We began our day at the Akershus University Hospital, where we met with Dr. Signe Søvik (anesthesiologist and St. Olaf. alumni). We discussed at length the impact of gender in health professions, and how gender appears in providing individualized medical services. As Norway has mostly state-financed education and health care institutions, it was fascinating to learn and compare the inclusive, nationalized health care system of Norway to the US’s privatized health care system.
Around 3:00pm, a large group of us went to a local sauna in Oslo and took a dip in the fjord! Sauna culture is a big deal in Scandinavia and is a relatively traditional practice amongst Norwegians. It provides a way to soak up the benefits of ice/heat therapy, destress after a long, stressful day, and socialize with friends. Despite the intense fog, we trekked down to the floating saunas and spent about an hour and a half there. As someone who grew up near a lake in Minnesota, I felt right at home! I thoroughly enjoyed the tranquility and feelings of nostalgia that the fjord brought up, and combined with the blanket of quiet that the fog provided, showed this to be a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Regarding the sauna itself, I loved feeling the opposing extremes of hot and cold. Emerging from the humid smokiness of the sauna into the crisp air and icy cold water is an experience I would recommend to anyone if you get the chance!
We finished out the night with a group dinner at Kafé Seterstua, a cozy, traditional Norwegian restaurant located in Frognerseteren (about 10 km from the center of Oslo). There, we had the opportunity to try several Norwegian dishes, such as smoked salmon and cucumber salad, reindeer stew, and chocolate tart with homemade vanilla ice cream. Along with the amazing food, we enjoyed panoramic views above Oslo. Despite the fog, you could see the ski hills peeking out here and there, as well as the gorgeous sweeping view of the city glowing beneath the clouds.
