Jaden Yoder

Overall Experience

I learned so much in Ghana. I stayed at the Nutrition Research and Training Center in Asesewa, Ghana, and everyone there was kind and welcoming. We all got to know each other because we lived life together in close proximity for a whole month. I learned a lot about Ghanaian culture because of this, and my new friends also learned about American culture. Through living in Ghana, I learned about nutrition intervention with a cultural approach, but I also gained many life skills ranging from washing my clothes by hand to cooking a Ghanaian meal with the other interns. It shaped my professional and personal life.

Learning experience

The most valuable learning experience came from writing a 50-page research paper with the interns. The Ghanaian interns had a strong background in research and data analysis, so they taught me a lot about that. The research process in itself increased my knowledge of understanding the background and cultural norms of a community before even attempting to collect data. After analyzing all of our research, it was only then that we could formulate a beneficial nutrition intervention.

Memorable experience

My most memorable experience in Ghana happened on one of our last days there. The whole day was filled up with activities. We went back to the community that we did research with (Sisiamang Yiti). There was an event where we presented our nutrition intervention on the topic of protein diversity through a song and skit we created. That day, we also were hosted on a local radio station and discussed anemia during pregnancy. Finally, that night, we had a celebration back at the Nutrition Research and Training Center where we were given our certificates and ate lots of Ghanaian food. It was a full day that was the accumulation of our time and efforts in Ghana.

What did you not expect?

I did not realize that dairy consumption is pretty low in African culture. This is why it is important to shape nutrition recommendation to the culture, and why it is necessary to understand cultural norms before prescribing a nutrition intervention. For example, in the U.S., we would suggest milk, yogurt, and cheese as good food sources to increase calcium intake. But in Ghana and really in African culture in general, dairy is not frequently consumed. It would be a much better to suggest something like kontomire leaves to increase dietary calcium. Coming back from Ghana, I knew that this knowledge would impact my work as a dietitian because it would help me partner with my clients.

What advice would you give?

Go for it! Trying new things and embracing change is an essential life skill. Ghana was totally different from the U.S., but that is why I learned so much. Change is both exciting and challenging, but it is good! Have an open mind and understand that adapting to something different takes time, so give yourself grace. Keep asking lots of questions and get to know those around you.

How has this experience impacted your life?

In the United States, we learn about cultural competence in different courses, but living in Ghana for a month gave me a greater depth of understanding of this concept. I was able to absorb the culture and see how "normal" life looks different for so many across the world, which made me grateful for what I have. I hope to take what I have learned about research and nutrition intervention into my future career as a registered dietitian. Being in Ghana showed me what it looks like to understand a client's background before giving nutrition recommendations.

How did you learn about this experience?

I first learned about this opportunity through an email that a professor at Iowa State University sent to all of the Dietetics students. It piqued my interest because I had never done a study abroad before, but I thought it was a unique opportunity to do a nutrition internship in another country.

International Connections