Haya Al Smadi
Haya has almost 10 years of experience working in nutrition for a wide audience including women and children. She has already made an impact through media appearances and her online following, and hopes to take her career to the next step with a Master of Food Science.
Since starting her journey as a student, Haya has been impressed by the supportive and friendly atmosphere at the University of Auckland. "From day one, all the support staff were very helpful and supportive, and they were so friendly, which made it easier for me to get through the homesickness and feel like home," she shares.
Studying at the University of Auckland has also boosted Haya's confidence. "I am more confident speaking with new people since this was the first step that we’ve learned during the orientation – how to be confident meeting and talking to new people," she notes.
She has found immense value in the study facilities and resources available to students. "I particularly enjoy the cosy study areas in different places and buildings in the University, as well as the facilities that provide a comfortable and quiet environment for studying," she says.
Haya is optimistic about how her degree “will impact positively on my career and the future of Food Science in Jordan," she explains. Her goal is to leverage her education to make a significant contribution to her field.
Her research is centred on new technologies and techniques for fortifying food, a crucial area of study given the vitamin and mineral deficiencies affecting children and pregnant women in her home country. "These deficiencies affect their lives negatively, and I aim to address this issue through my research," she states.