Coit College of Pharmacy Hosts International Students
The R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy was honored to host Meijo University and Aichi Gakuin University (AGU) this past spring, welcoming nine students and three faculty members to tour the campus, participate in lectures from University of Arizona faculty, and learn about pharmacy education in the United States. The visit, which took place over nine days, is part of a study abroad program that the college has created in conjunction with multiple Japanese institutions as a way to offer cultural, pharmaceutical, and educational exchange opportunities for students.
The college typically hosts a short advanced clinical pharmacy program twice in the spring for international visitors. Institutional partners with the college include Kobe Gakuin University, who hosts the summer study abroad program for PharmD students. This latest trip was a joint venture between the three universities, allowing Japanese students the chance to learn about pharmacy education around the world.
The goals of this study abroad experience are to provide Japanese pharmacy students with an understanding of U.S. pharmacy education, pharmacy practice, and the U.S. healthcare system, while encouraging comparisons between practices in Japan and the United States. Through educational sessions, patient case discussions, and visits to pharmacy-related facilities (such as community pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, and the Arizona Poison Control Center), students gain exposure to diverse aspects of pharmacy practice in the U.S.
The program also promotes internationalization by providing Japanese visiting students and faculty with opportunities to learn about U.S. culture, engage with healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds, and build relationships with U of A students and faculty. These interactions create a mutually beneficial learning environment in which both Japanese and U of A pharmacy students broaden their global perspectives, enhance intercultural competency, and strengthen their ability to collaborate across cultures. Thus, the program supports the college’s mission to educate future leaders, professionals, and innovators in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences within an increasingly interconnected global setting.
During their visit, Meijo and AGU students and faculty participated in lectures such as Pharmacy Education in the US, Emergency Medicine Pharmacy, Pharmacoeconomics in the U.S., and Pharmacy Education and Training in the World, featuring presentations from RKCCOP faculty on India, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar. They were also taken on tours of AZPDIC, Banner-University Medical Center, and a local CVS Pharmacy. Michael Katz, PharmD, clinical professor emeritus and director of international programs, led several foundational activities for the group, alongside Akiko Ota, admissions and scholarships coordinator for the college.
Akiko Ota, RKCCOP Admissions and Scholarships Coordinator
“As someone who was born and raised in Japan and later came to the United States as an exchange student, I have experienced firsthand the impact that international education can have on a person’s life,” Ota shared. “Working with Japanese students and faculty through our international programs allows me to give back to my home country while strengthening global connections through pharmacy education.”
With over 100 visits to Japan in the past 15 years, Katz knows the importance of studying abroad. He led the 2025 cohort of PharmD students during their trip to Kobe last fall, guiding and enriching the cultural exchange the visits encourage. By interacting with their international peers, students develop not only academic insight but also cultural competence, an increasingly vital skill in today’s interdisciplinary and global healthcare environment. The program fosters trust, collaboration, and mutual learning, in addition to cultural immersion by way of group meals, outings, and academic instruction. Ota cites these aspects of the international program as one of the most rewarding parts of her role with the college.
Visiting students host a presentation on origami for UA staff and students
“I enjoy helping Japanese students broaden their perspectives by encouraging them to explore new ideas, connect with people from diverse backgrounds, and experience cultures beyond their own,” she added. Because they have the opportunity to be immersed in new and different environments in the U.S., Japanese students are able to take away invaluable personal, professional, and academic growth from the program, inspiring them to become future leaders, educators, and innovators with a global mindset. This is the driving goal behind the college’s International Program, and the chance to give back to host universities is an academic and professional honor.
“Supporting these programs is meaningful to me both professionally and personally,” Ota concluded. “It allows me to honor my Japanese roots while helping to develop globally minded professionals who can make a positive impact in Japan and around the world.”
Visitors from Nagoya City University will join the college in 2027, continuing the proud tradition of providing transformative educational experiences that allow students to immerse themselves in a new culture, expand their academic horizons, and gain a global perspective in their field of interest. The Coit College of Pharmacy will be conducting an international visit of its own this summer in Bangkok. Thailand, including professional instruction at two local pharmacy schools and a wide variety of cultural activities. Seven undergraduate and PharmD students plan to attend, alongside Ota and Katz.
Upcoming study abroad opportunities are periodically featured in the PharmCat Weekly and Rx Monthly newsletters. To learn more about international programs and PharmD Global, contact Michael Katz. Read more about last year’s international trip to Kobe here.