Learning Journal #6

 I felt like last class discussion was specifically geared towards me, it was a great lesson. Monochronic versus polychronic time; it sounds more complicated than it really is. Basically, a monochronic timetable is what we typically use in the U.S. People schedule set appointments compartmentalizing their lives, living in a task-based manner. "Time is money" and no one wants to "waste time" waiting! While polychronic time is just the opposite. People multi-task letting the order of their tasks be dictated by realtionships. This system is people-based. This timetable sounds very familiar to the one Sione (my Tongan professor) described. He told us that in Tonga, time means nothing. It is not valuable to them. In Tonga, they have all the time in the world, so instead of valuing time and their schedules, they value relationships. Devoting quality time with family and friends is the most important thing for Tongans.

Learning about these approaches to time management really helped me understand how/why things work. I have always been a monochronic girl, set to a particular schedule dividing my day in to organized sections and polychronic people seemed lazy and rude. I never understood the difference between task-based and people-based living. Learning about the priorities of polychronic time management makes those people seem less lazy and rude, and almost more considerate and selfless. I am really excited to live and Tonga, submerged in a culture where time means nothing and relationships mean everything. I think it will be a refreshing and relaxing change.

This lesson may also be helpful in my project, while I research different headache triggers. Maybe polychronic time plays a role in a low-stress lifestyle which prevents headaches. We'll just have to wait and see!

Learning Journal #5

I really enjoy meeting with our little Tonga group of 4 girls (and Nick of course), we always have fun learning and planning together. Last class period we made project maps that were surprisingly helpful! I definitely had an "Ah ha" moment, or two, as I tried to explain my project outline to our group. I realized several problems I still need to sort out. I think my problem has big potential, but it is also pretty ambitious. For the project map I placed my underlying question in the center of my paper then wrote further questions, factors, and methods branching off. After explaining our projects to our peers, we brainstormed together pointing out possible issues and additional ideas. It was great! By explaining my research and actually drawing it all out, I realized that I have a few dead ends... For example:

1. How will I find the people with chronic headaches?--hospitals/clinics, schools or church
2. How will I keep in contact with those patients for further research?
3. How will I design my survey? Should I conduct interviews instead or in addition to?

Those are just a few questions I had when discussing my project with our group. We also learned that a Learning Journal entry should come to a certain conclusion, so here it is Nick! The more I discuss my project with others, I realize new details I need to address. There are a several more questions I have on top of the ones listed above, and I am grateful for the peers and mentors and family members that will help me reach answers. I will gladly and gratefully accept suggestions! Even though I'm technically conducting my project alone, it will be a collection of ideas and input from many people. I have an awesome support group here and BYU, and I am really excited to create one in Tonga. Hopefully I will be able to get support from my host family and community.

Learning Journal #4

In class yesterday we covered more recent Tongan history, discussing current events and government reform. It was interesting to read articles from different sources and notice how the view point of the author can greatly determine the opinion of the reader. 4 separate articles describing the same event can lead to drastically different outcomes. What are the authors motivated by? Is it impossible to write without bias?

I want to research and write without my opinion interfering. I am so passionate about my project and I really hope to find something new and amazing, but if I expect to come to a certain conclusion my research will be in vain. In order to find any real answers I need to be open and indifferent.

Learning Journal #3

After a brainstorming session with my Mom, I think I have a clear grasp on my project. My research will be divided into 2 parts. First, a survey given to a test group of approximately 200 people separated by age. This questionnaire will ask basic questions -- "Do you have headaches? How frequently? Typical duration? Pain level from 1-10, and What most likely triggers your headaches?" As a headache patient I understand the difficulty of pinpointing triggers, but I know it is definitely possible. With each headache one can usually guess what brought it on; which leads me to the second part of my project.. After administering the survey and recording/organizing my data, I will assess why  the headaches are occuring by comparing and contrasting the common triggers in the U.S. with the most common triggers in Tonga. I know some will be similar because of our underlying human anatomy, but I also hypothesize a difference as several of the common headache causes here will vary there. [ie: stress]

Hey Mom, thanks for the brainsurge. (Jimmy Neutron)

Learning Journal #2

What do I study, that is the question. I have always been set on a health-related research topic, hopefully something science based, but choosing is difficult. I would love to get some hands on experience in a clinic there and put my EKG training to use! However, cardiovascular disease wouldn't be anything new. The Polynesian people are known to have high percentages of CVD, diabetes and hypertension. But these problems are attributed to their lifestyle and genetic make up. No, heart health is not my project. That would be a topic to be researched in a library, been there done that.

Instead of choosing some random health issue, I want to study something close to home. Headaches. After suffering with chronic migraine headaches all of my life, I have plenty of curiosity and ample amounts of passion to fuel a project! I have decided that I definitely want to study headaches while in Tonga. There is still much fine-tuning to be done, but I am very excited to finally decide on a project theme.

Learning Journal #1

It's official...I'm headed to 'The Friendly Islands' for the summer through the International Field Study program at BYU! In the excitement of applying and getting registered for the prep courses, I have yet to build my actual research project.. Oops. Guess I skipped a step there! I have several ideas with a hint of potential, but I want to study something exceptionally great! I want to break new ground! As I continue brainstorming and outlining different projects, hopefully I will be able to create some truly wonderful, health-related research to conduct. Suggestions are gratefully accepted and appreciated!

Project Question

Why headaches are occurring in Tonga? 

-By comparing common triggers in the U.S. to common causes in Tonga.