Tell us about your background and what brought you to UW?

My name is IsabellaRose but everybody calls me Bella! I’m a first-gen college student and I moved from my hometown in Bellevue, WA to the UW Seattle campus in 2019. I’ve always known I wanted to be a part of the UW community and attend the University of Washington because of its dedication to high achieving students through academics and its interactive environment where students have the chance to grow by learning new things and meeting new people. UW Seattle has a big campus so there is so much room to explore and find your niche.

What led you to the Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health Major?

I was inspired to join the Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health Major because I knew I wanted to focus on the health and wellness of people in whatever future career path I decided. The major stood out to me because it incorporated the topics of food, culture, and health into the central theme of nutritional sciences, which I thought was unique. I knew that in this specific major, I’d have a good foundation of these topics and that would help me in whatever occupation I decided to pursue in the future.

How has your educational background and experience prepared you for studying food systems?

I’ve had the privilege of great education and positive schooling systems. Growing up, I was always with my mom, cooking, learning new things from her in the kitchen and trying new foods. Both experiences fortunately helped to prepare me for the FSNH Major and allowed me to be open to learning more and more each day about our current food systems and how they effect communities around the world.

What are your future aspirations or goals?

It has always been a goal of mine to become a public health nurse where I can focus on addressing food and health inequities like food insecurity in marginalized and underprivileged communities and the overall health of these communities.

How has studying Food Systems impacted your UW experience?

Joining the Food Systems Major has impacted my UW experience because it allowed for me to learn more about Food Systems and how they affect our world today.

Are you involved in any clubs, activities or organizations at UW related to food systems?  

I am currently on the board of The National Society of Black Healthcare Professionals (NSBHP), a registered student organization at UW dedicated to stimulating and developing student interest in healthcare and any occupation related to the healthcare field.

What do you like to do for fun outside of class?

Outside of class, I really like reading, cooking, singing, dancing, traveling, fashion/design, watching movies and spending time with my family and friends.

What is a fun or interesting fact about you?

I love listening to music. My top three most listened to albums this year are “For Broken Ears” by Tems, “Ungodly Hour” by ChloexHalle, and “RENAISSANCE” by Beyoncé.

What advice would you give prospective students considering a major in Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health?

I would tell prospective students considering the FSNH Major to be open to learning and trying new things and experiencing new cultures that they never have before. There are so many career paths that you can take after having a foundation in this field of study.