During this semester, we participated in a "Global Nutrition Virtual Exchange" project. This involved collaborating with a nutrition course from the United Kingdom, where we brainstormed our cultural similarities and differences. The project offered us the chance to learn about both our own culture and theirs through guest speaker presentations and one-on-one group meetings. The purpose of this project was to foster an understanding and appreciation of cultural differences, gain insight into lifestyle behaviors, develop intercultural communication skills, and achieve cultural competence.

​

Partnering with Newcastle University was incredibly beneficial to this course. It was my first time engaging in a project like this, and I found it to be a great way to stay engaged while building relationships with our assigned group members. Through this project, I learned that there are commonalities such as students across both cultures eating less healthily, the accessibility and affordability of fast food, and the shared importance of coffee.

 

We also discovered key differences: Costco is considered a very "American" franchise and is not easily accessible in the UK; tea plays a larger role in their daily routine; Starbucks is not their first coffee choice; their version of “MyPlate” recommends five servings of vegetables and fruits per day; food is viewed more as a luxury due to higher costs, limiting students’ access to healthy options on tight budgets; and cinema portions are smaller, though still pricey, compared to the US. This experience helped me develop a deeper appreciation for cultural differences in nutrition and lifestyle.