Student Exchange Programme

AUTORKA: MILENA MILOVANOVIĆ

Student Exchange Programme (program stručne studentske razmene) je projekat IPSF-a (International Pharmacy Students’ Federation) koji omogućava studentima da steknu radno iskustvo u jednoj od 80 zemalja širom sveta. Ove godine 58 studenta iz Srbije imalo je priliku da oseti šta znači SEP duh u državama po svom izboru . A mi smo imali zadovoljstvo da u Beogradu ugostimo 18 studenta iz Indonezije, Slovenije, SAD-a, Poljske, Španije, Hrvatske, Portugala i Češke. Studenti su svoju stručnu praksu obavljali u Kliničkom centru Srbije, apotekama „Beograd“ i na našem fakultetu. U slobodno vreme su obilazili znamenitosti, muzeje, uživali u srpskim specijalitetima i noćnom životu. Njihove utiske o praksi, Beogradu i Srbiji će vam preneti Lucie iz Češke i Daniel iz SAD-a.

How did you decide to come to Serbia?

Dan: Serbia offered a rotation site that would hopefully give me more insight on my future career goals. I also did not know much about the country and thought this experience would give me a good reason to learn more about the people and culture. Also, the program offered a lot of placements so I thought I would get to meet a lot of other students from around the world.

Lucie: First reason were empty places for students. My final decision was because I could be 5 weeks in the hospital pharmacy with opportunity to work with clinical pharmacist.

What were you first impressions about Belgrade/Serbia?

Dan: It was a lot hotter than I expected but the food was great.

Lucie: I think my first idea was “Wow, Belgrade looks really good. I did not expect that!” I saw interesting city with rich history and culture and across all Serbia magnificent nature. However, my biggest surprise were people. Every time I spoke with Serbian people, they were kind, helpful and friendly. At the beginning I thought it is coincidence, but every day it happened again and again - at the bus stop, in the shop and restaurant, in the street…

What did you like the most and what did you find unusual (compared to your country)?

Dan: I liked the food the most and what I found unusual compared to the US are the ideas of preserving historical sites. I also found the clothing restrictions at the school interesting.

Lucie: As written above, people were great. I also liked the organization from BPSA. It was easy to contact them when we wanted to go out to club, restaurant or just sightseeing. In my exchange, there were more students in the same time so I had no chance to be bored even for a minute. Unusual for me was food. Do not get me wrong, I like Serbian food – it is tasty, full of meat and - but in every restaurant it is similar – čevapi, pljeskavica, palačinka sweet or salt and white meat with bread or French fries. Where is rice? And what about fish, you do not like it?

Which Serbian words (phrases) did you learn?

Dan: Hvala, Dobra Dan, Ciao, Zdravo

Lucie: zdravo, dovidenja, hvala, čevapi, palačinka, biele maso, pljeskavica sa kajmakom, jedno pivo, pekara, pranie a susheni odenie, molim te, volim te, živjeli

Where did you have your practice and what were you doing there?

Dan: I spent the first two weeks of my practice at the Faculty and did research in the Biochemistry department. It was not entirely different from what I’ve experienced in the past but the people were great which made a memorable experience.

Lucie: I was at the hospital pharmacy in the Clinical Centre of Serbia. We visited other departments including Production Department for 4 days. Pharmacists showed us most of their daily routine and we were happy to try it out. They were patient and answered all our curious questions about clinical pharmacy and health care in Serbia.

What did you bring home from Serbia (souvenirs, food, drinks)?

Dan: Plazma, magnets, postcards, pictures, ticket stubs

Lucie: I bought one bottle of plum Rakija and one Vinjak. Then some bananas in chocolate, special tea, jam, ajvar and shirt with Putin´s face for my boyfriend as personal joke. I wanted to buy some beer, but I didn´t have enough space in my luggage. For myself I bought a lot of handmade earrings and some clothes.