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!