University of the Western Cape - UWC Speciality : Biological Sciences
programme: Dietetics

I’m enjoying my BSc Dietetics experience, which offers a well-rounded blend of theoretical foundations and hands-on training. The program’s practical components, including department kitchen cooking sessions and foodservice practicals, provide invaluable experience.

Off-campus excursions to clinics and hospitals, such as Delft Community Clinics, Tygerberg Hospital, and Karl Bremer Hospital, allow us to consult actual patients and hone our skills in real-world settings.

While I appreciate the program’s strengths, I’d like to see:

1. More demonstrations and practical examples to supplement theory.
2. Case studies with provided answers or feedback to ensure we’re applying concepts correctly.
3. Improved communication with lecturers, as current communication can be inadequate.

However, some lecturers excel in delivering comprehensive theoretical instruction but not so well in practical examples, I believe it is purely because they choose not to in efforts to push us to figure out on our own.

Overall:
This program is an excellent choice for aspiring dietitians seeking a comprehensive education with practical applications. However I am not so sure about the international aspect as of yet but have heard of a few students being successful internationally in places like USA and Austrailia.

UWC is an easy going university.

It has several on campus facilities including a gym, swimming pool, computer labs and a nature reserve.

I often visit the nature reserve for refreshing walks and an opportunity to explore the diverse indigenous flora.

Generally, main campus is bustling with buzz of students shifting from class to class but quite frequently we can on campus events and activities eg. Food Trucks, Expeditions or Career Expos.

For the studious student, the 24 hour study lab is always available for sustained and ongoing silent studying and the library is home to 11 floors, each with a personalised set of librarians who have always been keen to help us find information and improve our assignments.

Additionally, we have a writing centre with amazing staff who upon sending an email at least 24 hours prior to a session one can read your literature review, research proposals or any other academic writing.

Furthermore, located in a closely proximal building; in the same building one can find the student counselling services and a nurse, doctor and pharmacy.

Would never recommend it to anyone. There’s no empathy for poor black people who have to take care of the families back home while also studying because no one else works. No support either – just judgement and discouragement (from the respective departments, for you to drop out.

In highschool, I graduated as the class of 2020. The pandemic became a big part of my student life as it impacted everything from classes, graduation, the entire school environment. As a first year student, the university made arrangements for online learning, but then we abruptly switched to in person “normal” learning randomly mid semester after covid rates went down. My entire class failed, only 3 students make it to the next level. I did not like the fact that we didn’t have a chance to be slowly taken back to “normalcy”, they just randomly decided and sent everyone emails that we’re gonna have exams in person, after having the entire semester online?? Everyone panicked. But anyway I bounced back, I was able to make friends and I got to learn more about myself in that period, guess I could say it was a blessing in disguise. I got to redo my second year in a way that I had always imagined it, attending classes, working on group projects with other students, experiencing university as a whole and seeing other students on campus all dressed up, late for class, leaving assignment submissions to the last minute, discovering coffee shops on campus and finding our favourite one. I will always cherish the memories I made and the ones I’m still going to make.