International Opportunties
The College of Pharmacy recognizes the value of a global education, and we encourage our students to enhance their on-campus program with an academic learning experience abroad.
Study Abroad
Pharm.D. and BSPS students have the opportunity to study abroad through the University’s Study Abroad program. Participation in this program is typically during the sophomore year.
The URI Office of International Education provides advising and support services to help students obtain an international experience. Students may choose from more than 200 affiliated educational programs in over 60 different countries worldwide to spend a semester or academic year studying overseas. Although the cost of studying abroad varies based on the length of the program, location, and additional program providers’ fees, there is a study abroad program to meet almost every budget. Learn more about financing a semester abroad and study abroad scholarships.
BSPS International Program
Our International Pharmaceutical Sciences Program (IPSP) offers an unparalleled experience for students looking to become truly global pharmaceutical sciences. IPSP graduates earn two degrees simultaneously: a Bachelors in Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS) and a B.A. in French, German, or Italian. By combining the power of a strong pharmaceutical sciences program, immersion in a foreign language and culture and a year abroad, the five-year program graduates students prepared for rewarding careers in a diverse array of fields around the world.
Pharm.D. Professional Years
At the College of Pharmacy, we stress outreach and encourage our students to use what they have learned to help others—providing opportunities to students in their professional years to participate in international experiences.
A typical international outreach experience involved a group of URI pharmacy students under the guidance of Dr. Kelly Matson, clinical pediatric pharmacy specialist and clinical associate professor, who completed a pharmacy mission in Jamaica. In this one-week program, the students provided pharmacy education to caregivers from the non-profit Mustard Seed Communities, which cares for children with mental and physical disabilities as well as those afflicted with HIV and AIDS. The students had the opportunity to care for the children in addition to educating caregivers on proper medication administration, medication adherence, and record-keeping, as well as basic physical assessment. Students in a diversity of health disciplines have the opportunity to participate in annual outreach efforts in Guatemala.
J Term
The University’s Winter J Term also offers students international opportunities. During Winter J Term, a group of pharmacy, nursing, and physical therapy students have traveled to Indonesia, visiting unique health programs in urban and rural settings there, meeting with Indonesian health professionals, clients, and students. Other options for health students include annual courses in Guatemala, France, Italy and elsewhere.
A group of University of Rhode Island students and faculty from across the Academic Health Collaborative spent their winter break in tropical paradise, but instead of basking in the sun on white sand beaches, the students spent their time working with some of the most vulnerable populations in Jamaica. More than 20 students across the Colleges of Pharmacy, Nursing and Health Sciences joined three faculty members in working with disabled residents affiliated with Mustard Seed, an organization in Jamaica that serves children and adults with disabilities who have been abandoned. The students lived among the patients in residential communities, working with them on managing their medications, caring for the symptoms of their conditions, and providing physical therapy for conditions such as cerebral palsy. They also conducted workshops for caregivers at the facility on such topics as medication administration, first aid, self-care, over-the-counter medications and proper use of medical equipment. “A lot of the caretakers don’t have formal training; we’re one of their primary sources of information and education,” said Pharmacy student Erin Connolly, noting the URI College of Pharmacy is the only pharmaceutical organization to regularly visit the facility. “We might be the only education they get in terms of medication. I think the information we bring has made a real difference.” In one instance, Connolly was working with a young resident who felt frequent fatigue, especially after taking Benadryl, a common medication used in Jamaica to treat a host of ailments. In speaking with the girl, Connolly discovered she was taking other medications that were interacting with the Benadryl to compound her drowsiness. She was able to suggest other antihistamines that are less likely to exacerbate her fatigue. The students were able to help caregivers improve their service, while also learning from them and each other. That’s been the goal of the annual J-Term trip that began in 2013. For the last couple of years, nursing and physical therapy students have added a more well-rounded approach to the care they provide and the educational experience the students take away. The Nursing, Health Sciences and Pharmacy students helped in that regard, as well, delivering 34 suitcases full of medical supplies totaling more than $10,000 in value. In addition, prior to the trip, each student raised about $2,000 to help fund Mustard Seed’s mission. Adjunct faculty member Katherine Corsi led the Pharmacy contingent. Clinical Assistant Professor Christine McGrane was joined by College of Nursing students Karissa McGrane, Alex Ladas and McKenna Basemore. Physical Therapy Professor Anne-Marie Dupre was joined by students Jennifer Mulcahey O’Brien and Meghan Cuniff.J Term 2019
“Physical therapy and nursing helped teach us about their disciplines, so it was a great learning experience, in addition to being able to provide a service, and we learned a lot from the caregivers. They have very limited resources, but they’re creative and they get the most out of them.”
Erin Connolly, Pharmacy Student
