When I found out about the new Global Pharmacy Scholars (GPS) program at my school, I knew I had to apply. The GPS program was created so that fourth-year University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Eshelman School of Pharmacy student pharmacists could spend 1 month on a rotation abroad. I was excited to step outside my comfort zone, travel, and learn about pharmacy in another part of the world. When I found out that I received a scholarship from the program to travel to Malawi, I was thrilled. I expected my parents to be against the idea of their oldest daughter traveling to a third-world country for an entire month, but when I broke the news to them, they asked, “Did you say you’re going to Maui? Can we come?”

The best advice someone once gave me was, “Your first job is not your last job.” This has certainly been the case for me because my career path has been anything but linear and 
traditional—and that has suited me well.

“Veronica,” congratulations on starting your final year of pharmacy school and embarking on a new journey of rotation life! This is an exciting year for you to learn from both your preceptors and fellow student pharmacists. 


I am glad to hear that you enjoyed your ambulatory care rotation. Like you, I was super excited to manage patients’ chronic disease states while I was on rotations even though I did not really know what it was either. You are right, ambulatory care is different and something that most student pharmacists do not experience until they immerse themselves in an ambulatory care setting.