1. Why did you choose your
course?
I chose to study dietetics
because food is such an integral part of our lives. We eat at least 3 main
meals a day, and often we do not stop to think about what actually we are
putting into our mouths. We are so governed by our hectic schedules that food
becomes a silhouette that is more a means of survival, rather than an enjoyable
experience.
2. What do you love about your
state/Australia/UK?
Melbourne
is famous for its coffee culture, so one thing I really love is the widespread
availability of coffee here. Also, Melbourne has a really vibrant arts scene,
and for an arts lover like myself, I am absolutely thrilled by the idea of
festivals and music concerts happening on a regular basis. In addition, I
really enjoy the experience of seasons, away from the warm and humid tropics.
3. What are the top 5 items you
would bring from Singapore to Australia/UK every semester?
I
will definitely bring my personal collection of pens: Mildliner highlighters,
Zig markers, Uniball pens, etc, curry and chili powder, my Carebear soft toy,
my class of 2011 sweater from school as well as my Polaroid camera. (:
4. Which Singaporean food do
you miss the most?
I
really miss my bubble tea, which is so ubiquitous in Singapore, yet it is such
a rare (and expensive) treat in Melbourne.
5. Which aspect of your course
do you like the most?
I
really like how involved we get with food, because no one else gets to cook for
class (other than chefs I suppose). Learning becomes easier and more fun when
you are truly passionate about what you do, and studying about the various
foods and cultures of the world is really exciting. I really enjoy cooking and
baking, and the next best thing is trying out the food I’ve made.
6. What is one common
misconception about your course?
Sometimes,
people come up to me and ask me for tips to lose weight, or even blatantly
asking, “So you are just going to help people lose weight?” What they do not
know, is that dietitians are more of clinical professionals who help with
nutritional and eating problems in patients, especially those suffering from
diabetes or hypertension, thereby complementing their medical treatments. Helping
people lose weight, and that is only if they need to for health reasons, is
definitely not our only job scope.
7. What is the most unique food
you have tried in Australia/UK?
The most unique Australian food
I have tried is kangaroo meat, and while some might gush at me for trying such
adorable animals, I must say that they are quite rampant in Australia and
kangaroo meat can even be found in supermarkets.
Lin Wen
Monash University
Nutrition and Dietetics Year 1
Monash University
Nutrition and Dietetics Year 1
