Reflective Essay

1. Think back to when you first started as an HCSV major, how have you changed as a

result of your experiences in this major?

a. When I started as a HCSV major I had my mind set on becoming a nurse but with

this major we were exposed to so many topics from drugs in our society, mental

health, environment health, research and much more. In order for al HCSV majors

to graduate we all have to compete a 300-hour internship, and for me I chose to

do it at the CHC (Center for Healthy Communities). Walking into it I had no idea

what I was going to do since the Butte fire just happened the semester prior. It

was hectic since many people were displaced and thankfully, I had the chance to

educate schools and centers in Yuba County about healthy eating. There are many

people that do not apply for Cal fresh because the process can be compilated. But

with my team we were education the children and adults regardless if they did or

not. So, with this internship it was a HUGE wide opener to see what is happening

to the community around me. Now I want to work with low-income populations

to show them the recourses that they have, to be a voice for them, and to provide

health for all.

2. What are you most proud of? Discuss what you have done that you didn’t ever think you

would be able to do, your biggest challenge in the major and what you learned from these

experiences.

a. I am still in shock that this semester I was able to present my own lesson plans. In

class I am not a big fan of speaking up and when I did have group projects that I

had to present I never wanted to. With this internship and classes I had to step out
 of my comfort zone and I did, it was tough at first but as time passes it gets easier.

I learned that no matter how hard the task is, if you believe in yourself that you

can do anything. But I want to also thank the awesome teams that I had to support

me throughout the whole process.

3. What does your portfolio tell you about your strengths and areas for growth? How so?

a. My portfolio shows that throughout this program I have grown. I never would

have thought that I was able to create a research paper, a grant proposal, or even a

10-page lesson plan. I was able to find myself as a leader while doing the group

projects in my classes. College students are busy, but I was proud that I was able

to make sure that everyone had a voice in the project.

4. What classes, assignments and topics were the most and least interesting to you? Why?

a. The classes that I found the most interesting was environmental health. I knew

that the zip code that we live in does affect how long one lives but I never knew

that our planet was in so much trash. We hear about climate change; recycling is

good for the earth but if you look at it closer you see that not everything is

recycled. Humans producing too much trash, driving around town, and eating too

much meat is also hurting our planet.

b. The least interesting class I think would be Multicultural Health. Not that this

class was not important which it was, but I felt that the things we were learning

were the same things that we were learning in the other classes. Also, when I took

that class there was way too much work that I felt was unnecessary.

5. Were your best (and favorite) assignments related to people, planning, administration,

community, science or other area of the coursework? How so?

a. My favorite assignments were related to the community, it was interesting to learn

what is happening in the community since I lived in Chico, been to City Council

Meetings, bought produce at farmer’s market. Looking up the data and seeing

what was happening around the community was shocking but as health educators

it is our job to collect data and see how we can improve the community. It is

tough to promote healthy eating to low-income populations because there is a

stigma against food stamps but as we educate and show how simple it is, I hope

that more people will apply.