My academic experience has been full of changes – I transferred universities as well as changed my major within Ithaca College. Though I wanted to work with athletes, it took a while to settle on the right program. The food and nutrition concentration of the health sciences major, along with an exercise science minor, provided an excellent course outline for future pursuit of sports nutrition. Courses taught extensive mechanisms of human physiology, provided experience in a clinical settings, and highlighted the importance of evidence-based medicine. These skills have set me up for success and will be taken with me into my career.
I was able to utilize my knowledge during a summer abroad in Switzerland. My program – food security, nutrition, and sustainable development – examined obstacles to nutrition and food security on a global scale. Through this program, I attended meetings at the United Nations and World Health Organization headquarters, met with experts in the field of food sovereignty and sustainable agriculture, and experienced the slow food movement by visiting local producers of wine, olive oil, truffles, and Istrian cattle. I’m immensely grateful I had the ability to work this experiential learning platform into my time at Ithaca College.