University of Iowa, Sano Tanaka (6th year, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy *at the time)

I completed a four-week practicum at the University of Iowa. As someone pursuing a career as a pharmacist, I applied for this program to learn about the differences in the roles of pharmacists in Japan and overseas and to gain a broad perspective on pharmacists, pharmacy, and medicine.

In the first week, we had classes specifically for us on topics such as the unique US insurance system and pharmacists, audited classes taken by University of Iowa students, and visited community pharmacies. The second through fourth weeks were for practicums at hospitals and clinics. For the hospital practicum, I participated by shadowing students who were also in training.  

The most impressive thing I observed during the practicum was the proactive attitude of the local students toward their training. Under the title of “Student Pharmacist,” they performed pharmacist duties almost independently from their supervising pharmacists. The tasks the students performed included, for example, face-to-face and telephone communication with patients and making entries in electronic medical records. I was impressed by the wealth of knowledge of the American students and their behavior, which was just like that of a professional pharmacist. On the other hand, community-based activities such as home healthcare and school pharmacists are not as common in the US as they are in Japan, so the practicum also led me to reaffirm the positive aspects of Japan.

After classes and on weekends, the university staff provided generous support to enrich our one-month stay, and we were able to have a wonderful time every day. Since one of the goals of this practicum was to interact with foreign cultures and people, there were many new discoveries and inspirations, making it a fulfilling month. The people of Iowa were also incredibly kind, and the days were heartwarming. I cannot thank my professors and the friends I made there enough.

I applied for this practicum during the additional recruitment period, but it turned out to be such a meaningful and valuable experience that I regret not applying from the beginning. Life in a quiet place, far from the hustle and bustle of the city, also became a wonderful memory that I could not have had in Tokyo. I strongly encourage many people to take on this challenge.