Global Experience at Keio University

While it was eye-opening to see the similarities and differences between pharmacy practice in Japan and the U.S., my favorite part about this rotation has to be the students I encountered at Keio University.
Japanese culture is unlike anything I have ever experienced before, so it did not go unnoticed that the students went above and beyond to ensure that Megan and I felt comfortable.

Our global network has really expanded, and it is comforting to know that we have a family that will welcome us with open arms if we ever go back to Japan!

My favorite part of our global rotation in Japan was learning about Kampo.
Herbal medicine is not typically included in the pharmacy school curriculum in the United States.
The depth of knowledge and tradition embedded in these techniques provided a unique perspective on health and wellness.

My rotation at Keio University will be an unforgettable experience that will stay with me forever. During this time, I immersed myself in Japanese culture and gained a comprehensive understanding of Japanese medicine and health practices. And fortunately, I made numerous international connections and lifelong friendships with Keio University students, faculty, and many pharmacists in Tokyo and Kyoto.

The opportunities I encountered during this rotation exceeded my expectations. I participated in wet lab research, working with expensive machinery, live cell cultures, and mice specimens. It was truly inspiring to see the individual research being conducted by Keio University Students and their dedication to expanding their knowledge and understanding of medication. I engaged in activities related to Traditional Japanese Medicine, or Kampo Medicine. Visiting the Tsumura Kampo Museum, attending Kampo lectures and Kampo clinic, and mixing Kampo Decoctions in the pharmacy has provided me with a solid foundational understanding of Kampo medicine. With this knowledge, I look forward to educating American pharmacists about the utilization of herbal medicine and hope to see its integration into American medical practice in the near future. I was also fortunate to visit a variety of hospitals, community pharmacies, and pharmaceutical companies allowing me to gain a well-rounded understanding of different pharmacy practices in Japan.

Having the experience of learning another country's culture and medical practices is invaluable and will profoundly impact my future career. This experience has equipped me with advanced knowledge of pharmacy practice and the diverse perspective necessary to advance pharmaceutical practices in the United States. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity with Keio University which has provided me with a culturally enhancing and remarkably diverse international rotation!

I had an incredible and memorable experience immersed in Japan's unique and vibrant culture! The students of Keio University showed me different aspects of Japanese life and traditions. They took me beyond the usual tourist areas and showed me the intricate beauties of Japan through a local's perspective. This internship included an enriching cultural exchange that left a lasting impact on me and deepened my love for Japanese culture!

As a student from the University of Florida's College of Pharmacy in America, I was given the opportunity to attend an APPE rotation at Keio University's Faculty of Pharmacy. There I experienced many aspects of Japanese pharmacy practice ranging from clinical to retail. I got to witness Japanese pharmaceutical research first-hand, something not commonly found in pharmacy in America.

During my first week at Keio, I was welcomed in the pharmacodynamics lab. In America, we do not have research embedded into our curriculum so this was a unique experience. Throughout the week, I shadowed various students to get an extract of their experiments. We worked on various techniques and tools such as liquid spectrum chromatography, gel electrophoresis, DNA isolation, and tissue sampling.

During the hospital aspect, I noticed that a lot of the medication preparation was automated by pharmaceutical machineries. In America, we rely on technicians to do a lot of medication dispensing. In Japan, there are no technicians with pharmacists instead doing all the duties, but seem to still have less autonomy compared to pharmacists in America. There were many divisions of the pharmacy teams in the hospital. They focus on a more collaborative approach with the rest of the healthcare team with specific roles.

I learned about Japan's universal health care system. This insurance is different compared to America's private insurance which faces high costs leading to a lot of income disparities. Since Japan's healthcare is controlled by the government, there is a percentage for copay and a cap on the deductible for major treatments. This makes it so the healthcare is more affordable for its civilians where I surprisingly saw many patients pay for their hospital visits the same day.

Keio University included retail pharmacies for me to explore in Japan. I also noticed that retail pharmacies did not have any technicians which is vastly different to the American model of 1 pharmacist and 3 technicians. They all had Kampo medicine stocked and was very popular among the drugs of choice in the patients. There was a lot of single dose packaging that had the time and when to take the medications which is different because in America we just give the patient a whole bottle and do not separate. Pharmacists were very involved in the consultation of each drug provided to the patient in order to prevent any adverse outcomes.

Japan's regulatory affairs are similar yet distinct from America. The National Institute of Health Sciences in Japan conducts testing, research, and studies towards the proper evaluation of the quality, safety, and efficacy of pharmaceutical products, foods and numerous chemicals in the living environment. Their major responsibilities include extensive testing and research to ensure quality, efficacy, and safety of chemical substances that are closely related to people's lives.

Another interesting concept was Kampo medicine. I learned that Kampo medicine had its roots from ancient China that was introduced to Japan in around the 5th to 6th century. The museum was very interesting as I got to see the manufacturing process of the plant. At the museum, I got to see materials for crude drugs being delivered to the warehouse and processed to be sent out for distribution.

This APPE rotation was an extremely invaluable and unique experience where I had the chance to learn about Japanese pharmacy practice. The students and faculty were extremely helpful and kind. I am thankful for this opportunity and hope to return to Japan in the near future!

My internship experience at Keio University has been incredibly valuable to me as a pharmacy student from Khon Kaen University in Thailand. Encountering new things here has made me very happy and eager to learn. The first significant aspect was meeting the students from Keio University. Each of them was kind-hearted and considerate, assisting me in every way I needed. They also became good friends, taking me to various places in Japan and teaching me about Japanese culture and language. This experience has fostered a lasting friendship.

Additionally, interning at various hospitals and pharmacies in Japan allowed me to see the advanced technology used in the country's medical field, which I hope to apply in Thailand. I also greatly admire Keio University's educational system, especially the division of students into different labs for research paper projects, allowing them to choose their areas of interest. This is something I would love to see implemented in the Faculty of Pharmacy in Thailand, as it not only provides hands-on lab and research experience but also fosters positive interactions within the lab environment.

Lastly, I find this international internship exchange program to be excellent. If given the opportunity, I would love to participate again in the future. I also aspire to pursue further studies at Keio University and possibly work in Japan.

I would have deeply regretted not coming to Japan for the internship abroad program. During my stay as an exchange student, I have been fortunate to immerse myself in the Japanese academic environment by interacting with students, faculty, and professionals. I also had the valuable opportunity to observe the workflow in the pharmacy departments across various hospitals and community pharmacies.

At the hospital, I attended multidisciplinary team conferences and engaged in insightful discussions with the infection control team about antibiotic stewardship. In the community pharmacies, I observed the significant role of Kampo medicine, which is akin to Western medication.

Furthermore, I was privileged to participate in an intensive course on PK/PD/PMx at the Tonomachi campus, where I performed hands-on experiments. This opportunity allowed me to gain a better understanding of dose adjustment to achieve the targeted therapeutic range of medicines. Engaging with the Drug Informatics laboratory, I learned to utilize the FAERs online database and analyze information using the SAS program, with Mari's invaluable assistance. This experience underscored the significance of online databases in the pharmaceutical field.

I also had the chance to build a professional network by attending workshops and conferences, learning from experts, and gaining insights into the latest trends in pharmacy. On weekends, AAPE students kindly escorted us to various tourist destinations such as Asakusa, Enoshima Island, Odaiba City, Kamakura, and Hakone. They thoughtfully tailored the travel program to suit both my and my friend's interests.

Living and studying in a foreign country has helped me grow through challenges and opportunities, making me more adaptable, independent, and resilient.

To the AAPE and Keio students, I would like to express my deepest gratitude. You have been exceptional hosts and dear friends. Thank you so much for your warm welcome.

Take whatever you believe happens while studying abroad and toss it away. No matter how much research I completed, my experience in Tokyo, Japan was something I could not have been prepared for. Keio University is a wonderful university filled with generous staff and students. From the moment I arrived, to the time I left, there was always someone who offered help. I got to explore the culture, history and taste the amazing food in just one month.

There are several differences between the United States compared to Japan when it involves pharmacy practice. From the process of how the patients receive care and treatment to who is completing tasks and providing that care. The education students go through is held by a high standard. Student pharmacists must complete four years of education, one year of on-site training, and one year of research prior to completing Pharmacy School. Every student I spoke with was extremely kind and intelligent with big dreams that I know each will accomplish.

One of the most fascinating things I learned during my time was the focus on Kampo medication. Japanese Kampo Medicine is a traditional herbal alternative that has been integrated into their healthcare system. There are several departments and groups of researchers that are working on clinical trials that will support the use of Kampo medicine world-wide. In addition to learning and seeing first-hand how Kampo is used in Japan's community, I also got to see student pharmacists work on their research, visit several healthcare facilities, and participate in educational events.

This was a valuable opportunity that allowed me to compare different perspectives and expand my knowledge about pharmacy practice in a different part of the world. I look forward to coming back to Japan in the future and seeing what other innovations are made!

Firstly, I would like to say that my memories at Keio university are full of impressions and appreciation which I could not forget. I have been interned in clinical rotation at Keio university for a total of 6 weeks. I have experience in various fields more than I expected such as case studies practice in campus, hospitals, laboratories, community pharmacies, museums, etc. Every single place that I visited gave me valuable experiences especially because of the well-organized system and the high technological machine that included in every part of the work. Apart from the honor opportunity that I gained a lot of knowledge and practices, I also found really good friends from Keio university. I feel so grateful to know them. They not only helped me when I had problems, but also being like my close friend who always took care of me. Moreover, teachers and people at Keio are all so kind. So, there is no day I feel lonely.
I also attached photos I took on my first and last day at Keio with this message.