Amanda Cun is a final-year PharmD candidate at St. Louis College of Pharmacy at the University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy and a member of the 2025–2026 APhA–ASP Communications Standing Committee.
My international APPE rotation in Portugal this past summer was not simply 5 weeks away from home. I entered Portugal excited and a little nervous, unsure of what to expect, but I left with a sense of clarity and personal growth that felt both grounding and inspiring. This rotation became a reminder that healing, learning, and connection can look very different across the world, yet the heart of patient care always remains the same.
Health care through a new cultural lens
From the moment I stepped into my first pharmacy in Portugal, I could feel that health care functioned differently there. Pharmacies did not feel rushed or transactional. They felt like extensions of the community, warm and familiar spaces where patients walked in comfortably, sometimes just to ask a question or share a concern. Pharmacists were approachable and deeply woven into the rhythm of daily life. They were medication experts and trusted figures who offered guidance, reassurance, and genuine connection. There was no sense of urgency or pressure. The focus was always on making the patient feel heard and cared for. It helped me realize that clinical excellence matters, but the way it is delivered matters just as much.
Each day offered a new insight into how people in Portugal think about health, how they communicate their needs, and how they build trust with health care professionals. These lessons did not come from a textbook. They came from real moments with real people who were simply living their lives. Even when language barriers appeared, the connection remained easy. A smile, a kind gesture, or a patient pause often communicated more than words ever could.
These experiences taught me to slow down, adjust my communication style, and embrace cultural humility. I became more aware of how personal history, beliefs, and experiences shape the way people express fear, pain, or confusion. That awareness has stayed with me and continues to shape how I approach patient care. More than anything, Portugal reminded me that pharmacy is about people as much as it is about medicine. It taught me that empathy, presence, and cultural curiosity are essential parts of health care and often make the biggest impact.
A journey of personal growth
I have always loved to travel for fun. Living in another country for 5 weeks gave me a kind of freedom I had never felt before. It was the kind of freedom that quietly whispers that you are capable of so much more than you realize. Being in Portugal allowed me to step away from everything familiar and discover parts of myself I had never taken the time to explore. I felt a sense of independence that was both empowering and grounding. It showed me that I can adapt, that I can make a home anywhere, and that I am strong enough to navigate unfamiliar spaces with confidence and curiosity.
It was in the simple, everyday moments that I felt this shift the most. Whether I was planning a weekend trip with my best friend, wandering through new neighborhoods, trying new foods, or figuring out how to communicate without the comfort of my native language, I could feel myself growing in ways that went far beyond pharmacy.
Living abroad also helped me slow down and reconnect with myself. Stepping away from my usual routine gave me space to breathe, to reflect, and to rediscover what truly matters to me both personally and professionally. I began to see my goals more clearly. I gained a better understanding of who I am becoming and the kind of impact I want to make as a pharmacist. That clarity and confidence followed me home, and I continue to carry it with me long after leaving Portugal.
What I walked away with
When I returned home from Portugal, I realized I had gained much more than I could ever fit into a rotation evaluation or a resume bullet point. This experience gave me a deeper understanding of global health care and a new appreciation for the ways culture influences care. I returned with a stronger sense of empathy, sharper awareness, and a renewed passion for serving patients with compassion and intention.
I walked away with a clearer understanding of how powerful human connection can be in health care. I developed a stronger sense of cultural humility and learned how important it is to listen first before offering guidance. I gained a new level of confidence in adapting to unfamiliar environments and navigating unpredictable situations. I also discovered a renewed appreciation for the emotional and relational sides of pharmacy, which are often overlooked in clinical training.
More than anything, I came home with a deep gratitude for every person who welcomed me, taught me, and shared a piece of their world with me during my rotation. Their kindness and openness shaped this experience in lasting ways.