Norwegian students – under a mobility program at “Nicolae Testemitanu” University

Four students from the University of South-Eastern Norway in Kongsberg started a 12-week mobility program at the Department of Ophthalmology-Optometry of Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova. Young people were integrated in a group of fourth-year students-optometrists, representing the third group of Norwegian students who visit our institution under the Moldovan-Norwegian Cooperation Program Improving Primary Eye Care in Moldova.

Magnus Solvberg, one of the four young people, says that this program is very beneficial for students, the biggest advantage being the interaction with several patients in clinics, while in Norway it is possible to carry out this activity only in the presence of a teacher and only with one patient per day. According to the Norwegian student, Moldovan patients are much more open and provide enough information, despite the fact that they speak different languages. Thus, young Norwegians had the opportunity to study cases of cataracts, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, diabetic retinopathy.

According to the Associate Professor Lilia Dumbraveanu, during the mobility period, foreign students participate, together with Moldovan students, in theoretical and practical activities, passing on the Norwegian experience and, respectively, accumulating new information and developing their skills of examining patients with eye health problems. “Practical lessons take place in three specialized centers: the Ophthalmology Clinic at Sfanta Treime Municipal Clinical Hospital, the Low Vision Center for the Visually Impaired People and Oculus Prim Medical Center specializing in targeted investigations of children with refractive errors: myopia, hypermetropia, astigmatism and contact lens correction. It is an exchange of experience that benefits us all”, pointed out the associate professor.

Along with the teaching activities, Norwegian students can get acquainted with the traditions, culture, and historic sites of our country, in this regard being organized a cultural program to be carried out during the three months of internship. Young Norwegians are guided by a tutor-resident doctor, who helps them to adapt more easily in the capital’s environment, the language of communication being English.

Norwegian students say they are excited about the conditions of study, accessibility of clinics, but also the receptivity of people they interact with. At the same time, they are delighted by the traditional Moldovan cuisine, especially the soup with noodles, pies and polenta.

Academic mobility is part of the activities of Improving Primary Eye Care in Moldova Moldovan-Norwegian Cooperation Program, being implemented in collaboration with Kongsberg University. Under the bilateral project, Nicolae Testemitanu University students from the Optometry specialty have the opportunity to carry out their practical internship in Norway, after their first year of studies.