Jiyoon Han is a first-year student at the University of Michigan School of Nursing. Born in Korea, but having spent most of her childhood in the suburbs of New Jersey since age 5, she has always navigated a life shaped by two cultures. Whether she celebrates American Thanksgiving over her grandmother’s savory rice cakes or Korean holidays over a slice of pizza, ‘cuisine’ has grown into a versatile concept for her. 

The cross-culturalism of her plate has worked its way into her love for writing, which holds a special place in her heart. As a nursing student, her keen interest in well-being and self-care intersects with journaling as an outlet. Exhibiting this is her research paper, An Evaluation of Mental Health in Educational Institutions, which was published at the 33rd International RAIS Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities. Within food journalism, Jiyoon draws on a special dish in Korean cuisine, miyeok-guk, to explore the essence of her birthplace and heritage.