Midwifery Elective

My name is Katie James and I am currently in my second year of University studying Midwifery. As part of my course, I have the opportunity to travel to Mauritius for two weeks in October 2015, where I will be working in a midwifery setting such as hospitals and clinics. I am hoping to explore how midwifery may differ to what I am exposed to within the UK, giving me further insight into the profession as a whole. Whilst on this placement, I am hoping to achieve goals and objectives, such as exploring the healthcare in Mauritius and familiarising myself with how the healthcare system runs. I am also hoping to witness an alternative approach to the midwifery care that I have provided as student. I would like to practice and develop the skills I have achieved throughout my training as a student midwife so far, such as supporting women in labour, which will benefit me in the future. I understand I will be working within a culture that is affected by poverty and working with families that are affected majorly by poor income, however I will take this opportunity to educate myself about how money can affect women's health. This will also help me to appreciate and value the healthcare in the UK which is taken for granted. Throughout this elective placement, I will be faced with many challenges, such as working in an unfamiliar environment and in a multicultural society, but I will be willing to overcome these challenges by participating in everything I can and having a heads up approach. This will enable me to become an autonomous practitioner and understand what it would be like to work abroad which I am hoping to do once qualified. Not only will the money I raise help me to fund Mauritius, but the money I raise will help me to buy medical equipment for the maternity unit that may be under resourced and underfunded, therefore any donations would be hugely appreciated. I would like to make a positive impact on both the women and midwives lives and share my experiences and knowledge with them. Thank you, Katie