University of Arizona College of Pharmacy Japan 2018!: Final Thoughts

We have been back from Japan for almost 2 weeks. Students are back to school and we are are all back to work. Memories of our experiences will fade, but I hope, with the help of our blog and the many thousands photos everyone took (I took over 1600, and about 1150 are posted on Facebook, (www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10156220720699473&type=1&l=1fad148190)), the experiences will stay with everyone. Thanks to those of you who have followed our adventures (we have almost 15,000 page views at the time of this writing). I know the students really appreciate your support.

This was the 5th year UACOP/IPSF and I have led a PharmD student study abroad trip, and this was our 3rd trip to Japan. While the activities each time are mostly the same, each trip is unique. We had 21 fabulous UA PharmD students with us, the largest group to date. These students are our best and brightest, and I know my profession's future is in good hands. The most gratifying aspects for me about these trips are getting to know the students as we travel and spend 10 days together, and seeing Japan through their eyes. Every student is unique, and each group develops its own unique culture. I enjoyed being with and getting to know each and every one of you. I know the schedule was packed, that we didn't always do things that every student wanted to do, and it was really hot and humid every day. I admittedly try to pack as many activities into the trip as possible--after all, how often does one go to Japan? I appreciate the students' continued enthusiasm and excitement throughout the trip, even when you were tired, and your support of each other. One unique aspect this year was having a majority of students from our Phoenix campus. Since the Tucson- and Phoenix-based students have little opportunity to get to interact, this was a great opportunity for these students to get to know each other. I hope these students will help the College work towards strengthening the bonds between the Tucson and Phoenix campuses.

I want to thank the 2 "chaperones" who accompanied me, my wife, Tomomi Katz and my co-worker, Akiko Ota. Managing a large group is challenging, and their logistical skills, patience, enthusiasm and Japanese language abilities were key to the success of this trip.

If you read the students' post-trip reflections, many commented on the the hospitality and warmth of our Japan hosts. Until you have experienced that aspect of Japanese culture, it is impossible to really explain or understand, but the planning, hospitality, caring and friendship from our KGU friends and colleagues (particularly Nakagawa (Sari)-sensei, Shirakawa (Sho)-sensei, Takano-sensei and Kamiya-sensei from Kobe Gakuin University, Uejima-sensei and Niki-sensei from Osaka University and all the students from both universities) made our visit truly special and memorable.

My hope is that after our trip, each Japan 2018 student will have a broader view of the world, be eager for future international travel adventures, and to place the best parts of our experience into your hearts forever.

We are already starting to work on next summer's trip to Thailand, and we are even discussing Japan 2020. I hope some of you will follow our future adventures.