Studying physiotherapy in Denmark. Must work for free when they come home – NRK Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
– Life pauses. Quite simply, says Magnhild Fisketjøn.
NRK meets her with fellow students in Aarhus.
She is one of around a hundred Norwegian students in Denmark who received the shock message in the middle of their studies:
You will not receive authorization in Norway when you have completed your education.
The plan was to go home again to work as soon as they finished the three and a half year long educations in the neighboring country. Now it’s not that tempting.
– You consider whether you have to drop it.
– Do you feel unwanted in Norway?
– Yes, actually.
– Everyone says they do not have more places
When students went to Denmark, an 18-year-old Nordic agreement still applied, which has secured students in health sciences authorization no matter where in the Nordic countries you study.
In short, it means that you can go straight to work after the education.
But then, in February 2020, the rules were changed. The Friend of the Fatherland and Khrono have previously mentioned this change.
Everyone who comes from abroad must reach through one year in rotation service. This has been a practice for students in Norway who have half a year shorter education.
But students in Norway get 90 percent of the basic salary during practice. Fisketjøn and his fellow students in Denmark are not entitled to a single kroner when they return home.
Nor are any employers required to provide students from Denmark’s work in Norway.
– I have contacted all state administrators in Norway. Also close to 30 municipalities and hospital. Everyone says they do not have more places since they were taken by students in Norway, says Oda Sodefjed Tørnkvist.
Gets 411 kroner a day from Nav
That means another year with a student budget.
– You could say I have been so “lucky” that Nav goes in and supports with 411 kroner a day. I have talked to students who have not had it either, she says.
Bårdsen says the education is of high quality.
She does not regret studying in Denmark, and will not necessarily discourage others from doing so.
– But you must know that you are completely alone. You stand mutters alone and there is no one to catch you when you get home again, she warns.
The government: – A risk of studying abroad
The government has no plans to do anything to help students who get home, says State Secretary Karl Kristian Bekeng (Labor) in the Ministry of Health.
– It is a risk when taking education abroad. The regulations can change both in the EU and in Norway, he says.
He thinks there are enough physiotherapists in Norway.
– About 280 physiotherapists are trained in Norway a year.
The latest statement makes Febe Pettersen shake his head. She is Helene Bårdsen’s supervisor in Grimstad.
– Then they have not earned with what we can contribute in society. We know there will be many more seniors with great needs.
Want as rights
In Denmark, students look forward to getting started on a rotation at home in Norway, even though they may work for free. But they expect the Norwegian authorities to change the regulations.
– We want the same rights as students in Norway so that we can start in shifts right after the exam, says Stine Bergan.
Oda Sodefjed Tørnkvist follows up:
– And we want a transitional arrangement for us who started with other premises. We expect them to help us when they have taken away our rights.
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