UWE radiography students head to the Arctic

The University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) has completed the first student exchange with University of Tromsø – The Arctic University of Norway (UiT).

At the beginning of September Bridie Goodleff and Liam Hamilton set off from London Heathrow, on the journey to Tromsø in Arctic Norway where they would spend the next 14 weeks living in the Arctic and experiencing working at the University Hospital of North of Norway (UNN). At the same time Gøril Holmeslet from UiT headed back the other way to start her placement at University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust.

The students from UWE Bristol were able to participate in a simulated trauma event at UNN and to encounter musculoskeletal injuries related to the activities of the Arctic such as skiing. They were also able to enjoy their downtime watching the northern lights, dog sledding and sampling the local food delicacy of lutefisk.

Meanwhile, Holmeslet gained valuable experience working at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and spent her downtime in a vibrant and busy British city that is very different from her home in Tromsø.

Students from both universities completed successful placements, learnt new radiographic techniques and strengthened their skills in communication and adaptability.

UWE Bristol senior lecturer Ben Whistance said: “We are delighted to be able to offer this kind of experience to our third-year diagnostic radiography students and we hope to be able to develop our international relationships further in the coming years.”

Two students from each university have already been selected to exchange this year in September.

Lead picture: UiT senior lecturer Henning Nysted, UWE Bristol senior lecturer Ben Whistance, UiT senior lecturer Rigmor Johansen, UiT radiography student Gøril Holmeslet and superintendent radiographer at University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Simon Brown.

Published on page 40 of the May 2019 issue of RAD Magazine.