Update 20 April 2009

Hello friends,

I hope this message finds you enjoying a warm transition to spring. I wish to update you on my recent activities and during Easter break.

This past Friday I completed a final examination for my 'Topics in Health Policy' course and now am busy hammering out the details for my research methodology and protocol. Tomorrow I will be visiting the Jessheim Rotary Club, located a short distance northeast of Oslo, to give a presentation.

I enjoyed a cross country ski trip for 4 days in the mountains east of Stavanger for the beginning of Easter break, and visited the city of Stavanger for the second leg of the trip. See photos below.

I wish you all a wonderful week!

Regards,
Dan

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My friend, Christoph, and I visited the city of Stavanger for a few days during Easter break. We stayed at the house of another friend, Janne, who is a classmate in my masters program and from Stavanger. Aside from the photos showing our activities below, we also visited the Norwegian Petroleum Museum, which provided insightful and educational information on the history of oil and Norway's relationship with the natural resource.

Old Stavanger precinct, with quaint cobblestone paths

Stavanger city center and harbor area

With my friend, Christoph


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The three of us, Janne, Christoph and I, took a short day trip south of Stavanger to see the countryside and take a walk along the beach.

With my friend, Janne

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Christoph and I took a hike to a popular attraction near Stavanger called Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock). The rocky 3.8 km trail takes approximately 2 hours to climb to the top and leads to an amazing view of the Lysefjord, looking from atop a 604 meter cliff that plunges straight down to the water below. Quite an exhilerating experience, especially with the strong winds we had to deal with atop the cliff plateau that added to the thrill!

At a small pond on the hike up to the top

View from atop the cliff with the Lysefjord in the distance

This photo helps give perspective on the elevation of the cliff, looking down to the fjord below

A rainbow as the clouds broke up a bit

Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar Report for District 6420 Annual Conference

Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar Report for District 6420 Annual Conference

Warm greetings from Norway to all Rotarians and friends in attendance at the District 6420 Conference! And I am serious when I use the descriptor “warm” for my salutation, as we are enjoying beautiful weather in the mid 50s this weekend; a welcome transition from our long and snow-filled winter.

I must first express my sincere gratitude for making this opportunity possible for me. Without your support this time for personal growth and development in such a unique setting would not be possible. Here I would like to provide you with an update on my progress this year in my host District 2310 as an ambassadorial scholar on behalf of District 6420. I have enjoyed an enlightening and wholesome time here in Oslo.

My program of study, International Community Health, has provided me with a basic foundation of knowledge in public health, taught through a unique Nordic health lens that has provided insight into their perspective on health care. In my masters program I am learning the comprehensive process of research, step by step, and acknowledging the importance placed on public policy decisions based on research and empirical data.

One of my reasons for selecting Norway as a potential host country was my curiosity to experience and better understand a modern welfare state based on fundamentals of egalitarian ideology. I have found this aspect of my time here to be particularly thought provoking, especially coming from the US where individualism is strongly emphasized. My perspective gained here will follow me in my future career as a health care professional.

Aside from a fruitful academic experience, I have also embraced the Rotary Ideal and engaged in service at a local nursing home. I have logged nearly 85 hours and enjoyed developing relationships with both the residents and health workers at the facility.

Additionally, my role as an ambassador of goodwill has allowed me to visit 17 Rotary Clubs and deliver 20 presentations to various audiences. Through my time visiting the many Rotary Clubs around Norway and abroad, I am always impressed with the quality of character exemplified by Rotarians.

As I mentioned in the beginning of this report, we were blessed with an exceptionally snowy winter in Oslo this year. With the encouragement from my host Rotarian, Trond, I purchased a set of cross-country skis at a garage sale and decided to test out my skills with the national sport of Norway. In just over three months I glided nearly 500 miles on skis. I look forward to skiing next winter back in Illinois with my sponsor Rotarian, John, who I learned also enjoys the sport. Serendipity on skis guided by the light of Rotary!

Again, I deeply appreciate being granted this opportunity to live, serve and learn in the name of Rotary.

Respectfully submitted,
Dan Sadowski