The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy hosted its first exchange student from Aug. 3-18. Klaudie Gregorova, a recently graduated pharmacist from Prague in the Czech Republic, had the chance to observe some aspects of pharmacy at SIUE and in the community.
She also had an opportunity to share her knowledge and experiences with faculty and students. “What stood out for me were all the Walgreens,” said Gregorova. “We have chains, but ours are completely different. “We don’t sell cigarettes, diapers, perfume or anything like that. We only sell drugs.”
Gregorova’s visit was part of the exchange program through the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF), said Dr. Kelly Gable, associate professor in SIUE pharmacy practice.
Gable, who also is the chair of the SIUE School of Pharmacy Global Education Task Force, hosted Gregorova at her home during the trip. “By participating in the student exchange program, we are expanding global opportunities for our own pharmacy students,” Gable said. “Next year an SIUE pharmacy student will have the opportunity to go abroad. It is truly an amazing opportunity for students to learn about the practice of pharmacy in other countries while also immersing themselves in the culture.”
Drugs are only sold at pharmacies in the Czech Republic. Customers cannot buy medications such as aspirin or pain relievers outside of a pharmacy according to Gregorova. “If I buy something ‘over the counter’ here,” she said, “there may be no professional there to tell me how to use it.
“I like talking and helping people as a pharmacist,” said Gregorova, who has a master’s in pharmacy and is a pharmacist at a community drugstore in a small town outside of Prague.
During Gregorova’s visit, she observed Gable as a clinical pharmacist at Places for People, a non-profit mental health clinic in St. Louis. “It was a nice experience for her to see the social service part of our healthcare system,” Gable said.
“In my country, everyone has health insurance,” Gregorova said. “We have almost everything for free.”
Gregorova participated in non-work related activities while in Edwardsville. Some of them included a trip to see the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium, West Side Story at The Muny, The Cheesecake Factory in St. Louis and various parks in the area.
“It was my first time seeing a baseball game,” she said. “It could have been better if I understood the rules of the game.”
Stores, food and portions are bigger in the U.S., said Gregorova. “Then we went to The Cheesecake Factory, and I wondered if anyone could finish their plate.”
People also seem to drive more in the bi-state area, than they do in Prague, she said. “We walk more and have more public transportation. I don’t have a car, because I don’t need one. I walk to my job, and it takes about 30 minutes.”
Gregorova said she would like to return to the U.S. and SIUE for a visit if the opportunity comes again. “Everyone here has been very good to me. It has been a good trip, and I met good, friendly people.”
Photo Information:
From left to right: Kelly Gable, associate professor in the SIUE pharmacy practice, hosted Klaudie Gregorova, a SIUE School of Pharmacy exchange student from Prague.