Few days into Japan

We have been in Japan for a couple of days and have already done so much. The first day we went to Kobe Gakuin University to met our pen pals. It was great to finally meet him and we had great conversations. The next day we went to Nara to see the Toudaiji Daibutsu temple, which had the biggest Buddha in Japan inside. Also, walking the streets of Nara were hundreds of deer! The day after that we went to see the Himeji Castle. I was so amazed by all the thought that went into building this castle to defend it from enemies. It was like a maze all the way to the top with trap doors and holes in the walls for guns to stick through. On monday we started having lectures at KGU, which were very interesting. We also went on site visits to a community and hospital pharmacy. I learned so much from the lectures and visits about how the Japanese practice pharmacy. There are some similarities to the US, but also many differences. The main differences were that in Japan they do not use many narcotic pain medications. Also, they use powder formulation commonly because it is traditional and easier to make. I learned that the salary of a pharmacist in Japan is about 1/3 that of an American pharmacist. Although I feel like they have to do much more work since there is no technicians in Japan.

Overall, I am having a great trip so far. All of the faculty and students at KGU have been the best tour guides and treated us very well. I am thankful to have them because without them I would be so lost trying to figure out my way around town. It is really tough to not be able to read any signs or communicate with people. It is also very hot at this time of year in Kobe. By the end of the day with all the walking and heat I am exhausted, but it is well worth it as Japan is an amazing place.