Today was a whirlwind—a chilly, sniffly, utterly Norwegian kind of day during my study abroad journey in the breathtaking Oslo, Norway. What started as a hopeful and academically stimulating afternoon at Lovisenberg University quickly turned into a personal quest for cold relief, vitamin C, and rest. Shortly after arriving at the charming university nestled in the heart of the city, I started to feel that all-too-familiar scratchy sensation in my throat. My head felt heavy, my energy drained, and despite the crisp, invigorating Nordic air, I knew I was developing a cold. Determined to tackle it early, I left campus and set out on foot to the Arotek pharmacy. After navigating aisles of unfamiliar packaging, I asked for help before purchasing some cold medicine, cough drops, and vitamin C, all of which cost more than what I’m used to back in Ohio, from my personal experience.
I retraced my steps back to school, medicine in hand, but it became clear that my condition was only worsening. My body was begging for rest, so I made the reluctant decision to head home to our hotel. The walk to the tram station was a brisk 10 minutes through Oslo’s cobblestone-lined streets, followed by a peaceful 10-minute tram ride. After another short two-minute walk from the tram stop, I arrived back at the hotel. I took another dose of medication, pulled the blackout curtains, and collapsed into bed, where I slept deeply for the next four hours. I felt as though my afternoon correlated directly with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, “Good Health and Well-Being”, in that it highlighted both personal health challenges and the importance of accessible, responsive healthcare while abroad. My experience with developing a cold in a foreign country underscores the need for timely access to healthcare services, affordable medications, and the role of public health infrastructure.
By the time I woke up, the rest of our group had returned from the day’s lectures, full of stories and memories that I had missed. Although I still felt under the weather, I rallied, because this evening’s activity was one, I couldn’t miss. I quickly got dressed, bundled up against the chill, and joined the other nine students for a unique Nordic experience: a sauna on the fjord. Even in the midst of a cold, Norway is full of warmth.
