From panel discussions to taking the pulse of patient simulators – this is what the Open House in Östersund was like
Around 1,000 high school students filled the campus in Östersund during the Open House. During the day, they got to visit labs, listen to lectures and generally be brimming with inspiration. The goal is that in the future they can consider a higher education – preferably at Mid Sweden University.
"Yes, yes, maybe. Maybe I can imagine continuing my studies here in Östersund," says Samuel Chikaonda, who has just really gotten his pulse up by trying to make wind with a plastic tray at the table of the Electric Power Engineering programme at the mini-fair in the light hall.
Simon is in his final year of the Economics program at Jämtlands Gymnasium Wargentinsskolan.
"But I'll probably work for a while after graduation, save up some money and then travel a bit before I think about continuing my studies," he says.
Samuel Chikaonda creates wind.
A good insight into what university education is
For the more than 600 students who came to the morning session, the day began with a lecture on student life. Out on Studentplan, the Student Union and the Student Health Service offered grilled sausages and around Campus the labs offered guided tours. In building O, where the nursing program is located, the students got to meet the patient simulators and see what the clinical training department looks like.
"It feels like I got a much better insight into what it can be like to study to be a nurse now," says Lovisa Svensson, who attends Fjällgymnasiet in Svenstavik.
She and her friends Felicia Ahlberg and Aprilia Jonsson have tried with great interest to take the pulse and listen to the heart of a patient simulator. All three of them are in the Child and Recreation Programme and none of them have really considered becoming nurses in the future.
"I've always thought of working with horses. If I were to go to university, I would probably study something with languages," says Aprilia.
"And I'm going to the police academy, I've decided that since I was little. There's something about having a varied job and being able to work with people," says Felicia.
"I'm more into working at a preschool, perhaps, but I don't know. That's kind of why I'm here, to look around," says Lovisa.
Felicia Ahlberg, Aprilia Jonsson and Lovisa Svensson attend Fjällgymnasiet in Svenstavik.
From cool to scary in the lab
In the simulation lab at RCR, the Risk and Crisis Research Centre, visitors can see and test different environments. They get to feel what it feels like to be surrounded by water, but also what it feels like to stand in a nightclub environment with loud music. Per Alexander Esbjörnsson, the lab's technical manager, guides them through different scenarios. "Cool", "cool" and "nice" are words that can be heard from the visitors, but when a loud alarm blares through the speakers and the floor starts to shake, several of them express that it is scary.
"I've probably done this 50 times, but I can still feel my heart rate rising every time," explains Per Alexander.
During the afternoon session, about 400 students were registered. It is mainly high school students in years 2 and 3 who are invited to the Open House and their attendance is mandatory. During the afternoon, ninth graders from Odensalaskolan and first-year students from upper secondary school were also on site on campus.
