THE MIDDLE EAST
•
My Experience
While conducting the focus groups,
I had to travel across Jordan to the
different communities where War Child
operates with my two data collectors Fatin
and Ala’. These days were extremely long
(it was Ramadan – being on the go all day
in 30++ degree heat with no water was
challenging) and since I can’t speak Arabic,
it was at times frustrating because I had
absolutely no idea what was going on in
the focus groups. I didn’t know what my
research was revealing until I was back in
England and had received the translations
of the audiotapes from the external
translator.
I also had huge difficulties trying to
organise the focus groups with the staff; in
Jordan there is a culture of people not
wanting to threaten each other’s jobs and
in one focus group the staff were very
suspicious of me (I later heard that they
thought I was a spy) so I had to sit that
focus group out…
I found the experience very
difficult. It was isolating living in an
abandoned apartment block on my own for
just over a month and I had barely any
interaction with people who spoke English.
It was also a struggle at times being a lone,
Caucasian female in a patriarchal society.
Since I’ve been home I’ve been in contact
with War Child several times to ask
whether they’ve taken my findings on
board and am really disappointed to hear
Gather as much information
from the organisation as you can
that they still haven’t. It shows
before you go, on what’s already
how feedback and accountability
in place for the research and
mechanisms aren’t a priority in these
what still needs to be done (I
settings yet.
went in totally blind and ended
However, the study gave me
up having to organise much
insight into the inner workings of
more than I had anticipated
charities and the day-to-day problems
when I arrived in Amman, this
they encounter, as well as the human
deducts time you can spend
costs of one of the worst modern
doing the research)
conflicts. The experience was a
• Don’t just assume the
reminder of how the practice of
advice you are given by the
medicine extends far beyond clinical
organisation about
work, often in contexts and political
accommodation is the best for
currents that are unfamiliar. Some of
you (some countries have a
the other trip highlights included seeing
patronage system, so it may not
Petra at sunrise, spending a night in
always be the cheapest/safest
the desert and adopting Step the 3-
option)
legged kitten! It was a privilege to work
• If the option is available, for
alongside kids who were so eager to
countries where there are fewer
get involved and participate in the
English-speaking people,
research and to become part of a team
consider going with a friend
who have dedicated their time to
• Leave yourself enough time
provide them with assistance.
at the end of your trip to go and
visit the tourist attractions!
I hope this article has given you an
insight into my intercalation experience.
Although my project wasn’t medically
focussed, I’ve learnt that medicine
provides us with a skill set that is
applicable in many different
My advice to anyone considering
environments and situations. Hopefully
research abroad:
this has made you think twice about the
• Fully research the country
opportunities that are available to you
you’ll be visiting, especially its
that may not fit into the traditional
current political situation
medical path. There is certainly much
more to be discovered beyond the walls
of Cedar House!