I must first express my sincere gratitude to Rotary 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 overview of 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.
I’ll begin with some practical information. I study at the University of Oslo in a Master’s of Philosophy (MPhil) program in International Community Health within the Faculty of Medicine. I live at Sogn Studentby, a student housing complex located just a few kilometers north of the Blindern (main) campus of the university. My floor has 7 single rooms and a shared bathroom and kitchen. Board is my responsibility, and I have enjoyed learning to cook a number of new dishes! Although Norway is an expensive country, tuition is nominal and prevented me from having any financial concerns for the year. Additionally, please see the list of presentations with locations and dates on the final page of this report.
My program of study 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 92 hours to date and enjoyed developing relationships with both the residents and health workers at the facility.
The following paragraphs are a message I directed to the outbound Rotary scholars at the 2009 Mid-America LINK Rotary Foundation Regional Outbound Scholar Orientation Seminar in Kansas City. I feel the message presents pertinent information on my volunteer experiences, a unique aspect of Norwegian society, and useful advice for future scholars.
I can remember the engaging and enlightening presentations and activities I experienced at last year's outbound scholar orientation, and much of what I learned there has come to benefit me and enrich my experience this year as a Rotary Ambassadorial scholar.
One topic, however, that was racing through my head throughout the conference, and continued to linger in my thoughts during the time before departure and even upon arrival was: What sort of service activities will I be able to embrace during my time in a well-organized welfare state, where the state assumes comprehensive responsibility of all its citizens?
This issue proved to make getting a service activity arranged an especially active and laborious process. As per my interest in health, my desire was to establish a volunteer position in some sort of health care facility. When I arrived to Oslo in the fall I was excited to get started with service soon, as it is an essential component of the Ambassadorial scholar year, so I began to ask around and make contacts immediately. I spoke with a classmate that works at a Norwegian public health institute, contacted a Rotarian pediatrician in Oslo, emailed my interest to an online volunteer coordinating service, inquired at the Red Cross, and physically visited a local hospital to inquire; none of which proved successful in my quest to volunteer in a health care setting.
Then came good fortune. A classmate in my master's program recommended I offer my help at a nursing home in which he previously worked. I went to the facility and mentioned my classmate's name, which helped establish my credibility. The concern of language came up (since I spoke quite limited Norwegian at the time) and the effort seemed to be put on hold until I improved my language skills to an unspecified level. After that, a Rotary connection swooped in to my rescue. A nurse at the facility heard of my interest to volunteer, and having a daughter currently on a Rotary exchange program in Japan, she happily took me under her wing to get established with the position!
Now I go to the nursing home 2-3 times a week, for about 2-3 hours each visit. I help with preparing meals, read (i.e., attempt to read) the Norwegian newspaper and articles with residents, help putting residents to bed, assist in other daily care activities, and, of course, socialize with everyone. I am pleased with the variety of activities in which I am allowed to participate.
So my message to all, and especially those scholars going to a welfare state, is to not give up in arranging your involvement in a quality service activity. Start making contacts as EARLY as possible, as it took me a full semester to get my position lined up! People are suffering all around the world, some to a much greater degree than others, but there is always an opportunity for you to better the lives of a marginalized group.
My role as an ambassador of goodwill has allowed me to visit 17 Rotary Clubs and deliver 22 presentations to various audiences. The majority of clubs I visited are within District 2310, however, I also visited two Norwegian clubs in the neighboring District 2260 and the Istanbul Caddebostan Rotary Club in Turkey. Through my time visiting the many Rotary Clubs around Norway and abroad, I am always impressed with the quality of character exemplified by Rotarians.
We were blessed with an exceptionally snowy winter in Oslo for my year here. 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 four months I glided more than 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!
My Norwegian language skills have developed gradually through the past year. Last semester I took an introductory Norwegian course and this semester I practice my conversation skills regularly when I volunteer at the nursing home. I was able to use my Norwegian skills for portions of my presentations to clubs as well. My Norwegian floor mate, Jørn, is also delighted to speak with me in his native tongue occasionally when we converse. Although a mastery of the language is not necessary to communicate in Norway, as the vast majority of the population is proficient in English, I have been pleased to engage in basic conversations with Norwegians. My attempts at learning the language and my basic skills have been well received by the Norwegians with whom I have spoken.
I look forward to staying in touch with Rotary in the immediate future through my return presentations to clubs in my sponsor District 6420 this summer. Additionally, I would gladly accept any offer to speak at future outbound scholar orientations. Once I complete my time in academia and begin my career as a medical doctor I will certainly explore the opportunity to become a member of Rotary.
Again, I deeply appreciate being granted this opportunity to live, serve and learn in the name of Rotary.
Respectfully submitted,
Dan Sadowski
