University of Iowa, Maiko Sakai (6th-year student, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, at the time)

There are two main reasons why I am glad I participated in the Advanced Overseas Hospital Clerkship.

First, I was able to experience the reality of overseas medical settings firsthand. In the United States, where I did my clerkship, I felt that pharmacists have a wider scope of practice than in Japan. What particularly impressed me was that pharmacists and pharmacy students who had completed their training were administering vaccinations in pharmacies and other settings, and that pharmacy students were responsible for most of the COVID-19 vaccinations. Additionally, I observed that technicians handled tasks like picking medications, which allowed pharmacists in the US to dedicate more time to patient-facing duties. By participating in the Advanced Overseas Hospital Clerkship, I was able to learn things I didn't have the opportunity to learn during my fifth-year hospital clerkship alone, as well as the differences between Japan and other countries.

Second, I was able to experience a foreign culture firsthand. The University of Iowa, where I did my clerkship, is located near the center of town, so I could easily stop by cafes or go shopping on my way back from the clerkship. The faculty at the university and hospital where I trained, as well as the owner of the house where I stayed, were very kind to me, and on my days off, they would show me around town or invite me to watch sporting events. Everything I encountered during my three-week stay was new and a valuable experience.

My biggest concern about participating in the Advanced Overseas Hospital Clerkship was my English ability, but there was time between deciding to participate and the start of the clerkship, and there were also preparatory classes, so I was able to prepare thoroughly. Also, by reviewing material during my free time during the clerkship, I believe I was able to learn even more. Therefore, I recommend that you participate if you are even slightly interested. I am sure it will be an experience that you cannot easily get elsewhere.