Getting over 2nd year blues

So I've been keeping something under wraps since I started this blog that needs to be made public knowledge now.

To help towards the funding of this elective I applied for the Midwives Magazine Student Travel Scholarship at the Royal College of Midwives Awards. I found out I was shortlisted in October and was invited to London to give a presentation on my reasons for wanting to go to Tanzania, my learning objectives for the trip, and what type of experiences I hope to encounter.

Although the overall application process was hard work on top of existing general student midwife commitments - I'd happily do all that interview preparation again rather than some of the essays! I'll willingly admit that I've suffered with second year blues and knowing I have Tanzania to look forward to has been the light at the end of the tunnel during the last few months.

So after going to London at the end of October for my interview and presentation it was a long wait for the results which were announced at the RCM Annual Midwifery Awards which were held last week on January 24th 2013.

The event room

The event itself was amazing! Everyone looked so glamorous (which I'm sure you'll appreciate, as midwives and students we are mostly in scrubs/tunics - not the feminine dresses we see on BBC's Call The Midwife), the drinks reception was lovely, the atmosphere was nothing but exciting and I spoke with some really interesting people. Then we were all invited into the main event room for the dinner and awards ceremony. The meal was delicious (I joked it was possibly the best meal I'd have as a student!) and there was some wonderful people sat at my table - especially the other shortlisted candidates in my category. Meeting these students from different universities gave the us the chance to compare notes on courses, assignments, placements and, naturally, our electives!

Then the awards ceremony itself began with a speech from Cathy Warrick - chief executive of the RCM - highlighting that although the room was full of wonderful people working within maternity services, getting recognition for the excellent work they do, there are many more midwives and maternity teams who are just as amazing and inspiring that weren't in the room. A sentiment I whole heartily agree with. As the shortlisted entries for each category were announced, and then the winners, the room became electric!

When it came to the Student Scholarship, our table became very quiet and nervous as we wished one another luck. To our amazement it was announced that the scholarship is to be shared between the three entries. This was an amazing surprise and we were all in slight disbelief! What happened over the next five minutes is a bit of a blur, but I remember being called up to the stage to receive my cheque, as I made my way I was congratulated by many people and I was VERY conscious of concentrating on walking and not tripping over!

Emma (editor of Midwives Magazine) Cathy (chief executive of RCM) Me (1 of 3 scholarship winners) Natasha Kaplinsky (news anchor and presenter) 

So I have received part of a scholarship. This is an incredible honour and amazing to think that the judges I met back in October want to support me in making my dream a reality. This has made a big contribution to the money I have to raise for the whole trip, so it has eased a little pressure...but I still have much more to raise!

Being in a room with so many wonderful midwives getting recognition for excellence and innovation was nothing short of inspiring. Even if I hadn't received any part of the scholarship, just being there and making the contacts I have was inspiring and has completely reignited my motivation. 

Second year blues are definitely over!

Congratulations to all the finalists and winners; especially my fellow students, what a fantastic way to start our journey in midwifery :)

And I know I've said 'inspirational' too many times, but I can't think of any other suitable word lol

I'll be doing another blog later this week, I've had a lot of people ask me why I'm wanting to do an elective, so that's going to be my next topic :)

Happy New Year...oh my, it's 2013 already???

So 2013 is here!

1 trip to London to enjoy.

7 short months to go.

1 assessed placement to learn and grow.

2 nasty essays to conquer.

1 birthday to celebrate.

Then it’s time to jet off on the adventure of a lifetime!

Since dreaming up this journey over a year ago I promised myself that as soon as January 2013 arrived then would be the time to start the real planning and preparation…how did it get to be January already?!

I took the first steps months ago, I discussed my ideas with tutors, sought advice from midwives and students who also ventured overseas for electives, I had a meeting with my course leader, submitted my official request for an elective, drew up a realistic budget and considered the likelihood of me being able to save the pennies to do everything I want to while in Tanzania.

But when it came to booking and paying, I’m still surprised at how hesitant I was, how long it took me to click ‘pay now’. I knew this was definitely what I want to do, definitely the destination I want for my elective and definitely the company I want to travel with. Friends, family and my university were all supportive in my decision, yet I was struggling to actually make the first click. I’d gone to the website several times with the intention of making the booking…but not actually going through with it. Once I sent my deposit, that was it, I was committing myself to a huge financial expenditure, travelling 4,680 miles alone, I’d be experiencing possibly the most extreme maternity care of my life without the support of my family and cohort – the people I know and trust. How would I do it? I sat staring at my laptop thinking up hundreds of doubts about my ability to cope with witnessing such extreme situations where even clinical gloves aren’t always available – the most basic of disposable resources used here in the UK. Then one day I just reminded myself of all the amazing aspects of this opportunity, how humbling and eye opening it will be, how I’ll grow as a person and ultimately how it will affect my practice as a midwife for the better. And really, will I ever have the chance to do something like this again? That was the day I clicked ‘pay now’ at the end of October.

And now it’s January! So, back to the planning. I have my reality budget of all the expenses I need for the basics of the trip. Then I have my dream budget which includes all the recreational extras I’d love to do while there. But a lot of saving is needed even for the smaller budget! That’s probably the biggest element to focus on. I have some small fundraising ideas that will need some greater consideration. I also have things ready to put on ebay and stacks of things ready for a car-boot in the spring. I don’t imagine that will amount to much but every little helps. So firstly, I need to figure a way of gathering and saving pounds, not just pennies. Any suggestions welcome :)

I feel very conscious of the language barrier that I’ll be faced with; not just for me being able to function in a foreign country as a lone traveller, but the women receiving maternity care. This will be a big learning curve in non-verbal communication but I want to be able to converse, even at a basic level, with women and their families and personally I think it important to attempt the language when in a foreign country regardless whether there in a recreational, professional or learning capacity. So, number two, start my Swahili. Little and often is the best for me, so getting started early will be of huge benefit!

I need to consider my intended learning outcomes (ILOs) as this placement contributes to my degree. Again, I have some rough ideas – mostly focusing on cultural differences, communication skills and reflecting on practice with limitations in resources. I think I’ll find it easier to finalise these as I carry out my next placement.

Then there’s lots of little bits, not priorities yet but need to be aware of when I should have them sorted – flights, insurance, jabs etc.

Oh Lord, this year is already going too quick!