Ann Jie Teo ’27 spends summer providing nutrition education in Alaska

This summer Ann Jie Teo ’27, an international student from Ipoh, Malaysia, studying nutritional sciences, traveled to Nome, Alaska, to intern with Norton Sound Health Corp. Here, she talks about her experience in the Bering Strait region providing nutrition education and services to the local communities.

How did you find this opportunity with the Norton Sound Health Corp., and why did you feel drawn to it?

I discovered the internship through Dr. Erin Green, who has been an incredible mentor and resource for students in Cornell’s Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). Instead of mass-applying, I carefully selected internships that aligned with my career goals. The Summercise program in Nome immediately stood out to me as an opportunity to utilize my nutrition knowledge and enthusiasm for sports to prevent diabetes in the Bering Strait region. What drew me in even more was how it covered every side of nutrition – community and clinical – all in one summer. And honestly, there’s no other place better than Nome for such exposure!

What did you do throughout the internship?

This internship challenged me to work on a wide range of projects that elicit creativity, teaching and clinical professionalism simultaneously. I designed fun, hands-on nutrition lessons for youth that emphasized food and culinary literacy, coupled with active games like water polo and beach activities. I created a kid-friendly hospital menu to support inclusivity and nutrition, assisted with diabetes screenings and counseling, and completed a Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) rotation – producing radio announcements and participant resources. The most rewarding one was to build a digital recipe library of family-friendly and healthy meal ideas as a WordPress beginner user.

Ann Jie Teo standing at the beach — Coordinating "Beach Games Week."

Ann Jie Teo coordinating a game on the beach — Exploring in the sand during "Beach Games Week."

What did you most enjoy about your time with the Norton Sound Health Corp.?

What I enjoyed most throughout this experience was the sense of connection I built over the two months. Organizing events like community runs and produce markets gave me the chance to connect with the locals, learn about their culture and humbly gain new perspectives from them. The most rewarding part was seeing the kids’ smiles after my classes and activities, which reminded me why I fell in love with working in nutrition and health care. Outside of work, I cherished the unforgettable experiences trying new foods (i.e., moose, reindeer, muktuk), doing polar plunges, picking berries, hiking and having midnight bonfires.

Ann Jie Teo posing under a rock — Stopping for a break during my hike on Anvil Mountain.

Ann Jie Teo posing on top of a ledge with friends — Taking in the views from Anvil Mountain

What were some takeaways from your internship?

The visit to the local villages around Nome completely blew my mind. On my first trip to Teller’s grocery store, my jaw immediately fell to the floor upon entrance. The flickering light and empty shelves and fridges shook me. It was nothing like a “conventional” grocery store. On another village trip to Saint Michael, I witnessed the unloading of a cargo plane, and all that fell into sight were stacks and stacks of soda drinks. Where is the produce, I wondered? At that moment, I truly confronted the harsh realities of transforming rural health care and food systems.

Ann Jie Teo poses in front of a small plane — Flying off to villages!

Empty grocery store shelves — Empty grocery store In Teller, Alaska.

How did your internship influence your career goals?

It made me develop a deeper passion for rural health care. Experiencing the realities that locals navigate daily not only deepened my understanding of community nutrition but also shaped me into a more practical, resourceful and appreciative individual. It inspired me to want to be part of a change, something that yields tangible outcomes. This internship pushed me outside my comfort zone, challenging my pre-existing knowledge and perception toward a problem and taught me lasting lessons of resilience and adaptability. This experience solidified my passion for nutrition and health care and will act as a milestone in my career progression.

What advice would you give to students interested in participating in a summer internship?

Just give it a try! You never know if you will end up loving it. Experiences are equally valuable when you love and hate them. Summer internships are not just about shaping your resume; they’re about living a new chapter of life. Take them as opportunities to make mistakes, learn new skills, meet new people and broaden your horizons of what the world has to offer. During your internship, give 100% as experiences are ultimately what you make out of them. The more you get involved and engaged, the more rewarding the experience becomes.

Ann Jie Teo on the beach making food — Midnight bonfires on the beach.

Ann Jie Teo poses with colleague while preparing food — Serving food in the cafeteria.

Is there anything else you would like to mention about the internship?

I highly recommend it for all dietetics students or anyone passionate about nutrition. There is truly no experience more wholesome, holistic and rewarding than taking a trip out to rural Alaska and witnessing firsthand the hard reality of inconsistent produce supplies and rural health care systems. It was truly eye-opening, and apart from it being a life-changing experience, there is no better way to encapsulate the journey.

Ann Jie Teo ’27 spends summer providing nutrition education in Alaska

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