Exploring Global Pharmacy: Coit College of Pharmacy Students Study Abroad in Thailand
This past summer, six undergraduate and Doctor of Pharmacy students embarked on a 12-day study abroad trip to Bangkok, Thailand. The group was hosted by Mahidol University, Chulalongkorn University, and Siam University, visiting with the pharmaceutical sciences faculty and students of each institution for intercultural dialogue and education. The program offers students a closer look at Thailand’s pharmacy education system and healthcare system.
Studying abroad provides a unique educational experience for American pharmacy students, allowing them to immerse themselves in different cultures, academic contexts, and new global perspectives. The program is an opportunity to explore outside of the standard classroom setting, fostering personal and professional growth while expanding horizons and familiarity with diverse cultures. For students at the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, studying abroad provides invaluable insight into how medication therapy, patient care, and healthcare systems function within different cultural and regulatory contexts.
On August 3, the group visited Mahidol University to tour the campus and connect with Mahidol and ASEAN students. The next day included a trip to Chulalongkorn University, where students explored the Osotsala community pharmacy and the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (KCMH), with guided tours of the Stroke and Internal Medicine units. Further tours included Siriraj Hospital and Remathibodi Hospital, focusing on Ambulatory Care, Clinical and Inpatient Pharmacy, and Robotics, before an introduction to Thai Traditional Medicine. The visit concluded with tours of Siam University, BKK Primary Home Health Care, and Roenya Community Pharmacy.
Throughout the journey, students had many opportunities to experience the beauty and culture of Thailand, whether exploring local parks and temples, discovering bustling shopping districts, or enjoying traditional Thai cuisine. The trip included the opportunities to sightsee in the historic cities of Bangkok and Aytthaya, including noteworthy sites such as the Grand Palace, the ancient ruins of Wat Mahathat and Wat Chaiwatthanaram, local market places, the Living Green Elephant Sanctuary, and temples such as Wat Arun. Ample free time allowed students to further explore Bangkok and its surrounding areas on their own.
One of the most enriching aspects of the program is the cultural exchange it encourages. By interacting with their Thai peers, students develop not only academic insight but also cultural competence, an increasingly vital skill in today’s interdisciplinary and global healthcare environment. The cultural and academic partnership between the Coit College of Pharmacy and Thai pharmacy educators strengthens the foundation for this program, fostering trust, collaboration, and mutual learning.
Maria Gonzalez Arias | PharmD, Class of 2028
- What advice would you give other students considering studying abroad?
- I would recommend doing some research before considering it. Research the type of food in the country you are interested in and the sightseeing activities you are interested in doing. If you have never had that country’s food, go visit a restaurant that sells it and try it. If made aware beforehand, research the schools you are visiting. If there are any questions that come up, feel free to ask everyone you might know that has been to that country. Use the resources that are made available to you before the trip.
- What did a typical day look like for you in Thailand?
- A typical day in Thailand started before meeting at the hotel lobby with the group. Me and my roommate, Liz, would go to 7-11 or cafes nearby to get something to eat for breakfast. We would then meet in the lobby of the hotel with the rest of the group at around 7:30-8:00AM. We would then meet up with our great tour guide Jonglak. Sometimes, she would bring us some traditional breakfast or snack for us to try. We would then drive to the respective school we were going to that day. We would meet up with the representative of that school, and meet a few students from that university. We tour the school with the students and the representatives as our guides. In the tour, we would see the environment where they took classes and visited their community pharmacies. Once that is done, we would eat lunch and then visit a hospital that would be associated with the school. After the visits to the hospitals or the last activity of the day, we would go sightseeing. We visited temples, traditional markets, different shopping centers, museums and famous streets around Bangkok. After some sightseeing, we would drive back to the hotel and have the rest of the night for ourselves. Liz and I typically found somewhere to eat dinner and go shopping.
- How does the role of pharmacists in Thailand differ from what you’ve observed in the United States?
- The role of a pharmacist in Thailand seemed to overlap with some of the roles taken by a pharmacist in the United States, while also having its differences. The pharmacist had to supervise the working environment in both outpatient and inpatient pharmacies. The biggest difference I have noticed is the role that traditional medicine holds in Thailand. The elderly in Thailand tend to avoid using modern medicine, and lean more into using herbs and massage techniques to treat their conditions. Pharmacists have a big part to take when it comes to traditional medicine – there is a lot of research currently being done regarding the efficacy of herbs they have and how they must be used. Traditional herbal medicine is not as widely known or used in the United States, but in Thailand they have to be extra careful as patients do not tend to consider herbs as medicines, so they may not report they are using it and may interact with other medication.
- Were there any unique Thai pharmaceutical practices or technologies that surprised you?
- A very unique pharmaceutical practice they have in Thailand is home visits. Pharmacists and pharmacy students practice a lot of home visits in order to make sure the patient is adhering to the use of their medication. In the United States, it feels like patients might be wary of strangers, even if they are medical professionals, going into their houses just to make sure they are taking their medication correctly. Whereas in Thailand, patients waited with their doors open and were very open to talk about any issues they may encounter, whether medication related or not.
- Do you think studying abroad should be a standard part of pharmacy education? Why or why not?
- As amazing as the opportunity was to experience the pharmacy world in a different country, it is not a realistic expectation to require studying abroad to be a part of pharmacy education. This is mainly because not everyone can afford to go to a different country and have to worry about paying for a hotel and other spendings, while also having to worry about paying their bills and different expenses at home. A lot of students may also live at home, which leads to the expectations of having permission from their parents and the money to have the expenses paid in order to be able to go abroad. It feels great to have the chance to do it, but depending on people’s day to day, it just does not feel realistic to have it as a standard part of the education.
The students were guided through the trip by Michael Katz, PharmD, and Akiko Ota. Ota is the RKCCOP Admissions and Scholarships Coordinator, and Katz is a clinical professor emeritus and the director of international programs.
“The benefits of our summer study abroad program, a mix of professional and fun activities, are not only to learn about pharmacy practice and education in another country, but to spend some time with and get to know local students and to learn about the culture of the country we are visiting,” Katz shared. “International experiences can be life-changing, and I want my students to learn that while pharmacy and life is different in Thailand vs the US, we share many common professional and life experiences and attitudes.”
Katz’s guidance and insights add depth and context to the experience, helping students navigate and reflect on their academic and cultural discoveries. Ultimately, study abroad programs like this do more than educate; they inspire. Students return not only with new knowledge but with a broader worldview and a deeper understanding of their role as future pharmacy professionals.
For next summer’s study abroad trip, students are returning to Japan, with plans currently underway for the next cohort of traveling scholars. The trip will combine Japanese pharmacy practice and education, cultural and social activities, great food, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. More information is coming soon, but to learn more about how you can participate in the study abroad program, contact Michael Katz. To view the full photo album, visit our Flickr page.