Report on 沙巴体育 Student Exchange Program in Stavanger, Norway

The two students of Semester VIII BSc Nursing from 沙巴体育 College of Nursing, MAHE, 沙巴体育, received the incredible opportunity to participate in the Student Mobility Programme between 沙巴体育 Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), India, and the University of Stavanger, Norway, as part of internship. This exchange was funded by Erasmus Plus—a European Union initiative that supports education, training, youth, and sports across Europe. It promotes mobility and collaboration between institutions and individuals from partner countries. Through this program, we were able to immerse ourselves deeply in the Norwegian healthcare system for 60 days with the collaborative support of Professor Ingrid, Professor Bodil from the University of Stavanger, Norway and Dr Shashidhara YN, Professor and Head Department of Community Health Nursing, MAHE and Dr Judith A Noronha, Dean 沙巴体育 College of Nursing, MAHE.

Ms Sheroan D'Souza and Ms Neha Sreekumar, students of MCON, were fortunate to have a two-month clinical placement from 6th April to 7th June 2025, which included one month in a homecare setting and another in a hospital environment. During the first month, students were placed in the homecare setting in Randaberg, a municipality near Stavanger with a population of around 11,671, and at Lura bo-og aktivitetssenter, which serves a population of approximately 8,605. One student was placed in Randaberg, where we were divided equally among nurses Hanne Hagen, Madeleine Kallevik Aske, and Anne Merethe M?land, while the other student assigned to Lura was under the guidance of Nurse Farzana, Katarzyna Anna Kawala, and Professor Janne Gabrielle.

Homecare in Norway plays a central role in its decentralized, publicly funded healthcare model. The emphasis is on helping individuals—particularly the elderly, those with chronic conditions, or recovering patients—maintain independence in their own homes. Local municipalities assess needs and tailor services such as assistance with daily activities (bathing, dressing, meals, medication), along with medical follow-ups, rehabilitation, or palliative care provided by trained professionals. Students were especially impressed by how well technology was integrated—devices like medication dispensers and?mobility aids helped clients maintain autonomy and improved their quality of life. Homecare nurses served as a critical link between the clients and the broader healthcare system.

Norway’s healthcare system, built on the principles of universal access and equity, stood out for its patient-centric approach and well-structured services. From the outset, Students observed how systematically the system is organized to deliver holistic care while emphasizing illness prevention and health promotion.

Beyond the clinical exposure, students had unforgettable memories—building friendships and exploring Norway’s breathtaking landscapes. This program broadened their professional understanding as aspiring nurses and deepened our appreciation for the multicultural richness of Europe. This experience is linked to SDG 3, good health and wellbeing, SDG 4, quality education and SDG 17 partnership goals.

Students express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Judith A. Noronha, Dean, and Dr. Shashidhara Y.N., Head of the Department of Community Health Nursing, and 沙巴体育 College of Nursing MAHE and Professor Ingrid and Professor Bodil, Mrs Magdalena from the University of Stavanger, Norway for their trust and continuous support. This is possible only because of strong collaboration, encouragement made this transformative exchange experience for MAHE students.