STEER Trip to Hanoi
In case you’re interested in joining the next Study Trip for Engagement and Enrichment
For many, an overseas immersion programme can enrich and enhance their university life. If you’ve been debating whether to sign up for NUS’s next STEER programme, read on. In this article, we interviewed fellow Pharmers, Li Wen and Ivan, about their recent STEER trip to Hanoi, Vietnam.
On this trip, they embarked on not just a journey to a new country but an adventure filled with cultural experiences and personal growth. The trip was filled with exciting sightseeing tours, as well as pharmacy visits and collaborative learning workshops.
When we asked Ivan why he chose to go on this trip, here’s what he said. “I wanted to find out more about the healthcare systems of other countries, I also thought it would be a good opportunity to interact with pharmacy students from other countries and understand the differences in curriculums.”
Both Ivan and Li Wen also agreed that sightseeing in Hanoi was an enriching experience. They visited iconic landmarks like Hoan Kiem Lake, where locals and tourists intermingle, and the bustling Old Quarter, animated by the lively street culture.
The Temple of Literature was one of the most memorable landmarks of the trip. When they visited, it was teeming with local students paying respects for exam success. Another highlight of the trip was a water puppet show — a traditional form of Vietnamese story-telling.
This trip also included a student exchange with the Hanoi University of Pharmacy (HUP). Many friendships were forged during the programme, and attendees gained valuable insights into another country’s pharmacy curriculum. Li Wen noted that there was a stark contrast between HUP’s curriculum and our B.Pharm programme at NUS. It was interesting to note the differences in education that ultimately lead to differences in the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists in Vietnam and Singapore.
During the student exchange, the pharmacy students from NUS collaborated with HUP students in a clinical learning workshop on Acne Vulgaris. According to Li Wen, “these interactions gave me an appreciation for the differences and similarities between our approaches.”
Other activities on this trip included student presentations on education and student life, as well as faculty presentations on clinical education. Li Wen noted that unlike in Singapore — where many B.Pharm graduates work in hospitals — there was a high percentage of HUP graduates who become community pharmacists and eventually establish their own pharmacies.
Ivan also highlighted that “it was enlightening to learn about the production and manufacturing process of medicinal products such as effervescent tablets and what contributes to good manufacturing practice GMP in Vietnam, as compared to Singapore.”
The tour of the Vietnam Soviet Friendship Hospital was an eye-opening experience for the attendees. Li Wen shared her thoughts on the visit: “The hospital’s Clinical Pharmacist department was very small, with a team of fewer than 10 to manage all pharmacy-related clinical care within the hospital. Despite the team’s limited size, I was really impressed with how well-organised and professional they were in delivering quality and timely care to patients.”
The visit to community pharmacies showcased to the students the essential role of pharmacists in providing accessible healthcare; they serve as the first contact point for patients, guiding them in medication use and addressing common health concerns.
The cultural significance of traditional medicine was also evident in Vietnam, with many pharmacies stocked with herbal remedies. Li Wen, who had taken a module on Traditional Chinese Medicine stated that “it was interesting to draw many parallels between the Vietnamese and Chinese traditional medicine practices and herbs.”
Needless to say, this STEER trip to Hanoi was definitely enriching for all attendees. To wrap up, here’s what Ivan had to say about the experience as a whole: “Overall, I think that the trip was very meaningful and educational. It was definitely a good combination of education and cultural activities to provide a well-rounded experience for all of us to learn more about Vietnam. I would definitely encourage my juniors to go on future STEER trips as this is an excellent way to learn more about the healthcare and cultural landscape of different countries.”
