University of Iowa: Tamaki Masuhara (6th year, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy *at the time)

I recently spent five weeks at the University of Iowa in Iowa, USA, where I had the opportunity to learn deeply about the American healthcare system. After graduating from university, I plan to enroll in Doctoral Programs and engage in basic research. As a graduate of a six-year Faculty of Pharmacy, I believe that having insights from clinical practice is a strength in my research activities. I undertook this study abroad program with the goal of experiencing firsthand what kinds of pharmaceuticals are needed in overseas clinical settings and the realities of the underlying medical systems, in order to achieve my goal of producing "research results that can contribute to global healthcare."

What impressed me most through this practical training was the high level of expertise of pharmacists in the United States.

I experienced participating in team-based medical care under pharmacists working in psychiatry, infectious diseases, and hepatology. It was very impressive to see pharmacists building strong relationships of trust with other healthcare professionals through close daily communication and actively offering opinions on treatment plans based on their advanced specialized knowledge.

I was also surprised by the high level of pharmacy education at the University of Iowa. I often saw pharmacy students interacting with patients and engaging in discussions with physicians independently of their preceptors. Furthermore, the Faculty of Pharmacy building is equipped with a practice space that mimics a pharmacy, where students can record their counseling practice and receive specific feedback from faculty members. Seeing such a practical educational environment firsthand made me realize the high quality of their education.  

In addition to the training, I had an irreplaceable time reuniting with exchange students who had previously visited Japan and deepening my friendship with local pharmacy students over meals.

Furthermore, at my accommodation, I lived with people from outside Iowa, as well as students, doctors, and researchers with different specialties, and was able to interact with them during breakfast and dinner.

Experiencing the differences in foreign medical systems and cultures firsthand and interacting with people from diverse backgrounds was an extremely meaningful experience that greatly broadened my perspective. These five weeks are a treasure that I will never forget for the rest of my life.