The University of Iowa College of Pharmacy offers several regularly occurring international rotation opportunities across multiple global sites. Each experience counts toward the five-week Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs) that fourth-year students complete in diverse pharmacy settings. Students typically apply during the fall of their third year in the program.  If interested in finding out more, contact the Professional Experience Office.

Belize

The Belize rotation is five-weeks long. It is one of the Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) options. Students spend four weeks working at Hillside Healthcare International Clinic in Punta Gorda, Belize; and living at the Hillside Clinic Dormitory. Hillside is a faith-inspired, nonprofit free clinic serving the people of Southern Belize.

While in Belize, students provide medication consultation and engage in various public health-related services including health screenings. They also participate in interdisciplinary care delivery at a local clinical and rural outpost clinics. Students offer residents consultations, medications, cardiac monitoring, home health care, and rehabilitation services. Each student is also responsible for initiating a small project to be used by clinic professionals. During the fifth week of the experience, students return to the UI College of Pharmacy to reflect upon what they learned.

Japan

This five-week Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) rotation consists of four weeks on-site at Keio University in Tokyo, Japan. During this time, students will engage in a variety of experiences at Keio University Hospital Pharmacy, laboratory research based on personal study proposals, and Kampo medicine at various Kampo medical institutes and training on PK/PD/PMx. Students learn about Japanese healthcare systems and regulatory science by visiting Japanese public institutes such as the National Institute of Health Sciences and Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency. Students also visit and observe practice in Japanese National Center Hospitals specific to cancer or pediatrics, as well as other hospitals and community pharmacies. 

Ireland - Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar

This Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) rotation consists of one week of pre-experience training and four weeks of on-site experience at Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar, Ireland. Participants will be involved in a variety of activities focusing on pharmacy education, medication safety, rural health medicine, and traditional healing practices. This will be an interdisciplinary experience, with pharmacy students working alongside international pharmacists, nurses, and medical doctors. Core areas of activity include disease state management, dispensing- related functions, direct patient care, case presentations, and a site-specific topic presentation given for the team at Mayo University Hospital in the final week. 

Ireland - Trinity College, Dublin

Romania

The pharmacy rotation in the Eastern European country of Romania is five weeks long. It is a UI College of Pharmacy Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE). The rotation consists of four weeks on-site in Romania: Both in the city of Cluj-Napoca at the Cluj School of Public Health, and also in rural areas outside of the city. While in Romania, students take part in research, education and service projects through the Cluj School of Public Health. Student pharmacists will:

  • Learn the basic workings of the Romanian healthcare system
  • Gain an understanding of how community pharmacy operates in the country
  • Work on a research project with academic partners in Romania
  • Experience a clinical pharmacy setting
I was able to collaborate with pharmacists and students and utilize various public health and pharmacy skills. I was challenged to think and work differently and adapt to the practices of Romania. ~Jasmine Mangrum, '17 PharmD

United Arab Emirates

This five-week Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) rotation consists of one week of pre-experience training and four weeks of on-site experience at Gulf Medical University in Ajman, United Arab Emirates. This rotation empowers students to practice in critical care, especially with complex clinical cases. Pharmacy students will be incorporated into various patient care and research activities, working alongside international pharmacists and fellow student pharmacists in critical care and ICU settings. Participants will have the opportunity to compare the provision of health care in the United States versus United Arab Emirates. Accommodations are most commonly available in the university hostel, with other options nearby as needed.