Hello and welcome back to our blog!!
The Norway mornings are calm and the cool air is incredibly refreshing. I have been enjoying starting my days off with a stroll with one of my classmates. We go in a new direction each day and love exploring the roads around our hotel. Within just a block, we often see locals sipping on their morning “kaffe” at a coffee shop, biking to work, on the tram, or even out on a morning run. It is unique to observe and take part in practicing intentional leisure in the mornings as opposed to hurriedly getting ready and running out the door with breakfast in hand.
Here is a funny picture I took while waiting for my morning walking buddy, Ashleigh, in the lobby of our hotel!
Here’s a picture of my typical breakfast in Norway!
After our morning walk and breakfast, we made our way to LDUC (the university that we are working with) and attended some lectures. Today’s topic was about individuals who experience homelessness & who use drugs. The lecture that stood out to me the most was presented by a woman named Josefina who is a project coordinator from Sweden. She works with women who are victims of domestic violence as well as those who are or have experienced homelessness. Her presentation focused on sharing the stories of those with whom she works and her objective was to give these women a voice in order to reduce inequalities (SDG Goal #5 and 10). In her practical setting, these women are often “in hiding” or don’t speak up because they are not believed, they are viewed as “outsiders,” and are ostracized from society. With a plethora of personal examples, stories, and quotes from these women, Josefina was able to convey a very special message that left the room a bit teary-eyed. As health care providers, it is our duty to believe our patients when they tell us stories, to sit and listen to them, to treat them with respect, and most importantly to treat them with empathy. Many of these stories emphasized the idea that empathy is a universal language that we can all take part in on a daily basis. The impact that this idea held while being in an auditorium with students and faculty from all over the world is something that I will carry with me for many years to come in both my personal and professional life.
Here’s a picture of Josefina during her impactful lecture!
We had the chance to share some of our own Buckeye Wellness with the group during our professor’s lectures and we got comments from many students afterward with big smiles on their faces telling us how much they admired our school spirit! (Go Bucks!!)
Here’s a picture of some OH-IO smiles!
Following all of the presentations and lunch, we had time to work with our mixed Norway-America groups for our community health project. This time is so much fun because while we do our group work for our project, we get to chat about everything from healthcare systems to mashed potatoes with our Norwegian students. This time is truly where the international exchange comes to life – we laugh, share stories about our experiences, and simply enjoy the company of our new Norwegian friends!
After a long day full of lectures and projects, we attended an international dinner put on by LDUC. This was another chance to connect with international students while sharing a meal.
While the days are long, the smiles are big, the laughs are abundant, and the new experiences and learning opportunities are never-ending! We can’t wait to continue sharing about our time here in Norway with you all!!
Thanks for reading!
Priya