During week 20, final-year midwifery students from Arcada University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki had the opportunity to take part in an amazing mobility week in Klaipėda, Lithuania, through Nordplus Rosa-Linea. We were there to meet students and lecturers from the newly launched midwifery program in Klaipėda, who also acted as our hosts throughout the week. Accompanying us on the trip was Arcada’s midwifery lecturer Pernilla, along with eight students: Daniela, Isa, Essi, Josefin, Natalie, Anna, Wilma, and Anna.
The week offered an exciting program that included, among other things, a study visit to Klaipėda University Hospital and engaging simulations in the school’s training facilities. We gained insight into how the Lithuanian healthcare system works and were able to compare it with what we’re used to back home in Finland – both similarities and differences sparked interesting conversations with lecturers, doctors, midwives, and fellow midwifery students.
One of the highlights of the week was forming new, valuable connections and exchanging experiences, thoughts, and laughter with the Lithuanian midwifery students – our future colleagues. It became clear to all of us just how much we have to gain by sharing knowledge, perspectives, and experiences across borders. The international collaboration provided valuable insights, not only for our future professional role as midwives but also for our own professional and personal development.
For me, Natalie, the week had an extra special continuation, as I had the opportunity to stay for an additional two weeks to complete a placement at the hospital’s neonatal unit and labor ward – a valuable experience I will carry with me for a long time.
We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in this mobility and take with us many wonderful memories, new knowledge, and a strengthened Nordic-Baltic collaboration. We’re already looking forward to more meetings like this in the future!
Thank you to Nordplus Rosa-Linea for making this possible! 💙
