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Sphere on Spiral Stairs

Community Engagement 

This page highlights a selection of experiences from my practicum, volunteer roles, leadership activities, and community events. These experiences gave me the opportunity to communicate and collaborate with people from different backgrounds, build meaningful connections, and gain a better understanding of community-based work.

NSTEP Practicum
Edmonton, AB

NSTEP (Nutrition Students Teachers Exercising with Parents)​

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Completed a practicum placement with NSTEP, a non-profit organization that promotes healthy lifestyles and supports the well-being of children, families, and communities. As part of a collaborative team, I contributed to health promotion projects focused on education, community engagement, and accessible health resources.

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Throughout my placement, I supported program planning and grant application development, conducted research and literature reviews, and helped create educational resources, infographics, and social media content. I also contributed to culturally inclusive materials by developing Cultural Plates resources for Asian families and translating selected content into Mandarin. 

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For my independent practicum project, I collaborated with NSTEP and MacEwan University staff to co-host “Unwind Your Mind,” a mental wellness event for international students. I researched relevant mental health topics, developed educational materials and conversation prompts, supported the event, and prepared a debrief report afterward.

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This practicum gave me the opportunity to apply my Nutrition and Human Ecology background in a community setting. It also helped me better understand how health information can be made practical and accessible to the people it is intended to support.

Project excerpts displayed for portfolio purposes. Images are intended to showcase selected aspects of the project and are not the full assignment submission.

Mini Internship—Newly Weds Food
Edmonton, AB

Completed a 3-day job shadowing with Newly Weds Foods, a food ingredient manufacturer specializing in custom seasoning blends and product development. During the placement, I gained an inside look at food manufacturing operations from both the Quality Assurance and Research and Development teams.

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Working alongside the Quality Assurance team, I observed quality control procedures and participated in product testing, including salt content and viscosity analysis. I also learned about Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), ingredient handling, allergen control, production processes,, documentation, and the systems used to maintain food quality and safety.

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One of the highlights was a hands-on seasoning matching project with the Research and Development team. Using sensory evaluation, I prepared and tested different formulations, gathered feedback from the team, and adjusted ingredient ratios to create a closer match to a target dill pickle seasoning. I also participated in flavour evaluation and learned how factors such as customer preferences, dietary requirements, ingredient availability, and large-scale production can influence product development.

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This experience gave me a better understanding of how food science is applied in a commercial setting and how Quality Assurance and Research and Development work together throughout the product development process. 

Mini Internship—Champion Petfoods
Edmonton, AB

Completed a 3-day job shadowing experience with the Quality Assurance team at Champion Petfoods, a manufacturer of premium pet food products. During the placement, I gained firsthand exposure to quality assurance operations in a large-scale food manufacturing environment. I learned how product quality and food safety standards are maintained throughout the production process.

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Working alongside Quality Assurance professionals, I assisted with sample preparation and observed laboratory testing of nutritional and compositional characteristics, including protein, fat, moisture, and fibre. I also gained exposure to Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR), peroxide value and mycotoxin testing, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and quality documentation.

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Through laboratory observation, facility tours, and conversations with industry professionals, I gained a better understanding of how Quality Assurance supports food manufacturing operations. I learned how HACCP principles, critical control points, laboratory testing, production monitoring, and other quality control procedures work together to manage potential hazards and support food safety and regulatory compliance.

Nutrition Assistant
The Second Affiliated Hospital of University of South Hengyang, China 

Completed a nutrition assistant placement in a hospital setting, where I supported nutrition professionals with patient records, nutritional assessment forms, dietary guidance, and general patient inquiries. This experience allowed me to observe how nutrition knowledge is applied in a clinical setting and how dietary support can contribute to patient health and well-being.

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Throughout the placement, I assisted in reviewing patient information and nutrition screening tools, including the Mini Nutritional Assessment–Short Form (MNA-SF) and NRS Form (Nutritional Risk Screening), to better understand individual dietary needs and nutrition-related concerns.

 

Through this process, I gained exposure to factors commonly considered when identifying nutritional risk, such as changes in appetite and body weight, mobility, recent illness, age, and body mass index (BMI). I also observed how nutrition professionals communicated dietary recommendations and adapted their guidance based on each patient’s health needs and circumstances.

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Also, I supported daily administrative and patient communication tasks by entering patient information, answering telephone calls, and responding to general inquiries. Working in a hospital environment helped me develop a better understanding of patient-centred nutrition care and the importance of clear communication, patience, accuracy, and confidentiality when supporting patients.

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Vice President of Chinese Conversation Club
UofA KGK

Served as Vice President of the Chinese Conversation Club, a student-led club affiliated with the University of Alberta’s East Asian Studies program that brought Mandarin and English speakers together to practice their language skills, learn from one another, and connect outside the classroom.

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I helped coordinate the club’s transition to online programming and organized and promoted more than 20 weekly conversation sessions. My responsibilities included selecting discussion topics, preparing presentation materials and interactive activities, coordinating meetings, and helping members connect in an engaging and welcoming environment.

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I also managed the club’s Facebook page and WeChat group, responded to member inquiries, designed digital posters, and shared language learning resources and relevant campus information. In addition, I coordinated volunteers, maintained participation records, and prepared volunteer certificates to recognize their contributions.

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I collaborated with student groups from other universities and community organizations to co-host events to promote the club through orientation activities, campus club fairs, and language courses.

 

Through this role, I strengthened my skills in leadership, event coordination, volunteer support, social media management, and community engagement while helping create an inclusive space for language learning, intercultural exchange, and meaningful connections.

Volunteering 

Contributed to a variety of student support, community engagement, and wellness initiatives through volunteer roles with the University of Alberta International Student Services, the University of Alberta Alumni Association, the Chinese International Students Development Society, and Friends Across Campus.

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With International Student Services, I supported events such as the Holiday Party, Airport Welcome, Round Dance, IKEA field trips, and wellness package delivery. I helped with event preparation, promotion, and participant support while connecting with students from different cultural and educational backgrounds.

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Through the University of Alberta Alumni Association, I took part in community and wellness initiatives, including Prairie Urban Farm, healthy snack distribution, Campus Food Bank collections, Unwind Your Mind, and the Festival of Health. I assisted with event setup, on-site activities, and other tasks needed to keep events running smoothly.

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As a volunteer with the Chinese International Students Development Society, I participated in community activities with Action for Healthy Communities and Ronald McDonald House, as well as student events on campus. I helped prepare activities and food, organize event spaces, and worked with other volunteers and program leaders

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These experiences allowed me to meet and work with people from different cultural, educational, and social backgrounds. They also helped me become more comfortable working as part of a team, supporting participants during events, and contributing wherever help was needed.

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