Kalimotxo is a new favorite drink of mine that is very popular here in Spain. Its half red wine and half Coke, sometimes topped off with some blackberry or cranberry juice--and the only way I've had it so far is from a 1 Liter plastic cup, haha. Carlos introduced it to us Thursday evening; we were winding down after a busy day in the bar next to our apartment. We took advantage of that time to learn a little about pharmacy education in each other's home countries. From what I've heard, most pharmacy schools in Europe are 4 or 5 years witha practicum of anywhere from 1 month to 6 months---with the exception of Serbia, which is 5 years of class and one year practicing (very similar to ours). Patient counseling education seems to be only an American requirement, although most of them believe it should be part of their curriculum as well. Also, I don't think the programs are as strict as far as schedules and advancing to the next year. For instance, Elena and Carlos are both on their 6th year of a 5 year program. Unlike in the States where you must take certain classes every year, in Spain they can choose; one year they could only take 3 or 4 classes and take it easy. If you fail a class, you can repeat it the next year and still continue in other subjects. In the states, you must take certain classes every year, with room for only about 10 hours of elective course through the three years of the didactic pharmacy program. If you get a D in two classes in a year, you cannot move to the next year, but must repeat those two classes the next year, joining the next year of students. Opinions of pharmacists seem to be similar everywhere--they're over educated for what they do, too much chemistry and too much knowledge. Its interesting to me that no matter what country you practice in, you're fighting more or less the same battles.
I'll learn much more about pharmacy after starting work tomorrow. On Friday, we all took time to meet the professors (and in my case, the pharmacy team) we would be working with. Fran (whom I assume is like the pharmacy manager) is very polite, speaks about 1,000 mph, and reminded me very much of the typical American executive. Luckily, when he spoke to me, he understood that he needed to slow it down. I understood most everything he said, but I'm sure I'll need to review the work routine tomorrow. None of the main pharmacists speak English, so my Spanish will definitely be necessary. Fran told me that my work schedule is 9:30am to 1:30pm (only four hours!!), and that if I come in late, or need to miss a Friday or Monday because of a weekend excursion, it didn't matter to him. He understands that the point of this program is not only to increase awareness and knowledge of pharmacy internationally but also to let the students enjoy the country they are working in. He also said that I can do pretty much anything in the pharmacy I feel comfortable with, but its up to me to get what I want out of this experience. Could this be any better???
After visiting the pharmacy, I went to the shopping center in Alcala--the other students had gone there earlier and then went to Alcala for some sightseeing. Then Carlos introduced to Spanish parties--about a bagillion gallons of kalimotxo, some excellent rioja (only about 7 Euros), music, and beer. During the party, Elena arrived with the next edition to our house--another girl from Poland who attends the same university as the other Polish student here (turns out only the girl is a student and her fiance just came along with her..sort of a strange idea to me, but then again, maybe its just a unique glimpse into the Polish culture). At the party, we shared stories from our countries, our lives, and our ideas about each others. To me, these are the times that are most crucial and the most interesting when traveling abroad. People can be so different, yet so similar at the same time--no matter where they are from. Some things are universal, some are quite isolated. Learning about other cultures really makes you look at your own culture....question it, validate it, or simply understand it as unique.
We spent the better part of Saturday afternoon walking around Madrid, and somehow I was deemed tour guide. Since I had been there for several days already, I knew the best sequence of the most important sites, but to my surprise, most of them looked to me to guide them on the trains and (especially) the metro, as well. Being the only native English speaker and also the only person having a substantial grasp on Spanish, I've fallen into sort of a leadership position. I enjoy the power and their trust to a degree, but if you know me but at all, you know I'd rather make everyone else happy than worry about what I want. This characteristic of mine was tested in Madrid as we were searching for a place to settle down and watch the Spain vs. Paraguay game. Elena had recommended a few bars, and after I had found them, they didn't seem to meet everyone's approval. So we spent almost an hour trying to find somewhere that made everyone happy--an impossible task. I was trying to let them choose, but I got fed up with all the whining and indecisiveness (probably just seemed that way because of the language barriers, but still frustrating). We gave up and went back to the first bar that Elena suggested.
By that time, we were all ready to sit down and enjoy some beers. The Irish pub we were in had almost no tables left when we got there, but by the time the game had started, we were pushing people out of the way to see the television. I still don't know much about soccer, and I'm learning more and more about it while I'm in Europe, but even I could tell that was an exciting and emotional game! It may have been the fact that I was in Madrid, or that the bar was crowded with loud and passionate Spaniards, but I've never gotten into a soccer game like I did that one! I'm thrilled that Spain will be advancing; it gives me at least one more opportunity to pretend that Yo soy espanol, espanol, espanol! Yo soy espanol espanol! (I'm Spanish). Maybe by the next game, I'll know all the cheers and can chant along side the madrilenos.
