Danish nursing student praises UiS and Stavanger after exchange

Anna Julie la Cour Vågen chose Stavanger as her destination when she was going on exchange in her fourth semester. The student enjoyed herself so much that she already has plans for another stay at UiS in the sixth semester.

Published Updated on

“I enjoyed myself so much in Stavanger that I want to move here in the future. I therefore hope that I can return to practice again in the sixth semester, get more time in the city and learn more about the health system. I also like that UiS has many opportunities for further education after completing the bachelor's degree in nursing,” says Vågen.

The stay has also improved her Norwegian language skills. She grew up with a Norwegian father and therefore has a lot of family in Norway. In Denmark, the exchange student lives in Klitmøller, which is a small coastal town. The largest town nearby is Thisted, which is also the town where she studies and where the hospital she is affiliated with is located. Vågen is originally from Copenhagen, but has also lived in California for four years.

Impressed by the variety of leisure activities

Kvinne på fjelltur
Anna Julie la Cour Vågen made use of many of the opportunities that nature in Stavanger and the surrounding area has to offer. Photo: private

She loves surfing, hiking and skiing, which also contributed to her choice of Stavanger. The information provided by UiS before she arrived was good, and it was also possible to live in a dormitory near the university. However, Vågen chose to live with a Norwegian couple whom she did not know beforehand.

“A friend from Stavanger whom I met in connection with surfing in Denmark knew them and put me in touch. We became very good friends, and they will visit me in Denmark this summer,” she says.

Which tourist activities have you participated in during your exchange stay?

“I have been in the center of Stavanger and went for walks, shopped and ate in restaurants. I have been out surfing on the coast of Jæren on beautiful beaches. I have gone on many mountain hikes: Ramnstoknuten, Dalsnuten, Skjørestadfjellet, Bjørndalsfjellet and several others. I have skied at Ådneram with many nice and funny Norwegians who were very good at skiing and snowboarding. I have eaten fresh salmon that an acquaintance had caught this summer and frozen, I have met new friends, gone for walks at Ølberg, been to the surfing festival at Boretunet, been to the cinema and have mostly enjoyed everything Stavanger and its surroundings have to offer,” answers Vågen.

Sykepleierstudent i uniform
The internship period at Sola Home Nursing was educational and motivating. Photo: private

Instructive and motivating internship period

On the first day of the internship, the exchange student was given a tour of the university and then went to her internship location - Sola Hjemmesykepleie. Her supervisor was pleasant and good at teaching her knowledge.

“It was a pleasure to be with her during my internship. I was very inspired by her compassion and her patience with the residents that we visited. I also had the opportunity to be independent and try many different tasks. Examples of this are giving insulin, measuring blood sugar and helping residents in the morning or evening. I also managed to have a good relationship with many of the people I was at home with,” says Vågen.

What are the most significant differences between being a nurse in Norway and Denmark?

“There are many similarities, but I did see that the nurses I met in Norway are more satisfied with their work. I saw better working conditions, better pay and better time. All in all, something I hope Denmark also gets one day. At many internships in Denmark, I have met nurses who often talk about how they do not enjoy their job, are stressed and are not satisfied with pay and working hours. It is sad to hear that they feel this way, and also demotivating when you are in practice as a nursing student. That is why it was pleasant, refreshing and inspiring to meet nurses here in Norway who seemed satisfied with their work,” says Vågen in conclusion.

Text: Eigil Kloster Osmundsen

Sauer i natur

The exchange student thrived in nature. Photo: private

Skisenter

She also had time to experience Sirdal. Photo: private

Surfebrett på strand

Surfing on Jæren also struck a chord. Photo: private

Strand

One of several beaches that Vågen visited. Photo: private

Fjell og fjord

One of many photos taken on mountain trips. Photo: private

Read more about exchange

Admission regulations for Outdoor Education Studies

The admission process for Outdoor Education is guided by regulations decided in 2021.

Erasmus+ visit from An-Najah National University

The Faculty of Arts and Education hosted a visit by a group of academic and administrative staff from An-Najah National ...

"A whole new and different world"

When Zeina Ousamah Jaber (20) of Palestine arrived to study at the University of Stavanger in 2016, she came to a grey a...

Admission regulations for Comparative Educational Studies

The admission process for Comparative Educational Studies is guided by regulations decided in 2021.

Useful information for inbound exchange and internship students after starting your studies at UiS

You have now registered your IT account and signed up for courses. Here are some useful information about your stay here...

How to apply to UNIS - Inbound exchange students

You can apply to study at UNIS Svalbard if you are nominated for an exchange period at University of Stavanger (UiS).

Opening doors to the future

Ma'alii Hamzeh (20) takes a breath of air and looks around. The Drama room at An-Najah National University in Nablus is ...

Drama and theatre Communication in an Intercultural Context

Drama and Intercultural Communication is a course with academic founded on the performing arts and pedagogy. The course’...

Outdoor Education Studies

Join us for a unique natural experience and get an insight into Norwegian Outdoor Life and physical education.

Courses offered to inbound exchange students

The University of Stavanger offers a broad range of single courses for exchange students.

Practical information for incoming international students

Find practical information for international students coming to the University of Stavanger for semester exchange or a f...

Visa and Study Permit

Learn about the visa and study permit process for international students coming to Norway.

Scholarships and Costs

When you move to a new country it is difficult to know the cost of living and how long your money will last. Information...

Comparative Educational Studies

Comparative Educational Studies is a spring semester course offered to international students. The target group is kinde...

Nomination guide for partner institutions

All inbound exchange and internship students must be nominated by their home institutions before coming to University of...

Academic calendar

Official semester dates at University of Stavanger.

Application guide for inbound exchange students

If your home institution has an agreement with the UiS, you are welcome to apply as an exchange student. Without a bilat...

International advisors for health professions

Senior Adviser
51833060
Division of Education
Department of Academic Affairs
International Office
Professor
51834171
Faculty of Health Sciences
Department of Quality and Health Technology