2023 KNAPS SEP Incoming_Research Program_Testimonial by Elizabeth

Elizabeth Brown (APhA-ASP, United States)

Seoul National University, Seoul, Laboratory of Pathological Physiology & Molecular Metabolism

I am currently a Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate at Husson University in Bangor, Maine, and my goals after graduation are to live and work internationally. For many years, I have looked forward to visiting South Korea, and my time in Seoul during my research program did not disappoint! I was able to see, experience, and learn about pharmacy research in a way that otherwise would not be possible in the United States. I was lucky to have made friends not only with the KNAPS students and my research colleagues, but also with the other exchange students from Spain, Turkey, France, and Slovenia. My time in South Korea helped me improve my Korean communication – reading, listening, speaking, and writing. I was able to learn more about Korean culture, history, and etiquette, and I can now better serve my patients in my job as a Pharmacist Intern because of this.

 

I first learned of SEP through personal research in 2020. The pandemic made applying difficult for a couple of years, and when it resumed, communication was difficult and I missed the US application deadline. This year, I finally received an answer to my annual inquiry and was told the deadline was in two days! I rushed to write my essay and short answer responses, met with instructors, and secured a letter of recommendation within that time frame. A few months later, when it came time for South Korea’s deadline and submissions began to be viewed, I woke up one unsuspecting morning and received the acceptance email that I would be going to Korea! I screamed, I cried, I told everyone. It finally started to hit me, bit by bit, that I was finally going to South Korea, and I’d be able to spend just over a month in Seoul. South Korea is my first-choice country on where I would most prefer to live and work post-graduation, so I was beyond thrilled for this trip of a lifetime.

 

When I arrived at the airport, KNAPS member Hazel was my arrival coordinator and picked me up K-pop style with a beautiful sign. She helped me set up my phone’s data plan and my T-money card for public transit. We had a meal in Hongdae, and I finally got to try real Korean food for the first time. It was so good, even though I struggled the most with chopsticks! She was also able to help me find my accommodation, which turned out to be near her neighborhood.

 

My research program at Seoul National University’s Laboratory of Pathological Physiology & Molecular Metabolism lasted 3 weeks, and I spent that time running many different types of experiments, such as QPCR, protein and RNA extraction from cells, cell subcultures, magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS), and dual luciferase reporter assays. I witnessed surgery on the live mice specimens and learned vast amounts regarding the lab’s research of in vivo adipogenesis. Some of the experiments I practiced I had only ever heard about as a brief note in lectures at school whereas others were completely new concepts to me. My colleagues and Professor Yunhee Lee were so friendly, warm, welcoming, and helpful – I only wish my Korean vocabulary was larger. I attended weekly lab meetings where my colleagues presented their most recent findings, and it was exciting as they were getting ready to publish their research! On my final day, I presented on what I had learned during my time in the lab and theories and method papers I had investigated to help determine why certain experiments were failing –lab manager Sumin and I believe it had to do with the plasmid and that she would have to return to the cloning stage to correct it.

When I wasn’t in the lab, the KNAPS crew scheduled social events for us twice during the week and on the weekends. There was always something fun going on and I took full advantage of attending almost all the events during my time there. We went to Suwon, explored the traditional palace and city, and took a break from the rain in a traditional-style café. We had days walking around Itaewon, Hongdae, Myeongdong, and Gangnam. We visited Seoul Forest, several palaces such as Gyeongbokgung, COEX Mall, the Hyundai Mall, Bukchon Hanok Village, Namsan Tower, the National Museum of Korea, and Lotte Tower. I also got to try my hand at archery, and I didn’t think I was too bad at it! We played an escape room, relaxed at many different themed cafes, played board games, and took every opportunity to visit photo booths. My mom joked that all the pictures I sent her and my brother made it look like I was on a food tour of South Korea, but I learned that was also part of the culture there. One night when we didn’t have a KNAPS event planned, the SEP students gathered at Han River to enjoy the music and light show on the water while we talked, laughed, and appreciated the company. We learned so much about each others’ countries and how pharmacy was different and similar, as well as the cultures, governments, education programs, and daily life. On my last night in Seoul, I made a special solo trip after our farewell event to JYP Entertainment even though my beloved Stray Kids were ironically in the US for K-Con. (I may have absolutely cried walking on the same sidewalk I’ve seen my bias Bang Chan walk down in pictures. The only time I’ve been happier was seeing them perform live in concert last year.)

 

I would like to thank Ga Eon Lee, SEO of Korea, for making this experience possible. She did not mind all my questions and was instrumental in making this dream a reality. If you are thinking about SEP, I highly recommend applying to South Korea. If it’s your first time traveling abroad like it was for me, Korea has so many unique apps to help you navigate even if you can’t read Korean. It took me a week or so to become an expert with the public transit systems for the buses and subways, but then I never made another mistake. This was such a wonderful adventure, and I know I will never forget it! I broadened my skills in professionalism, research, language, and international relations, all of which I can and will continue to use in the future as I proceed with my pharmacy program and begin my career. I now have lifelong friends I plan to see next summer at the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation World Congress in Montreal, and I’m sure these friendships and professional connections will continue to steer my future in the right direction.