The drone-like hum of the airplane engine buzzing in your ears … your over-stuffed backpack containing your laptop, kindle, straightener, two pairs of shoes, and an extra change of clothes crammed underneath the seat in front of you…your headphones dangling in place, the melodies from the latest Spotify playlist singing along in your ears…your passport in hand, while you stare at the sea of clouds outside the airplane window.

The description above may just seem like a regular plane ride to some. For me, it describes that day in the summer of 2016 when I left for my student exchange experience in France. As an adventure-enthusiast bitten by the travel bug, I was amazed to learn about study abroad and exchange opportunities for student pharmacists. Having participated in study abroad in college prior, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that these opportunities extended into post-collegiate studies. 

Substance use disorders are not just today’s epidemic, but an issue that will require lifelong vigilance and support. After attending the APhA Institute on Alcoholism & Drug Dependencies as a Ronald L. Williams Memorial Fund scholarship recipient, I have gained the knowledge and inspiration to be an active part of the solution.

From start to finish, the APhA Institute was an eye-opening, enriching, empowering, and transformative experience. I came in with an expectation of learning new things, but I left with so much more. Above all, I gained a new sense of strength and confidence that the pharmacists of tomorrow can expand their role in the fight against substance use disorders today.

Spoiler alert: I’m about to tell you the real side to being a recent graduate—the side that no one really talks about. This is my story, and my perspective. These are things that I have observed about myself and about my classmates, and what I did to help ease into this new chapter of my life.