Esther
"With the rise of social media, there is a lot of misinformation shared which can be harmful to health. Dietitians pride themselves on giving evidence-based advice that is backed by science!"
Studying dietetics
I’ve always been very passionate about giving people the correct information based on evidence. I think with the rise of social media, there is a lot of misinformation shared which can be harmful to health. I was elated to find out about dietetics because dietitians pride themselves on giving evidence-based advice that is backed by science!
Some of my favourite lecturers on my course are Professor Sue Lanham-New, Dr Barbara Engel, Dr Sarah Bath, and Dr Veronica Giacintucci. These lecturers have displayed such mastery in their subject area and have a great ability to explain higher concepts simply. They’re also all women and I find that very empowering being a woman myself.
Long Li, a lecturer on the course, has been incredibly helpful with setting up talks and job fairs for us. We’ve also had external guests speak with us about their career paths which is always insightful!
On placement
Dietitians have to complete a certain number of clinical hours to qualify, so I had a placement year which was a great learning experience.
Placement year shows you what life in clinical practice entails, so it’s everything from working with patients who have eating disorders to those recovering from strokes and babies who have a cow’s milk allergy. My highlight was seeing the patient improve because it shows the impact that our expertise has.
"Some of the best things about life at Surrey are the scenery and quietness"
Student life
I led the Chosen Christian Society in my second year and am still a member now. It’s really encouraging to be surrounded by like-minded people. Some of my best friends were made in that society.
Some of the best things about life at Surrey are the scenery and quietness, the fact that it’s not that far from London and spring in Guildford is also so beautiful!
Looking ahead
Studying at Surrey has shown me a lot about the world of work and taught me to live in the present. If I had to describe my time at university in three words, they'd be humbling, life-changing and inspiring.
I’m in my final year now, and I’m currently applying for jobs in public health nutrition and nutrition policy.
