In June 2025, I embarked on a six-week international placement at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Taiwan, under IMU Nutrition’s Global Placement Programme. Thanks to IMU’s generous funding, I was able to experience nutrition beyond the classroom, immersing myself in a new culture, gaining first-hand exposure to global nutrition practices, and expanding my professional skills in ways I never imagined.

My placement involved delivering research presentations, engaging in academic discussions with faculty, and visiting hospital food service operations. These experiences gave me valuable insight into how healthcare and academic institutions in Taiwan integrate nutrition into both patient care and community health promotion.

A highlight was visiting Chi Mei Hospital in Tainan where I learned about the country’s healthcare systems and innovative strategies to address nutrition and lifestyle-related issues. Although Taiwan’s obesity rates are low, chronic diseases remain a concern. Addressing this requires more than education – it calls for interdisciplinary teamwork and built environments that promote health, such as Tainan’s bike-friendly streets, clean pavements, and vibrant public parks that naturally encourage active living.

The IMU BSc (Hons) in Nutrition programme prepared me well for this placement. Modules like Food, Nutrition and Culture, Research Methods, Health Promotion and Programme Management in Nutrition, and Community Nutrition gave me the knowledge to apply theory in real-world contexts, deepening my appreciation for cultural sensitivity, environmental influences, and collaborative teamwork.

Beyond academics, I embraced Taiwan’s vibrant culture—sampling night market delicacies, visiting museums, and celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival at Love River. I also began sharing my journey on Instagram and TikTok, transforming a casual hobby into a public health outreach platform. This experience taught me the power of relatable, engaging content to inspire healthier lifestyles and showed me how social media can be both an educational tool and a future business opportunity.

This placement reshaped my understanding of what it means to be a nutritionist —not just as someone who shares knowledge, but as a connector of cultures, a driver of collaboration, and an advocate for healthier living. I return to Malaysia energised, ready to integrate these lessons into my practice and inspire change in others.

Written by Claire Ng Yann Wei