Featured Intern: First Week

By Amanda Bot

I am happy to say the first full week of my dietetic internship is officially behind me!  Not too much to report on because we are not quite into rotations yet.  I have been in Florida for about two weeks now and really am starting to feel comfortable in my new apartment.  There is just one big adjustment: I don’t know anyone!  This is not like freshman year of college where you move into your freshman dorm with lots of people your age, in your exact same situation.  It was not until I dropped my parents off at the airport that it hit me how alone I really was, for the first time in my life. 

As soon to be dietetic interns across the country move to the city where they will be completing their DI I imagine they are experiencing similar feelings.  Even if that time may be a year or two away for you it will ease your transition into the dietetic internship if you are prepared and have a plan for adjusting to your new environment.  For this reason I decided to put together a list of suggestions on how to meet people and become active in your new community. 

·      Get a part time job:  Your coworkers will be great resources for advice on things to do and places to go in your new environment.  The chance of becoming friends with some of them is also extremely high! 

·      Join a gym that offers group classes:  You can also join a gym without group classes but it is much easier to talk to someone taking the same class as you than it is by walking up to someone on a treadmill or weight machine.

·      Find a place to volunteer:  This one is wide open and can provide a multitude of opportunities to become involved in the community and meet new people.  One suggestion I was give was to become a volunteer through Big Brothers Big Sisters. 

·      Become a member of a local club:  Maybe you are into running, or books, or cooking, chances are there might be a local organization of a ready-made group of people with the same interest as you! 

·      Contact the interns who just finished your internship:  This is the most advantageous contact you can make before you even move to your new city!  Past interns will have advice on places to live, things to do, and they may even have books or supplies they don’t need anymore that they are willing to give you for free or at a discounted price. 

The most important thing is to put yourself out there and step out of your comfort zone.  The dietetic internship is your top priority but it does not have to be your whole life while you are interning.  If you make an effort to meet new people and try new things you can learn both in and outside of the internship!