Learnings from a community-based internship for students of a nutrition and dietetics program in the region of Urabá, Colombia

Abstract

We systematized an experience of a community-based internship (social practice) carried out by a group of students of the Escuela de Nutrition y Dietética at Universidad de Antioquia developed in a community in a region of Colombia (Urabá). Objective: identify, since the critical reflection, significant aspects of the process carried out in the social practice courses which contributed to the professional training of the students. Methodology: the guiding question was collectively defined; the gathering and the analysis of information were lead by a group of students. Basic information sources were the field diaries and the reports of the evaluation time. The analysis brought us to the categorical system construction, which was validated with the students. Results: the most relevant categories represented the contributions identified as significant during the social practice, and they were named: learning, planning and recognition of one-self. Discussion and conclusion: the practice and its systematization promoted that students reflected about their potentialities in their future as professionals, recognized their abilities, identified themselves in their professional role, and took interest on the realities of their context.