Fun First Day

Boy, the weather is a bit different here than in Arizona! I knew it was going to be humid, but not THIS humid. It’s going to take a couple of days to get used to, but with my trusty fan, I think I can survive.

Our first full day was incredibly busy, and so much better than I was expecting it to be! It started off with a Japanese breakfast that was different than anything I’ve tried before. There were a lot more pickled vegetables than I was used to that early in the morning. I’m not quite sure what most of the food was, but it was delicious anyway!  

After breakfast, we got our first interaction with Kobe Gakuin University. It was incredibly beautiful, and the grass there was real! We toured the university and its library, then we learned a bit more about what the students do by entering a clean room and watching a compounding demonstration.

The most exciting moment at the university was meeting my pen pals, Risa and Yuri! Both were so nice and fun to talk to. Like us, it seems like they are really busy with studying for their exams, but I can’t wait to see them again at the takoyaki party later this week. I am so thankful that the university is hosting us for the time that we are here, and the welcome lunch was a great experience!

It was so fun exploring the Sanomiya area today, too! It was really nice getting to know some of the girls from the Phoenix campus better, and it was such a fun way to do it. Getting melonpan (my new favorite), visiting China town and a shrine were all so exciting!

I think the best thing of all today was the firework festival. Coming from a city which has relatively large pyrotechnic shows, I thought I knew what I was getting into, but I was wrong. This was the most awe inducing firework show I have ever seen. I think it really set off the whole mood of the trip: starting with a bang!

I hope that tomorrow’s sightseeing trip to Nara is just a great as today was!

First Full Day in Japan

This marks the end of our first full day in Japan!  It was a great time getting to tour  Kobe Gakuin University and starting to learn a small bit of how pharmacies here work.  Going around the Sannomiya area of Kobe was definitely a bit of a culture shock.  I've never seen so many people in one place before; I definitely haven't experienced anything like riding the public trams before either. 

All in all, I'd say this was a great first full day of the trip.  We got to meet our pen pals and exchange gifts, have a nice welcome party, and then we got to walk around, shop, get some food, and experience some Japanese culture.  We then got to end the night with a stunning fireworks festival!

Looking forward to tomorrow and the new experiences it will bring!

Hello from Kobe

Just a quick post to let everyone know we made it safe and sound to Kobe.  The groups originating  from Phoenix and Tucson met in San Francisco for the flight to KIX (Osaka), and the 11 hour flight went smoothly. We were met at KIX by our host, Dr. Sari Nakagawa. We got our JR Rail passes and headed across Osaka Bay by ferry to Kobe. We finally made it to our hotel around 5:30pm. Everyone was prettty tired and needed a little rest and rehydration, around 7:30 pm a group went to a nearby conveyor belt sushi place for dinner. I think everyone crashed after that   Today we will spend the morning at Kobe Gakuin University, and the students will explore the Sannomiya area of Kobe this afternoon. This evening will attend the Kobe fireworks festival.

I will be posting lots of photos on my Facebook page--you . can view them at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10156220720699473.1073741868.635549472&type=1&l=1fad148190

Tucson group

Flight to Osaka

Osaka arrival

Super Mario!

Japan sunset

Conveyor belt sushi

Trevor didn't really eat that much

Japan breakfast

Trevor Bermingham

My name is Trevor Bermingham and I am a third year pharmacy student. Last year I had the pleasure of traveling to Thailand for the same purposes of this Japan trip and it was an absolutely amazing experience. However, I am especially looking forward to this trip because Japan has been one of the top places I've wanted to see since I was a child. The culture has always fascinated me and to experience it first hand has me super excited. I look forward to seeing the differences in pharmacy practice and experiencing everything I can while I am there. I do not have any concerns for the trip largely part to the fact I was on the trip last year and already know how everything works. Nothing but good vibes from me!

Hi, I'm Beth!

Hi, my name is Beth Stalker and I am a second year pharmacy student with UACOP.  I know that student interest for the Japan trip this year was very high, so I am extremely happy to have made the list!  This is such an unique opportunity to travel with the UACOP and get a behind the scenes look at pharmacy and healthcare in Japan, there was no way I could pass it up.   I am especially looking forward to learning about Japanese Herbal Medicine and visiting the kampo pharmacy as well as sightseeing and experiencing Japanese culture.  To be honest, I am a little apprehensive about being outside of my comfort zone (at the onsen) and in an unfamiliar place where I do not speak the language, but I am grateful to have our UA faculty guides and to be hosted by KGU faculty and students.  My KGU pen pal has already made me feel very welcome!  I am looking forward to meeting her and everyone else when we arrive

Haley Oura

Hi everyone!

My name is Haley Oura and I am going into my second year of pharmacy school! I am thrilled to be traveling to Japan with the College and I cannot believe that we leave in a few days! I have never traveled outside of the country and I am looking forward to experiencing another country! I am looking forward to meeting new friends and learning about the differences in pharmacy practice in the United States and Japan. Like a few others, I worry about the long flight, but thankfully there has been plenty of advice shared about traveling!

Looking forward to meeting everyone!

Haley Oura

It's me! Skye

🎉Here it is! My first blog post.

Please, hold the applause. (I'm of course joking as you have no idea of who I am and chances are you're holding a phone to read this and would never clap with a phone between your palms)

My name is Skye and I'm another one of the sparkly-eyed second year pharmacy students who have joined this year's IPSF Japan trip. I think the biggest reason for me to join was the reason of “why not”. Japan is a prominent country with a rich history and a culture that most people will only learn about from a screen. I’m fascinated by traditional herbal medicine and Japanese Kampo practices are included in that. Western medicine is quite different from Kampo, and while some may think herbal remedies are hoax I think they’re an area of study that’s undervalued. We’re all familiar with the long life expectancy rates in Japan and how the population partakes in healthcare, and I’m eager to get a glimpse into it. There is much to be learned from going on a trip like this.

Besides herbal pharmacy I’m most looking forward to meet new people and hopefully make many friends abroad. I’ve been non-stop busy all summer and this trip may be busy but it will be a breath of fresh air in comparison to the tedious stuff I’ve been doing in Arizona. I’m ready to take lots of pictures and make lasting memories with my classmates and the students of KGU.

I’m someone who worries a lot, so in regard to concerns about the trip I have more than I should share. I guess I’d say I’m worried about keeping up with blogging because it take me a long time to formulate thoughts into words and I know I’ll be worn out at the end of each day and even less capable of making coherent phrases. I’ll just have to figure out how to be concise.

Next time you hear from me I’ll be part way around the globe. Nice. 😎

Ivette Clark

Hello everyone, my name is Ivette Clark, I am a P2 student at the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy-Phoenix Campus. Ever since we were introduced to IPSF during orientation week, I was instantly intrigued by the unique opportunity to travel the world and experience pharmacy in a different culture. I am thoroughly excited to meet my KGU penpals, experience the KGU campus, and of course see the beauty of Japan and experience their culture. Japan has always been on the top of my list on places to travel to, I have always been so fascinated by their culture. This is a trip of a lifetime and I am so grateful that I get to share this experience with my fellow U of A classmates and faculty. Even though I am beyond the moon for this upcoming trip, I definitely do not lack anxiety about it. This will be my first time traveling over 11 hours on an airplane and the first time I travel without my husband and my children. I have also tried my best to learn some Japanese, but its a beautiful language that I have not yet mastered. Regardless of the fears of airplane ride and language barriers, I am full heartedly ready to immerse myself in this experience. 

Let's have a great time and make some wonderful memories! 

Mina-san Ohayou!

I still remember the announcement during orientation last year of the Japan trip. I knew right there and then that I am going. It definitely was the highlight of that Tucson visit. I love Japan and I love to travel!

This will not be my first trip to Japan, but it will be the first time I can really relax and do some serious sight-seeing. School visits, learning about their pharmacy settings, and herbal pharmacy will be on the top of my list of things to do followed closely by lots of food and shopping. I am not fluent in Japanese, but I can get by with the language. My blog name is a translation of my own.

A couple weeks ago I was a little concerned about the flooding in Japan, but I kept informed and asked my pen pal, and she told me it would be fine. Now, we have typhoon Jongdari, I hope it’s the last one this summer. My only other concern is traveling without my husband. I’m spoiled a bit, but we always travel together. I guess I’m going to have to lug the suitcases alone! Overall, I am excited. 

Nihon, mata chikaiuchini ne!

Oujo L.

Atefeh Sharif

Hello everyone, my name is Atefeh Sharif. I'm a P2 in the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy at the  Phoenix campus.  I knew, I wanted to go to Japan trip from the orientation day. one of our school faculties talked about the International Pharmacy Student Association and the opportunity to go to Japan this year. Since I was a child it was my dream to go to Japan and become familiar with their rich culture. I'm especially excited to learn more about the Japanese culture because my boyfriend is half Japanese.
I'm also looking forward to learn more about the pharmacy practice, pharmacy schools in Japan and especially the herbal pharmacy.
I traveled a lot, and I believe each second of the trip is going to be exciting. The only thing that might be challenging is the language barrier, though it will be fun communicating in every form.