Category: Aging Globally

Victoria Sande, OT student from OsloMet, shares her experiences of Aging Globally 2022.

Aging Globally is an international course that explores how the health and care systems in Canada and Norway addresses aging and health. The course is a collaboration between OsloMet and Western University (WU), Canada. Health studies students from WU and OT, nursing and technology students from OsloMet will participate in 2023.

The course begins in January with online learning, with students collaborating on a virtual visit to Alma’s House and a case study. Alma’s house is an apartment with many innovative technologies designed to make life easier for people with dementia. In May, Canadian students visit Oslo as the first stop in a Scandinavian tour. During their time in Oslo, Canadian and Norwegian students take part in a two-day innovation camp at OsloMet and visit Alma’s house in Oslo. This is followed by a study tour to Stockholm and Copenhagen, which provides opportunities to learn about the healthcare system in Denmark and Sweden. OsloMet OT students are invited to join the Scandinavian tour.

5 good things about the course:

1. I really enjoyed the online-lectures where professors from Canada and Norway presented their research in 15 minute slots. I will never forget the lecture about palliative care in Guinea, West Africa, during the 2013-16 Ebola outbreak
2. It was interesting to see how Canadian students actively participate in lectures and in tutorials, asking questions and sharing perspectives on different issues. Canadian students are assessed on participation in class, which may explain why they are more active, compared to Norwegian students.
3. In Aging Globally we worked in teams and used different methods to share our findings or pitch our ideas– for example infographic posters or videos. We reviewed the work of different teams, presented to each other on zoom and answered questions. Students can pick up useful communication and presentation skills by taking part in Aging globally, and these can be used in your studies or in your working life.
4. We learn about the Canadian healthcare system and deepened our knowledge about the Norwegian healthcare system, for example how the different systems are financed and how you can access assistive technology.
5. It was great when we met the Canadian students in real life, when they came to Oslo as part of a two-day innovation camp. We were invited to visit Alma’s house with them. We also worked on a global challenge, which in 2022 was to come up with a solution to mitigate potential hearing loss in the future. Teams were creative in using roleplay, acting and film to share their ideas –  fashion earplugs, apps to measure noise levels and innovative soundproofing solutions were just some of the ideas that were put forward. Creativity flowed and at the same time the atmosphere was relaxed. There were opportunities for Norwegian and Canadian students to meet informally during lunch and evening activities.

Don’t just take it from me, here are some quotes from other Norwegian students that participated in the course.

It was both exciting and challenging to work together over Zoom and explain the Norwegian welfare system in English. We saw the Norwegian system through Canadian eyes and, in doing so, gained a whole new perspective. The Nordic tour was the highlight of 2022 for me with a packed programme consisting of study visits, museums, good food and late evenings. Norwegian and Canadian students  got to know each other over a short period of time and I’m still in contact with a number of participants from Canada.

Aging Globally was worthwhile in investing my time and efforts. It was very interesting to learn about the Canadian health system, gaining insights and new perspectives. Even though I could not participate in the whole schedule of The Nordic tour, I joined the Sweden tour to see the similarities and differences between Norway and Sweden. Strongly recommend it to other students for joyful memory and learning experience!