Undergrad Student Spotlight: Veronica Samala

For many students, studying abroad offers more than the opportunity to visit a new country; it provides an experience in healthcare, pharmacy, and culture from perspectives that are not fully captured in a classroom. Veronica Samala just returned from the 2026 study abroad trip to Thailand and also traveled in 2025 on a trip to Japan. Last year was the first year the Coit College of Pharmacy made the study abroad program available to undergraduate students, and Samala was eager to take advantage of both opportunities.  

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Through the international experiences in Japan and Thailand, Samala gained firsthand insight into how different countries approach healthcare and pharmacy practice while developing a deeper appreciation for cultural differences. In Japan, one of her most memorable experiences was visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto with her penpals, where she drew a “Great Fortune” slip. While in Thailand, food became an important part of her cultural experience, with her tour guide, Jonglak, introducing the group to local restaurants and street food stalls.

Her experiences with pharmaceutical practices were equally impactful. In Japan, Samala visited Yuyama, a pharmaceutical company that manufactures medical equipment, where she saw tablet and powder packing machines, vial-filling machines, and a chemotherapy machine capable of automating the compounding of a vial of anti-cancer medication in approximately four minutes.

She was also surprised by differences in over-the-counter medication practices. When purchasing the NSAID Loxonin, Samala was directed to a pharmacy counter, where she completed a questionnaire with a pharmacist before making her purchase. Japan’s classification system for over-the-counter medications varies by level, with some medications requiring pharmacist guidance.

Thailand offered another contrast. Samala was surprised to learn that antibiotics could be obtained over the counter without a prescription. She also visited a community pharmacy and accompanied pharmacy students on home visits, an experience that gave her a new perspective on community-based care. “From my understanding, home visits aren’t as common here in the U.S.,” Samala said. “Being able to have that face-to-face interaction with the local community was very impactful.”

Traditional medicine was another important part of this experience. In Japan, Samala observed the use of kampo, a traditional form of medicine, in community and hospital pharmacies. In Thailand, she saw traditional practices incorporated through herbs and massage therapy, including hot herbal compresses used at a hospital.

The trips also allowed Samala to connect with students from around the world. In Japan, she developed relationships with university penpals and interacted with pharmacy students and faculty. At Mahidol University in Thailand, she met students from Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia and learned about the differences between pharmacy education systems. These experiences ultimately strengthened Samala’s cultural competence and encouraged her to become a better communicator.

“These experiences made me more aware of how much I had to learn when it came to their respective countries,” she said. “I’ve become more aware of the differences in healthcare and religion, and it encourages me to further improve my communication skills.”

Although Samala believes studying abroad can be transformative, she also recognizes the financial and professional barriers that can make international experiences difficult for students. Airfare, lodging, food, transportation, and the opportunity cost of being away from school or other commitments can all play a role. For Samala, studying abroad should therefore remain an opportunity rather than a requirement.

“Studying abroad gives you incredible opportunities to expand your understanding of the world,” she said. “I believe that I’ve become a more confident person after each trip.”

Her experiences in Japan and Thailand ultimately gave her more than memories of new places. They broadened her understanding of healthcare, strengthened her cultural awareness, and offered a glimpse into the many ways pharmacy can serve communities around the world.

Q & A

What inspired you to pursue a Bachelor of Science at the Coit College of Pharmacy?

• I was inspired because of its versatility. Its roots are in science, but you’re not restricted to it – pharmaceutical science blends math, history, literature, law, and marketing; it has the ability to teach you about so many different things and take you down different avenues.
   

Which course or subject has been the most challenging for you, and how did you overcome it?

• Organic Chemistry I and II have been the most challenging, mostly because I was still learning how to manage my time. I had a loaded class schedule then, and organic chemistry is something that requires a lot of practice and pattern recognition. Supplemental instruction and exam reviews helped to give me structured, routine practice, and a great study group helped to keep me motivated.
   

Can you describe a particular project or research you’ve worked on that you found especially rewarding?

• I found that my time doing research in the Cherrington lab has been incredibly rewarding. My mentor is studying how heat can affect drug metabolism and chemical toxicity and what that could mean for people’s health. Initially, I was helping to run experiments focusing on CYP enzymes, but was later given UGT enzymes to look into. I had no lab experience going in, but seeing how I’ve been able to practice and develop my lab skills while expanding my knowledge has been incredibly rewarding.
   

What’s one study habit or routine that has been essential to your success?

• Using a planner to write out all quizzes, exams, assignments, and events helps to keep me organized so I can plan ahead better. Flashcards have also become my best friend for studying this semester.
   

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the undergraduate program?

• I’d tell people to get involved and talk to people! Even if it’s pretty generic advice, all of my opportunities have come from me initially being scared or thinking that I’m underqualified. I realize that everything I’ve put myself into (even if they haven’t always succeeded) has come out as a net positive. I was able to join a research lab that aligned with my interests because I went to the yearly PharmSci Undergraduate Research Networking event. I was able to visit Japan and Thailand and learn about pharmacy because my advisor told me that Dr. Katz’s trip was open to undergraduates. There’s a lot of incredible opportunities and experiences available and waiting for undergrads, we just have to take the leap and actually go for them.