Reflection: Maddie

Hello for the last time!

I can't believe that four weeks have already gone by and this is our last day in Thailand. I have learned so much from being in this country and I know that there is so much more to discover. I truly feel like a better person because of this trip and I know I will be encouraging future students to take part in this once in a lifetime opportunity.

In terms of personal growth, I definitely learned more about cultural appropriation and awareness. This is a constant learning process for everyone but every time I travel abroad, I definitely gain a new found understanding. One example is that with Buddhism, Buddha is to be respected and they do not want people using it as a decoration in their homes. They have billboards throughout the country saying just that and as a visitor, I need to respect that and encourage others to do so. It's important to respect all people and embrace the differences that exist in the world both in my role as a pharmacist but also in my day to day life. 

Another aspect of the Thai culture that I will take home with me is the humility and friendliness that I have seen and experienced while here. Thai people are constantly looking to better themselves and often they look towards Western countries, such as the US, as a way to improve upon their current practices. This is something we all can learn from, especially because we often lose sight of that in the US. They also practice humility in their daily routines with such respect for Buddha and although I do not practice that religion, I have definitely benefited from seeing this type of respect. Thai people are also extremely friendly and they constantly greet us in a respectful manner and are always thankful of our presence. This constant friendliness is infectious and I know that I will bring this back to the US with me because I think many Americans could use that positivity in their lives even if for only a few minutes. 

In the pharmacy world, one of the biggest take aways from this trip for me is that the US has a lot of room for growth with patient care. Although Thailand doesn't have the funding for a lot of modern technologies, they far surpass the US in terms of patient education. The pharmacists at various hospitals have developed so many helpful and informative tools for patient education that have inspired me to help spark that change wherever I practice in the future and potentially on my last 2 APPEs. Another tool Thailand has developed is an application available on mobile phones that provide patients with education about their own medication.

With these tools, we could improve health literacy of our nation and avoid potential medication errors. 

The pharmacists in Thailand also have a completely different attitude about their jobs than most people in the US workplace. They thoroughly enjoy their jobs and gain satisfaction in helping patients, and this includes the new graduate pharmacists as well. I want to adopt the same attitude upon graduation because I know it will make the difference not only for myself, but for the patients and co-workers that might be feeling the effects of burnout. 

It's hard to list all of the things I will miss about Thailand because it feels like I am saying goodbye. For starters, I will definitely miss the delicious food, as I haven't had a bad meal here, friendly atmosphere, the people, and so much more. I have felt safe here and it has become my home away from home for a month, which means it will always hold a special place in my heart. I do hope to come back one day to visit the friends I have made and to see more of the beautiful country I have come to love. Thank you readers for tuning in and feel free to reach out to hear more details about my trip! 

Sawadee ka!

Maddie Pryor