Shiela Tusiime

My exchange to Tromso was wholesome and once in a lifetime. I took a semester exchange in the Nursing program and completed my clinical practice at UNN hospital.

Being there was a major cultural shock that slowly subsided over the course of the practicum, and the language barrier – loud and visible with colleagues and patients – got easier by the end.

With the help of Duolingo, I entered my clinical with some Norwegian words under my belt and kept up my learning throughout. Being immersed in the language helped me gain confidence to speak and understand the people in my surroundings.

I would not change anything about this exchange; it was amazing, rich and rewarding. Thank you to everyone I worked with and met during my exchange; you made it worthwhile.

Please do it. I look forward to doing travel nursing, which will allow me to explore what that may look like, especially going to a place where I am not fluent in the language. It enhanced my non-verbal communication skills and allowed me to remain present with clients and colleagues. I am a natural traveller, so exploring the city and meeting new people was a bonus.

I advise everyone to apply with an open heart and an open mind because our world is in no way the same in a different corner of the world.