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PHASE IV: Data Collection Phase / Duration: 2 weeks

In Phase III, I have divided my participants into two groups: face-to-face group and facebook group. Before phase III session ended, I have asked my participants to take photographs about: a) where they primarily shop for food, b) where they typically eat their favorite meal of the day, c) who do they eat with, and d) what kind of adjustments have they made to eating food in Denmark. Schedule for second meeting have been arranged and I met with them separately.

Group A: Face-to-face Group

After a week of taking their photographs, I have met with my face-to-group saturday evening at svanevej privatskole where they usually stay after their church services. Before the meeting, I asked the participants to choose 3 of their most meaningful photos and caption them. At the meeting, I have asked each participant to describe the picture they have captured as well as identify how their pictures describe their food experience in Denmark. We have a meaningful discussion, each participants discussing their experiences. Memos were given to participants, where they can write their thoughts and comments.

After sharing the stories behind their photographs, I asked the participants to identify themes that have come out from our discussion. The most common theme that emerged from the discussion was food and friendship. In addition, the participants tend to easily adapt the Danish eating habit because they agreed that it is more healthy.

After brainstorming for an overall theme that we will use, all participants answered feedback questionnaire about their experience.

Group B: Facebook Group

A day after I met with my face-to-face group, I arranged a meeting with my facebook group via facebook chats. It’s challenging because we need to be online at the same time, and as all of them are aupairs, we have to wait have for everybody to finish their chores. We finally started the discussion at 9 pm which, I think, is challenging because all of them are tired and would like to rest early as they have to start working early the next day.

Just like my face-to-face group, I asked my facebook group participants to describe their food experience in Denmark.

I also asked them to provide their comments or feelings about the photos during comments or exchange. However, another challenge was, because we are chatting, some of them will just send a thumbs-up sign.

Overall, we have a meaningful discussion. Each participant, despite the fact that it was past their bedtime, took time to share and discuss what they are asked to. And just like Group A, I also asked them to develop themes from our discussion and all of them agreed that their food experience in Denmark is healthier than in the Philippines. After the discussion, all participants were provided a feedback link for them to fill out.

My internship is almost done. And I have many experiences to reflect upon. It was indeed fruitful, as I’ve got to learn with them. Most importantly, I was able to compare which method works as a way to facilitate group discussion (face-to-face or facebook chats.) My last phase in this internship is coming up.. Will keep you updated :)

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PHASE III: Training Phase / Duration 1 week

Another challenge that I face in this project is setting up an appointment with my study participants since all of them have different work schedules. After several times of planning and changing the time when we could all meet, we finally agreed to meet at Svanevej 10 on 20th August (Saturday) at 19.00. However, 2 hours before the meeting, one of my participants had sent me a message that she cannot make it because of prior appointment that she forgot. Fortunately, another participant has another friend with her that time, and when I asked if she would like to participate, she immediately agreed.

All of them agreed that we could already start 30 minutes before the schedule since all of them are already there. I began by thanking them all for their willingness to participate in my project. I then Introduced myself, my education and explained the purpose of the project. My participants then introduced themselves, signed the consent form. They were also given questionnaires to answer. They were given a few minutes filling out general information about them.

I opened the discussion by asking all of them if their diet has changed since moving here in Denmark. The group discussion went pretty smooth. Although, most of my participants do not speak same dialect, language is not a problem as all them chose to speak English (eventhough I told them that they can speak in their native language). They told me that they will not give me a hard time transcribing :). However, as much as I don’t want distractions during the discussion, I cannot help it, as one of the participants have to answer her phone, one was playing with her pen making a distracting noise. I also observe that most them answer some of my questions at the same time, talking at the same time. Some of them are also silent, so I decided to ask them one by one to answer some of my questions. Our discussion was recorded using a dictaphone.

Our meeting ended after an hour and a half, and I can say that I have accomplished what I need to accomplish during this phase. It was a good discussion with them. I have learned about their struggles in adapting their new environment, most especially, I have learned that it is something personal. Before we ended the meeting, I explained to them the task that they should do for the next phase. And lastly, to show my appreciation to all them, I prepared Filipino dinner and dessert for all of us to enjoy before parting ways. :)

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PHASE II: Recruiting Phase: Duration 2 weeks

Here comes the challenge on this phase. In this project, one of my task is to recruit Filipinos to participate in this study. But the challenge is that they should meet all the criterias included to be able to participate. They must be a native from the Philippines, must live in Denmark for less than 3 years, and most importantly must be unmarried. I find it challenging because first, most Filipinos that I know are women and I really would like to include men in this project. Second, the Filipinos that I know are either married or have stayed here for more than 3 years. In addition, most of them are here under cultural exchange program, so they will leave Denmark after 2 years of contract. Fortunately enough, during the first week of this phase I was able to recruit 6 individuals who are willing to participate. However, on the second week on this phase, I found out that one the participants have been staying here for 5 years already. Third challenge is that because most them are staying with their host families, I can only meet them on the weekends as they are working during weekdays. So far, I now have 7 participants. Hopefully, before the week ends, I can recruit one more to complete my target. Next phase will be exciting as I am going to meet all them so stay tune for more updates :)

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PHASE I: Interview Guide and Refinement/ Duration: 1 week

In preparation for this project, I read study done by Amos and Lordly in 2014 entitled Picture This: A Photovoice Study of International Students’ Food Experience in Canada. This is to give me an idea on what are the things that I need to do for this project to be successful. During this phase, I prepared all the materials that I will be needing once I will meet with my study participants. I have created a questionnaire to obtain general information about the study participants. Also I created a feedback questionnaire in paper and online that should be provided to the participants at the end of our session. The validity of the interview guide that I created was tested among 2 international students at GNH.

A sample copy of the interview guide that I will using for my study participants.

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AIM:

1. To define and characterize fast casual restaurants.

2. To examine how transitionary diets are expressed among newly settled Filipinos in Denamrk.

3. To determine the overall diet quality of Filipinos in Denmark.

4. To test photovoice methods using traditional focus groups and using social media (i.e. facebook).

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About My Internship Project

I will be doing a research project at Metropolitan University College. Characterising perceived food environment among Filipinos in Denmark, this internship project will be used to test photovoice methods via social media, in preparation for community mapping approaches to be used in Arctic Appetite project.

This project will take in five phases. We will test the feasibility and adaptation of using photovoice methodology as a means to explore dietary transitions in a Danish context. In addition, this project is designed yo compare two forms of focus interviewing methods, face to face interviewing versus social media media focus groups (example facebook). Information from this study will be used to further develop photovoice and community mapping methodology to characterize food environments., choice and preference and explore issues of food security. Other potential applications of this study could be to identify interventions to ensure that people in transition in Denmark are able to access food that is healthy and preferred.

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Internship at Metropolitan University College

Welcome to my internship blog where I will document what I am doing for my first internship at Metropolitan University College :)

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