Study Tour (Western Denmark)

This whole weekend was dedicated to our (the nursing classes) study tour to Western Denmark. We visited the cities of Arhus and Silkeborg. On our first day, Lenard, our bus driver for the trip, took us to lunch at this cute little place called Aros cafe which was conveniently inside the AROS museum. Our group was visiting the exhibit specifically focused on desire, romance, power, sex, pain, passion, and hate. Ironically, or not so ironic, the exhibit was called I Love You. 39 international artists art work were featured in this museum and the multi-facets of love were examined and interpreted by each.

Each piece of art was interesting because "love" can be portrayed by so many people as so many different things, so some works of art were cliche, while others discussed the materialistic side, the political side, the sacrafice and burden that comes with love, love vs. hate, and death and love. This was probably my favorite part of the "academic" visits on the entire trip.

After the AROS museum, our group went to the Danhostel in Arhus and a group dinner at Restaurant Stedet followed where we were fed traditional Danish food once again.

Bed early for another early start at 7:30 am. Breakfast was great (fresh yogurt and fruit) and coffee, plus the freshest breads and jams. After our departure, the group headed to Ward Y at Skejby Hospital in Arhus where we visited the gynecology-obstetrics department. Here we were able to talk with current nursing students to learn the differences in our curriculum's and also in the way we care for our patients. For example, the nursing students in Denmark have a section of class only for 2-5months and then clinical practice for 1-5months only. This is different to the US, where the nursing students have an integration of both didactic and clinical at once.

After lunch in Skejby hospital's cantina (cafeteria), we departed for Hammel neurocenter, which is a highly specialized neuro-rehabilitation hospital who focuses on brain damaged patients from across Western Denmark. This hospital treats about 700 patients annually. Their philosophy on incorporating nature and focusing on the strengths of the patient were common values that I came to notice throughout health care in Western Denmark.

Once our day visits were done we traveled to Silkeborg, where our second hostel was located. After getting to our rooms, we went canoeing on the Silkeborg Lakes. This was a funny experience. I was with Emily, who is not a "canoer" and for the first 20 minutes or so we literally were just going back and forth from one shore to the other, where I would then have to turn us around haha. It was probably a funny sight. Once I explained more about how to do and, we were pros! We had fun, and it was semi relaxing. I love being on the water. The two of us were serenaded by our Hong Kong friend, Nathan. He said "Total Eclipse of the Heart" as his boat went canoeing past us on the river.

Dinner back at the hostel and a bonfire with banana boats and dough sticks were an awesome way to cap off the night. It also helped that some of us played volleyball and needless to say, the girls team won. Easy :)

While falling asleep, 6 of us in our little private room had the best talk about some personal life experiences. It was so great to be able to know that you have shared sad, but also great life experiences with people from both across the US and across the globe. Thanks for a great night Jess, Em, Molly, and Christine.

Breakfast the next morning was again, so good. I think that breakfast has become my favorite meal of the day even more, if possible, since being here. We departed the hostel for the Risskov Psychiatric Hospital back in Arhus city. We split up and visited different wards that focused on specialties. My group visited the psychosis ward, which has patients that suffer mainly form schizophrenia. After our individual tour we regrouped and we able to ask all of the nurses from each ward questions. The building was located on beautiful grounds right near the cost. The wards were painted with bright colors and had natural lighting with fresh air coming in from all of the windows. The patients who were awarded outside privileges could use the courtyard and see the water. There were multiple "community" areas on each ward that contained books, exercise equipment, television, etc. Each patient also had an individual room. The nurses expressed values such as support, strength, nature, and art that are all important to each of them in the care they give to their patients. An art museum filled with patient's art work is on the grounds and the public as well as the patients can go visit the museum. This was such a different interpretation of psych patients than in the US. It was a nice and better interpretation as well, in my opinion.

For lunch, a few of us girls went to the Risskov cafe, which is a little place located on the hospital grounds where psych patient's work to make money for themselves while taking part in treatment. This, I think, is a novel idea:) Clearly maintaining autonomy is a key part of getting well and staying healthy both physically, mentally, and spiritually.

After lunch the group visited the Dansk Sygeplejehistorisk Museet (Danish Nursing Museum) in Kolding. This museum was an old tuberculosis hospital almost 100 years ago.

The entire 3-day trip ended with Danish ice cream and guf.

While pictures were taken from this trip (non by me) I will have to wait until I have access to put them up. In the mean time, enjoy pictures of the Case group from Cleveland at a bakery enjoying the Wednesday snail special (iced Cinnamon rolls for only 12 kroner)! and from my Saturday window shopping adventure with hot chocolate from Beresso (where we met Kelsey, another American student in DIS:) and also from ice cream on the canal.

Hej Hej