Nutrition co-op student at Harbor View Haven

In summer 2022, when I began my first co-op work term at Harbour View Haven as the

Nutrition co-op student, I had no idea how much I would adore my job, and I was fortunate to be able to remain on through the fall and winter. Before coming to HVH I was uncertain about what I wanted to pursue in the future, but the hands-on discipline related experience I received throughout my work terms piqued my interest to follow Dietetics.

Over the course of the year, I carried out a number of projects and tasks that allowed me to groom myself both personally and professionally. I was also given the opportunity to share a bit of my culture by making traditional Sri Lankan dishes for the staff at HVH.

Among my projects were, rearranging unorganized work tasks in the dietary department, standardizing winter and summer menus, and understanding efficient inventory

management systems to incorporate into daily operations. Through these projects, I was able to hone my interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, gain knowledge about geriatric

nutrition, and gain experience in food service systems; all of which I believe will be

extremely helpful to me in any context I find myself in in the future. Assisting residents with mealtimes were my most favourite task I carried out as the Nutrition co-op student as I got to spend a little time with the residents everyday.

My co-op work terms at HVH were made even more special by the kindness and constant support I received from the dietary department directors, manager, cooks, food service workers, as well as other departmental staff like administrative staff, therapeutics director, nurses, CCAs, OT and PT, environmental and maintenance personnel. The experiences and knowledge I gained during my time I spent at HVH will have an everlasting impact on my life and I am very grateful for the opportunity given to me to work at Harbour View Haven.



Nutrition co-op student, Ranchana David