Hey everyone, my name is Kirsten. Last year, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the
summer research project for 2023. I conducted my research in the beautiful city of Vienna, Austria,
at the Universität Wien.
I decided to apply for the Erasmus program because of my love for travel and desire for new
experiences, and it turned out to be truly worthwhile. This opportunity allowed me to step outside
of my comfort zone, immerse myself in a country I had never visited, and adapt to a language I barely
understood. Though the first few days were tough, once settled, I couldn’t imagine spending my
summer anywhere else. Discovering the hidden gems of Vienna and its surrounding areas was a
highlight of my experience. Living and working in Vienna helped me develop greater resilience,
adaptability, and cultural awareness. Navigating daily life in a foreign country, overcoming language
barriers, and integrating into a new community all contributed to my personal growth, enhancing my
confidence and independence.
Conducting a research project for the first time was an experience I greatly enjoyed. I gained hands-
on experience with techniques I had previously learned in our modules, which helped solidify my
understanding and allowed me to take the lead on my project. I found the topic fascinating and was
fortunate to work with an incredible team, which made the experience even more rewarding. It
broadened my academic perspective and opened my eyes to new career possibilities that I hadn’t
previously considered.

Kirsten Soney-Ituen

University of Vienna

I had the most amazing opportunity to travel to Croatia this summer, to undertake my research project. Situated on the Dalmatian coast, Split is a vibrant and historic city, with great opportunities to travel the surrounding areas and to become immersed in the culture.
In the university, I had great support from the academic staff, to conduct an observational survey study aimed at community pharmacists. This study gave me great insight into pharmacy practice in Croatia, while also allowing me to develop my research and professional skills.
I would really encourage students who are interested in studying abroad to go for it! It will be a summer you will never forget!

Ella Cocoman

University of Split

My participation in the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme in Italy was an unforgettable experience. This unique opportunity allowed me to interact with pharmacy students from France and Italy, offering invaluable insights and networking opportunities as we engaged in clinically focused activities like vaccination practice and lipid profile testing. During this transformative programme, I expanded my perspective on the multifaceted roles pharmacists can undertake globally. Discovering the diverse responsibilities carried out by pharmacy professionals in other countries broadened my horizons, inspiring me to envision a dynamic future for our field. The programme's blended format also worked very well. Moreover, achieving professional certification in first aid through this programme is another advantage that I am confident will prove invaluable in my future endeavours. I wholeheartedly enjoyed every aspect of this programme and sincerely hope it continues for future students. By facilitating connections and encouraging advancements within our profession, it offers pharmacy students the chance to cultivate relationships beyond the confines of their usual academic environments, ultimately contributing to the growth and advancement of our discipline.

Inshiya Kagalwava

University of Pavia

My name is Trina, and last summer, after my third year of Pharmacy studies, I was very fortunate to spend two months conducting research in Germany. I worked with a Pharmaceutical Chemistry PhD research group in Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) in Munich. The group was incredibly supportive and made me feel welcome from the start. I took part in weekly discussions and group activities, which made the experience especially rewarding. I also had an encouraging post-doctoral supervisor who mentored me throughout the project and I learned a lot from their guidance and expertise. Being part of an active research team gave me a much clearer understanding of what a career in research would look like.
It was also my first time living alone in another country, which was both exciting and challenging. I took the opportunity to travel almost every weekend and reconnected with friends and classmates from Pharmacy who were studying at different universities across Europe. I learned a lot about myself, became more independent, and made lasting memories.
Overall, the experience had a profound impact on me, helping me grow not only as a student but also on a personal level. It helped me explore whether an academic, research-focused career would be the right path for me. I would highly recommend this opportunity to students in the earlier years of their studies, and I’m extremely grateful to the school for organizing and providing me with such an incredible experience."
Thank you again for everything, hope you have a good summer!

Trina Yu

University of Munich

My name is Ben Rafter. I spent two months completing my Capstone project in Sapienza, the
University of Rome.
I had the opportunity to work in a lab dedicated to the development of a novel drug delivery
system. The topic was quite new to me, so it took a while to get comfortable, but once I had
settled, I had an amazing time. I made some great friends in the lab, who were all so helpful as I
completed my research. I genuinely could not get over the heat in the city and in the lab – it was
unlike anything I had ever experienced before. As I have been commuting to (Trinity) college
from home the past four years, I never had the chance to live on my own. It was brilliant to have
so much independence. The sites in Rome are even more impressive than you would expect. I
got to eat some of the nicest food I had ever eaten in my life. I had the opportunity to go
travelling with two of my peers to Bologna and Florence. Additionally, I went to Salzburg during a
weekend free from the lab, with three other peers of mine. Thanks to Erasmus, I became closer
than before with these peers of mine. Personally, I feel accomplished for having been able to live
on my own for a while. Additionally, it was helpful (and quite essential for me!) to have
effectively had a head start on my Capstone thesis write-up compared with my peers who did
not go on Erasmus in the summer. Professionally, I felt more confident than ever before during
labs in Trinity, after my experience in Rome.
Especially with all the grants that are available, which helped me tremendously, I would highly
recommend any pharmacy student to go on Erasmus.

Ben Rafter

University of Rome

My name is Ellen Byrne, and I had the opportunity to complete my Capstone Project abroad at Utrecht University in the Division of Pharmacoepidemiology & Clinical Pharmacology. I was based in the main pharmacy building at the Utrecht University Science Park, where I had my own desk and worked five days a week, except on bank holidays. Most of my work involved using Excel, SPSS, and other platforms to access, manipulate, and analyse data, which helped me develop my technical and analytical skills. I worked closely with my supervisor and a PhD student on the project, meeting with them weekly to set a project plan, discuss progress, and clarify any questions. English was widely spoken at Utrecht University, which made communication easy and allowed me to collaborate effectively with the many international students in the department.
Living on campus made the whole experience even more enjoyable, as I was fully immersed in both academic and social life. Since college was still in session in the Netherlands during May and June, I was able to join Erasmus events and meet new people through different activities. I also had the opportunity to make close friends within my department, with people from a variety of nationalities, which gave me a great cultural experience. On weekends, I was free to travel around the Netherlands, visiting cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Groningen.
Another highlight was attending the weekly departmental meetings, where PhD and master’s students presented their final projects. These gave me valuable insight into what a career in research could involve for a pharmacist. Overall, my time in Utrecht was an incredibly rewarding experience, allowing me to grow professionally by developing my research and communication skills, while also growing personally by becoming more independent, adaptable, and confident.

Ellen Byrne

University of Utrecht

I thoroughly enjoyed working in the pharmacology department of the school of pharmacy there. Along with my own project I got an insight into other research being done there mostly surrounding liver diseases and how animal studies are conducted.
UConn is known as a highly sport focused college with great facilities and the student accommodation it top notch. The college is situated in secluded Storrs, Connecticut with buses to larger towns and cities in the state.
It is also about half way between Boston and New York, both of which I was lucky enough to visit frequently.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and I feel as though I have gained lab and research skills that will stand to me in my pharmacy study.
I would recommend anyone who is between doing the Capstone project abroad and doing a J1 to consider an American college as it really is the best of both worlds.

Emily Ray

University of Connecticut