Asel Özcan

I am a disciplined, highly motivated, and open-to-development student dedicated to specializing in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics. Throughout my academic journey, I have consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to continuous learning and professional growth. My clinical nutrition and individual counseling experience was significantly enhanced through comprehensive internships completed at Acıbadem Healthcare Group, including Kozyatağı, Taksim, Maslak, Altunizade, International, and Atakent Hospitals.During these internships, I gained hands-on experience by working closely with multidisciplinary healthcare teams consisting of physicians, nurses, and other allied health professionals. I actively participated in patient evaluations, contributed to the development of personalized nutrition plans, and supported the implementation of enteral and parenteral nutrition protocols. These experiences allowed me to apply my theoretical knowledge to real-world clinical settings, deepening my understanding of patient-centered care and evidence-based nutrition interventions.Additionally, I strengthened my ability to communicate effectively with both patients and healthcare professionals, ensuring clarity, empathy, and professionalism in all interactions. I also enhanced my organizational skills by managing clinical documentation, monitoring patient progress, and adapting nutrition strategies to meet individual health needs and conditions. With an investigative mindset, strong analytical thinking, and a detail-oriented approach, I strive to identify solutions that improve both short-term outcomes and long-term quality of life for patients and clients.

During my clinical internship at Çapa Medical Faculty, I had the opportunity to observe and learn from a wide range of cases across several specialized fields, including neurology, obesity management, geriatrics, and clinical nutrition. This experience exposed me to diverse patient populations with varying medical and nutritional needs, deepening my understanding of how nutrition interventions play a critical role in supporting recovery, managing chronic conditions, and improving overall quality of life.

I gained in-depth knowledge of clinical nutrition practices by closely following enteral and parenteral nutrition protocols. This allowed me to understand the decision-making process behind the selection of appropriate feeding methods, formulation of nutrient solutions, and monitoring of patient tolerance and outcomes. I also observed the collaboration between dietitians, physicians, and nurses in implementing these protocols, which highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork in clinical nutrition.

Through these observations, I developed a stronger ability to connect theoretical knowledge from my academic studies with real-world hospital practices. I also became more aware of the complexity of patient care in clinical settings, particularly in cases involving neurological disorders, age-related health conditions, and obesity-related complications. This internship strengthened my motivation to further specialize in clinical dietetics and enhanced my appreciation for evidence-based, individualized nutrition strategies tailored to different patient groups.

During my internship at Gökhan Çelik Clinic, I had the opportunity to gain in-depth experience in the specialized field of sports nutrition. This internship provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the nutritional requirements of athletes across different disciplines and performance levels, and allowed me to observe the application of evidence-based nutrition strategies in real clinical and athletic settings. Throughout the internship, I worked on evaluating athletes’ dietary habits, analyzing nutrition diaries, and supporting the development of individualized meal plans tailored to training intensity, competition schedules, and recovery needs. I learned how macronutrient distribution, hydration strategies, and supplementation protocols are carefully adjusted to optimize both performance and health outcomes. In addition, I gained exposure to methods for managing weight control, muscle gain, and energy balance, which are essential for athletes aiming to improve body composition without compromising performance.

I also observed the importance of pre-, intra-, and post-exercise nutrition. This included strategies for maximizing glycogen stores before training, maintaining energy and hydration during activity, and accelerating recovery through proper nutrient timing. By following these cases, I strengthened my ability to connect sports science with practical dietetic applications. Another key aspect of this internship was learning how to adapt nutrition plans to the psychological and social aspects of athletic life. I observed how motivation, discipline, and lifestyle factors influence dietary adherence, and how dietitians support athletes in overcoming challenges such as cravings, fatigue, or stress during intense training periods. Working under professional supervision, I also improved my communication and counseling skills by observing athlete consultations and understanding how trust, clarity, and motivation play crucial roles in dietitian-athlete interactions. This multidisciplinary experience, which often involved collaboration with coaches and healthcare providers, gave me valuable insight into the teamwork required to support athletes’ overall well-being and performance. Overall, my internship at Gökhan Çelik Clinic significantly enhanced my knowledge and practical understanding of sports nutrition. It allowed me to see the real-life application of theoretical concepts such as energy systems, nutrient timing, and performance optimization, while also strengthening my skills in counseling, individualized planning, and professional collaboration. This experience motivated me to further specialize in sports nutrition and equipped me with the tools to contribute effectively to athletes’ health, recovery, and success.

During my internship at the Renkli Diet Clinic, I had the opportunity to observe and participate in various aspects of individual nutrition counseling. I was actively involved in daily case evaluations, where I analyzed client histories, dietary patterns, and lifestyle factors to support the development of tailored nutrition strategies. This experience provided me with valuable exposure to the practical application of theoretical nutrition knowledge in a real-world clinical setting. A key responsibility during this internship was assisting with the interpretation of body composition analyses. I learned how to evaluate data such as body fat percentage, muscle mass, basal metabolic rate, and hydration status, and how these metrics inform the design of individualized nutrition plans. This process deepened my understanding of the role of anthropometric and biochemical assessments in shaping effective dietary interventions. In addition, I contributed to the preparation of personalized nutrition recommendations that addressed clients’ unique health conditions, goals, and preferences. This included strategies for weight management, improving metabolic health, supporting balanced eating habits, and promoting sustainable lifestyle changes. By working under professional supervision, I was able to strengthen my counseling approach, focusing on clear communication, empathy, and motivation to improve client adherence and long-term success. Beyond technical knowledge, this internship enhanced my ability to work in a structured clinical environment, manage documentation, and observe the importance of client follow-up in monitoring progress. I also developed a greater appreciation for the holistic nature of nutrition counseling, where psychological, social, and cultural factors play as important a role as dietary prescriptions. Overall, my experience at the Renkli Diet Clinic allowed me to expand my skills in nutrition assessment, counseling, and individualized care. It reinforced my motivation to specialize in dietetics and prepared me to contribute effectively to both clinical and private practice settings by providing evidence-based, client-centered nutrition support.

During my internship at Dietitian Müjgan Arı Clinic, I gained practical experience in supporting day-to-day clinical nutrition practices. I assisted in the evaluation of nutrition diaries, identifying eating habits and areas for improvement, and contributed to the creation of personalized meal plans based on clients’ needs and health conditions. I also applied portion control strategies and supported the implementation of dietary adjustments in line with individual goals.This role enhanced my skills in client communication, problem-solving, and adapting nutrition strategies to real-life challenges. I learned to work in a professional clinical environment, improved my ability to translate theoretical knowledge into practice, and strengthened my organizational skills through accurate documentation and follow-up of client progress. Overall, this experience prepared me to contribute effectively to clinical teams and provide evidence-based, client-centered nutrition support.