The true meaning of Pharmaly

In view of the whole pandemic F e bcontext, . dan e 2 0 2 0 | V o alternative: l . 8 online exchanges. Associations from Egypt (EPSF), France (ANEPF), Indonesia (BEM FF UI), Peru (Apefyb), among others, offered this great opportunity to pharmacy students. The most different proposals emerged: virtual exchanges of a single meeting, participation in a weekend and monthly meetings, all designed to enrich the learning and the exchange of experiences between future pharmacists.

The first online exchange offered for participation was EPSF - Virtual SEP. In the experience, they talked about the culture, language, clothing, traditions, currency, food, etc., of Egypt. In lectures, the various aspects and possibilities of the pharmaceutical area in the country were presented, whether in Industry, Clinic, Hospital or Community Pharmacy. It was also possible to follow, live and from various angles, a visit to the Pyramids of Egypt, which has been extremely enriching historically, especially at a time when the borders are closed. Some of the videos are still available in a Facebook group, thus allowing access whenever desired, enhancing the experience.

As a participant in the Virtual SEP With BEM FF UI, I was (Laura) introduced to the incredible culture, language, popular sayings and everyday life of students on the island of Jakarta, the only place in Indonesia where SEP is possible in the industrial area. The activities covered were very interactive and creative, with the cooperation of all participants in the event. In the end, a video competition was conceived with the award of traditional digital art made by one of the students and also cash prizes. As a Runner-up, I got digital art, in which I am wearing a traditional Borneo piece called King Bibinge, and in the background you can see the “Monumen Nasional ’’ . For the cash prize, I chose to order more digital arts from the artist and donate part to the association. It was an incredible experience that allowed me to establish contact with several students from Indonesia and industrial practices in the country.

In the second half of the unusual year of 2020, ANEPF was kind enough to develop a project that aimed to bring pharmacy students from all over the world together. Through French or English, languages chosen by the student's preference, it was possible to strengthen ties with our mutuals, sharing experiences, stories, culture and the reality of the pharmaceutical profession in several countries. In November I (Samara), had the opportunity to meet and get close to four incredible people, who made me understand that no matter the place, the Pharmacy student will always hate organic chemistry. Jokes aside, our exchange of experiences, in addition to being aggrandizing, exceeded all my expectations. With a meeting in November, one in January and two in February, it was possible to share the culture of the region of each participant (Algeria, Brazil, Egypt and France), the student life and the curriculum of the Pharmacy course in these countries, as well as the options pharmacist's work areas. I was able to discover that Brazil has an incredible educational structure within the scope of pharmaceutical education that allows us to experience the practical experience of the countless areas of activity of the pharmacist, unlike the situation in other countries. In addition, our group can share the student life itself and compare how the initiation rituals to the college are similar (in France they have typical clothes from each university and there is a meeting of different students from different universities for the integration between the schools).

Therefore, the experience of online exchange was, in a way, the way that made it possible to exchange ideas and experiences that might not occur in face-to-face exchanges. In addition, it was a place of relaxation amid the uncertainties that the present and the future make us and will make us pass through. This important interaction helps to strengthen ties and recognize that, regardless of the place in the world and the current chaotic situation, no matter what the circumstances, we will always have each other to learn and to be resilient, demonstrating the true meaning of Pharmily.

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PARO NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 8