As a sophomore major in Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN) with a concentration in Dietetics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), I have the opportunity to participate in a variety of classes, workshops and internships that allow me to explore my passion for nutrition. I have found FSHN to be a welcoming community that provides a wealth of resources to help students succeed. In the classroom, many guest speakers introduce us to practical nutrition knowledge. Outside of class, weekly seminars help us explore deeper topics.

One of my favorite things about my time at UIUC has been the variety of ways to learn about nutrition and dietetics. In some of my classes, we taste different types of food and even cook our own meals, which is a fun and memorable way to explore nutritional science and the culinary arts. Plus, we have many other fun classes!

I had the opportunity to speak at the National Nutrition Month fair. The theme of our group was "Eating On Budget," which I think is an important topic, no matter how old we are. We focused on eating on a college student's budget. We looked at different strategies and techniques for maintaining a healthy diet while cutting costs and presented our findings at the fair. During the event, many students listened to our presentation and shared their own thoughts or questions with us. It was a great experience working with my team members and getting feedback from our teachers and classmates.

As an international student, I am grateful for the supportive community I have found in FSHN. The faculty and staff are very helpful, and I have been able to connect with other students who are passionate about nutrition and healthy eating. On top of that, ACES provides many scholarship opportunities for research or study abroad, which enriches our experience!

Looking ahead, I am excited to continue my nutrition research and explore the different career paths I can choose. I know that the knowledge and skills I have gained at UIUC will be invaluable in achieving my goals in the field, and I encourage anyone interested in nutrition and dietetics to consider this program. It is a supportive and engaged community that provides students with a wide range of resources to explore their interests and develop their skills.