Our adventure in Thailand is about to end.
Spending time with American students in Thailand allowed me to learn culturally, socially and professionally about both the US and Thailand and rethink of Japan as well.
1. Professionally,
Pharmacy practice
Pharmacy practice
Impressed with how pharmacy students and pharmacists practice comparing we do in japan.
Especially their English, since they use medical words in english and use english text books, is great. I suspect that the fact we don't use English at all is the one of the reasons of Galapagosization of Japanese medical care which we warred about right now.
speaking about Home visit, one of MTM class that students visit patients' house by themselves, bring benefits to both students and patients. What students do is ask patients basic questions, check compliance, take blood pressure and blood glucose and answer patients questions. pretty much what pharmacists clinically do. Patients, on the other hand, can get this help for free, they can prevent spending time in hospital, they can know their condition. Surprisingly patients who has diabetes check blood glucose only when they go to see a doctor which is around once every three months because they can't afford for checking kit. therefore pharmacy students are great help for them.
Hospital
We visited two of the best hospitals in Thailand, Siriraj hospital and Ramathibodi hospital.
One looks like a huge department store that has many cafes and entertainment stage, and the other looks like a luxury hotel that has calm wide lobby and a beautiful garden.
One looks like a huge department store that has many cafes and entertainment stage, and the other looks like a luxury hotel that has calm wide lobby and a beautiful garden.
They also have pharmacogenomics department of pathology which is very early even in the US according to American students.
They have fantastic facilities and beautiful buildings, but the problem is that it takes a loooooooong time to get everything done. At least 1-2hours to get medicine ready.
In addition you have to stay in front of the pharmacy since you never know when is your turn.
2. Culturally
Low self-esteem
One thai teacher asked Dr. Katz how to make thai students more active and confidence like american ones are. We, asian people both in Thailand and Japan, tend to suffer from low self-esteem.
Being confidence, like having questions and asking a lot and speaking in public, is very attractive for us and wish we were like that.
On the other hand, we are afraid of society that doesn't allow us to be "unique" traditionally.
feeling comfortable with being yourself is a key point to solve low self-esteem no matter what kind of person you are.
feeling comfortable with being yourself is a key point to solve low self-esteem no matter what kind of person you are.
"You need to speak softer. "
That's the word I heard when I learned Thai words. Actually thai people, not only women but also men, speak very soft and kind. That's "normal" in Thailand (of course there's always exception).
That's the word I heard when I learned Thai words. Actually thai people, not only women but also men, speak very soft and kind. That's "normal" in Thailand (of course there's always exception).
In Japan, we also learn to be feminine as a girl, humble and polite. That's what we call "normal".
We have a hard time when own personality is different the ideal model.
We have a hard time when own personality is different the ideal model.
I am also the one who struggled with this especially after a year of my life in the US that let me find and be who I am. Low self-esteem comes from evaluations saying "you better change".
But I believe that there's no right answer to what kind of person is better.
Asians might not active enough to tell own opinion in front of people, but they are good at coorparating.
We need to find own good points and how to use it instead of trying to change it.
And the most important thing I found from my experience is to see both if the way you are fits the environment you are in and if you feel comfortable with the way you are.
We are all different but have wonderful smiles in common!
We are all different but have wonderful smiles in common!
Buddhism
I'm surprised that Buddhism in Thailand is very different from one in Japan at the point of how to pray, what to wear, or even how Buddha looks like.
Also many thai people strongly believe their religion. Monks are so respectful that people pray when monks pass by.
Here in Thailand, You see monks on the street walking through and in a temple studying.
In Japan, you rarely see monks even at temples. We Japanese face to the problem of low birth rate and low monk rate!
3. Socially,
Big gap in standard of living
Basically everything is amazingly cheap in Thailand, $1-2 for a meal, $6 for a dress, $2 for a T-shirt, less than $1 for a bottle of water. On the contrary, there are shopping malls filled with high brands like Dior and CHANEL.
Also there are luxury hospitals like ones I mentioned early, but the reality is that many local hospitals don't have air-conditioning. In addition, you don't see pharmacists in most of the pharmacy, but you can get medicines.
I saw many people sleeping and asking money on the street.
That makes me think of a lot of things.
I saw many people sleeping and asking money on the street.
That makes me think of a lot of things.
I couldn't make this trip one of the best in my life without them.
Our adventure in Thailand has ended.
But our journey is continued...
See you guys next January in Tucson!HA
-Mai
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