Ahmad El Ouweini
IPSF Pharmacy Education Newsletter Editor 2016-2017
Internship Reports – Live the Outstanding Ex-
I
perience with Our Past Interns' Words
n this article, we are going to present to the esteemed readers some parts of the internship reports that were written by students who did their internship in various professional places through the IPSF widely renowned and strongly influential internship program. The following words, certainly, will carry the excitement, positive change, and unforgettable life-long experience these students have witnessed during their internship period. We will start our journey with Ms. Simona Dragieva, from Bulgaria, who has successfully completed an FIP internship in The Hague, Netherlands, between September and December 2014. Simona told us: "If back before August of that hot and long summer of 2014, anyone had told me I would be going to FIP World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, I would have giggled with disbelief. I never thought that I would be fortunate enough to start my internship in Bangkok, Thailand as part of the amazing FIP staff and pharmacists, students and scientists from all over the world. I could not believe the opportunity that unveiled before me in a short period of time. I immediately accepted the challenge and took multiple plane rides across the world. Who knew that this pharmacy student from Bulgaria, studying and living in Kansas will be flying to Thailand and afterwards, settling in the Netherlands? After the initial shock, I quickly gathered thoughts, 38
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motivation and ideas for my next step as an intern. I took full advantage of the Congress program, the networking opportunities and helped my supervisor, Oliver Van Der Spek. Since I was part of the Marketing and Business Development team, I was able to start by looking for ways to expand services to FIP members and reach out to pharmacists with suggestions and opportunities for them to voice their concerns. Talking to a great number of talented pharmacists with diverse practices, opinions and experiences, was something I would never forget. I am extremely thankful for being part of the World Congress. In addition, I met many talented IPSF members and I do have to admit, the IPSF booth was my safe haven, my “homey” feeling for the day. After a couple of weeks spent getting acquainted to the Netherlands and working some from the wonderfully small IPSF flat, I clearly remember my first day walking into the office. It was one of those rare sunny days in the Netherlands. I biked with the IPSF bike, which I later substituted with my very own bike, entered the FIP/IPSF office, introduced myself to everyone and began my work. The international perspective of my internship, the influential professionals I had met, the projects I learned about and the skills I had gained shaped me into a better professional and global health advocate. I am more aware of cultures, countries and issues faced by people abroad. This eye-opening experience is making me even more driven to succeed. I plan to pursue an international
path in pharmacy. Despite the rocky road that may be lying ahead, I am choosing to pick a challenge and follow my dreams. The strength and lessons learned I have gained will be beneficial in the journey I am pursuing after graduation. IPSF and FIP will continue to be part of my professional career and take a special spot in my life.” Our next guest is Ms. Amber from Canada who was also enrolled in the FIP Internship program. She started by talking about her background and motivation for the participation in such a program. "The year was 2011. When I had time apart from student related activities such as attending class, sleeping, studying, and cursing the curriculum, I was very confused about what I wanted to do with my degree and with my career. I was in my third year of pharmacy, and I knew that I didn’t want a traditional career of working in the pharmacy. It didn’t matter which pharmacy chain or if it was in the hospital setting. I only knew that I felt the most in my element doing public health courses or engaging materials from health systems classes. Personally, the birds-eye view on systems in general is a far more appealing vantage point." Furthermore, about her expectations of the program and the mentorship she had, she stated: " My expectations for the FIP internship was to learn more about pharmacy in a global arena. As aforementioned, I did not know what I wanted to do, and I wanted to gain different perspectives on what is available for pharmacy graduates. At my internship, I had three mentors who gave me directions on what tasks to focus on and interesting ideas to think about. One mentor was giving me an introduction into the marketing area of pharmacy and helped me with adjusting to life in the Netherlands. The other gave me insight into the policy arena of pharmacy, and resources available to gain the
most updated details on diseases in the global perspective. The third mentor introduced me to the media and publications that FIP focuses on. In all, I am very grateful for their roles in sparking a renewed interest in pharmacy. Though, I must say, everyone I met through this experience had a hand in mentoring me in some way." For every lively and memorable life experience, there should be some unanticipated, stunning moments and events that add their own magic touch into our lives. For Amber, she described this as: " For me the most unexpected thing that happened during the internship was my first attendance at the IPSF World Congress in Egypt. It was a very last minute decision, and it was on the advice of one of my mentors from the internship. To this day, I am very grateful for her encouragement in this respect. For as you can see now, 2 years later, and I’ve met and gotten inspired by IPSFers all over the world. I am honestly very happy that I discovered IPSF when I did. I was amazed to meet young fresh minds with inspiring visions of the future." Last, but not least, comes our student who experienced her Internship program at the WHO. She shared with us the benefits and unique practice period she passed through. Ms. Kaouth Zribi from Tunisia, who had her internship at the Department of Essential Medicines and Health Products - Quality assurance - World Health Organization – Geneva. She spent roughly two months from July 10th to September 6th, 2013. Kaouther said: Following the call for an internship at the WHO Quality assurance department, I sent my application. I was selected among twenty other students. During this internship, I learned about the World Health Organization, how it is run and its different departments, especially the Quality Assurance Department. The main objective of this internship was to participate in the update of The International Pharmacopoeia published
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Inside IPSF