way to socialize with those around them.

After clinical practice we ventured out to a local burger restaurant called “Troy” which came highly recommended by the Norwegian students. We ordered different burgers and shared parmesan fries amongst everyone who joined us. After lunch, we worked on some schoolwork and waited to meet with the COIL students in the United States. Here we had a case study which focused on the topic of homelessness which we later discussed in small groups. After we finished our conversations, we all met to walk to a Sauna which was located right on the water. We learned a traditional Norwegian dive and rotated in and out of the water to the Sauna. We enjoyed our time to build community with the students and continue to foster our relationships!

Today we all arrived in Oslo, Norway where we will be partnering with students and faculty from Lovisenberg Diaconal University College. After arriving at the Oslo, Airport we bought tickets to take the train further into the city. Oslo offers numerous forms of public transportation such as trains, trams or ferries which embodies the sustainable developmental goal #9 “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.”

After taking the train, we dropped off our bags and planned to meet at “Oslo Street Food” for dinner with some of the students from Lovisenberg. Inside there was an assortment of food stalls that offered food from a variety of different cultural backgrounds, which allowed you to mix and match foods from the different vendors. Once we received our food, we noticed that it was all served in recyclable bowls/trays and with wooden silverware. In Oslo their focus on reducing waste and having sustainable options when eating was obvious and aligns perfectly with the sustainable developmental goal #12 of “Responsible Consumption and Production.”

After dinner we walked around noticed the number of green spaces/parks and outdoor activities around us. Many people were riding bicycles or electric scooters, while others simply walked around to enjoy the fresh or took their pets for an outing. We look forward to exploring more of Oslo soon!