Hey! My name is Jhewel  and for my senior project I am going to my second home, the twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Though I was born in America, I lived in Trinidad for much of my childhood and, after moving back to New York, I have visited the country at least once a year. I have often considered moving back to the country after I finish college and starting my professional life there, and  it was this thought that guided my senior project planning. I am going to be “shadowing” a lady who works as both a midwife and a obstetrician/gynecologist for two weeks, from February 22 to March 5. I find obstetrics very interesting and wanted to study how doctors practice this form of medicine in the country that I hope to one day call my home again.

My project is composed of two main parts: the observation of how both of these professionals conduct their work and also an interview with them asking personal and professional question. I wanted to get an objective view by merely observing what they do on a daily basis, and then using the interview to delve below the surface and find out a more personal view of this occupation. So for the two weeks, from 9 am until about 3 or 4 pm,  I will be following the doctor to her office at the local hospital, and observing while she works. Currently, we have planned out two evening visits where I will be conducting my interviewing, because the doctor made it very clear that she probably will not be able to talk with me much if she has a full day of appointments.

I must admit that there is much that excites me about this project, and I cannot wait to begin. I was very happy to learn that my sponsor has experience with being both a midwife and a professional OB/GYN because I would like to know all about the similarities and differences that exist between these two medical practices. I am also extremely eager to get to my project because I will, hopefully, be able to witness my very first live birth. In New York State, there are very strict rules concerning who is allowed to be in the delivery room, especially if you are under the age of 18. The rules are a lot less strict in Trinidad, and I am hoping to be able to finally view a live birth. I just hope that I am able to stomach all that I see, and I must say this is my biggest fear. I would hate to think that, after all this I am saying about how much I want to see this birth, I am unable to watch the entire thing because of personal issues.

Another issue of mine, that is completely unrelated to my project, is that I was unable to be present at the biggest nonreligious holiday in the country, Carnival. Nicknamed the world’s greatest show, this year’s carnival fell from February 13 through February 16. I will be arrving just intime to see all of the glitter and dust being swept off the streets, but I am not complaining too much for this is the first canrival I have ever missed, and my excitement over my project quickly overtook any dissappointment I may have felt about missing this event.

All of that aside, however, I am anxious to get to Trinidad and embark upon my senior project journey. It is exciting to know that you, as readers of this blog, will be there with me every step of the way and I would like to thank you for allowing me to share this part of my life adventure with you! Hope we both enjoy my project! =)