International APPE Experience, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
While studying pharmacy, I served as a Spanish medical interpreter and a volunteer in the pharmacy patient encounter program at Clínica Esperanza, a primary care clinic that serves uninsured and underserved Hispanic or Latinx patients in Memphis. This is where my interest in ambulatory care and psychiatry deepened. This area of pharmacy is not currently practiced in my home of Puerto Rico, which makes me even more passionate about one day bringing it back home to improve the management of chronic and acute diseases.
Participating in programs outside of Puerto Rico allowed me to compare healthcare systems, immerse myself in different cultures, and gain an understanding of diverse approaches to care.
I cannot stress enough how grateful I am for the opportunity the UT Health Science Center College of Pharmacy gave me to experience pharmacy practice abroad.
I always believed that keeping an open mind and learning from different perspectives would help me grow, not just as a student, but as a future pharmacist. After experiencing the gaps in care back home and witnessing the differences in the U.S., I was motivated to seek out opportunities like international rotations. These experiences provided valuable strategies and insights on how I can improve patient care by combining approaches I may not have previously known, some of which may be more effective than those I currently practice. I plan to carry these lessons into residency and future practice. I’ve always viewed the best clinicians as lifelong learners, those who continuously evolve to provide the highest quality care.
A typical day at the pharmacy practice site began bright and early, as I arrived to shadow in the hospital area I was assigned to. Alongside the clinical pharmacists, I reviewed patient records and participated in discussions about therapy decisions. I also had the opportunity to observe how healthcare delivery and clinical approaches in Ireland can differ from those in the United States, which broadened my understanding of international pharmacy practice.
I cannot stress enough how grateful I am for the opportunity the UT Health Science Center College of Pharmacy gave me to experience pharmacy practice abroad. One of the most memorable aspects was immersing myself in the culture, exploring the city and countryside, and building genuine connections with amazing people. On the professional side, I truly enjoyed engaging in conversations with pharmacists in Ireland, especially when comparing clinical practices. It was eye-opening to see how first-line treatment options, drug availability, and access to healthcare can differ significantly from those in the U.S. These moments helped broaden my perspective and deepen my appreciation for global pharmacy practice.
One lesson this experience taught me and something I wouldn’t have learned during a standard APPE is the importance of adaptability in clinical practice across different healthcare systems. Practicing in a country with a different formulary, treatment guidelines, and healthcare structure forced me to step outside of my usual clinical framework and think critically about how to approach patient care when resources or medications are limited or managed differently. It taught me that being a strong clinician isn’t just about following protocols; it’s about understanding the “why” behind treatment decisions and being open to alternative, yet evidence-based, approaches that may be more practical or culturally appropriate in different settings.
This experience has equipped me to be a more effective pharmacist by strengthening my cultural competence, adaptability, and clinical reasoning. Working alongside pharmacists in a different healthcare system taught me how to navigate variations in drug availability, treatment guidelines, and patient expectations. It pushed me to think critically, communicate more effectively across cultural and professional boundaries, and remain open-minded to new approaches in patient care. These skills are essential in today’s increasingly diverse and globalized healthcare environment, enabling me to better serve patients from all backgrounds with empathy and clinical precision.
About the International APPE Program
UT Health Science Center College of Pharmacy’s International APPE program allows students have the opportunity to complete their Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs) abroad, gaining valuable experience in caring for culturally diverse patient populations. Students may apply for rotations in a variety of international healthcare settings including Ireland, Spain, Thailand, Canada, and Sweden.