Seungri Kang, University of Iowa

I had the incredible opportunity to spend six weeks in Tokyo, Japan, with the generous support and kindness of so many people at Keio University and beyond. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience--one that I believe could even change the course of my life. Though six weeks may seem like a short time, it was long enough for me to visit a variety of institutions, including hospitals and pharmacies, and to gain a deeper understanding of Japan both culturally and systemically. More than just broadening my perspective, this experience allowed me to form meaningful connections--relationships that I could never have made anywhere else, and ones that I will always treasure. Japan's healthcare and pharmacy education systems differ in many ways from those in the U.S. For example, the pharmacy curriculum in Japan has a different structure, and Keio University stands out with its strong emphasis on research, which contrasts with the practice-oriented training often found in the U.S. One particularly memorable part of my experience was learning about Kampo, a traditional Japanese herbal medicine. Since herbal medicine isn't commonly used in the U.S., visiting places like the Tsumura Kampo Museum and observing the dispensing of Kampo medicines in pharmacies gave me a rare opportunity to engage with this field firsthand. I am deeply grateful to the professors who supported this program and to the students who shared this journey with me. If given the chance, I would love to return to Japan in the future.