• Explore the origins of medicine and healing at historic sites in Greece, including Epidaurus and locations associated with Hippocrates.
• Examine the evolution of pharmacy through visits to renowned historical and professional sites in Italy, including Florence's Santa Maria Novella pharmacy.
• Investigate contemporary global health challenges and international health policy through experiences in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Engage with healthcare professionals and healthcare organizations across three European countries.
• Compare healthcare systems, pharmacy practice models, and medication access across Europe and the United States.

Pharmacy Across the Centuries is a three-week international study abroad elective that explores the historical, cultural, and professional evolution of pharmacy and healthcare across Europe. Through visits to Greece, Italy, and Switzerland, students will examine how ancient healing practices influenced the development of modern pharmacy while gaining insight into contemporary healthcare systems and global health initiatives.

The program begins in Greece, where students will explore the origins of medicine through visits to historically significant sites associated with Hippocrates and the Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus. Students will also engage with healthcare professionals and pharmacists to better understand the modern Greek healthcare system and pharmacy practice.

In Italy, students will investigate the evolution of pharmacy during the Renaissance and beyond. Through visits to sites such as the historic Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella in Florence, students will examine the development of medicinal products, pharmaceutical sciences, and the role of pharmacists throughout history. Professional visits to pharmacies, pharmacy schools and/or pharmaceutical companies will provide perspectives on contemporary pharmacy education and practice.

The program concludes in Switzerland, home to many of the world's leading global health organizations. In Geneva, students will explore international healthcare policy, medication access, humanitarian medicine, and global public health through visits to organizations such as the World Health Organization and Doctors Without Borders. These experiences will help students understand the pharmacist's and other healthcare providers roles in addressing global health challenges. 

2027 Program Dates:

May 21: Depart U.S.
May 22: Arrive in Athens, Greece
May 22-26: Athens and Epidaurus, Greece
May 27-29: Kos, Greece
May 30-June 2:  Rome, Italy
June 3-5: Florence, Italy
June 6-11: Geneva, Switzerland
June 11: Depart Geneva, Switzerland for Return to the U.S. / Program Ends

Additional itinerary details for 2027 coming soon.

All students will enroll in the following course for two credit hours:

PHPR 534 Pharmacy Across the Centuries (2 credit hours)

This 2-credit-hour course includes required pre-departure orientation and preparation, approximately three weeks of international educational activities, and post-travel reflection and assessment. Students should expect sustained engagement before, during, and after travel through readings, research, professional site visits, discussions, cultural activities, reflection, and written assignments. This course will fulfill two of the four elective credits required for degree within the Pharmacy Practice program. 

Participants will stay in centrally located hotels in each of the cities visited.  Rooms are double or triple occupancy and continental breakfast is included daily. 

All students have unique things to consider when studying abroad. A Traveler Profile is a set of personal factors, characteristics or life experiences that could impact daily life abroad. Your individual Traveler Profile may include things such as your age, foreign language proficiency, gender, medical history, medication use, mental health, mobility, piercings and tattoos, travel experience, and more. 

SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Before selecting a program, consider how your Traveler Profile may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process. 

Check our Traveler Profile pages linked below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program. 

• Adult Learners and Non-Traditional Students
• First Generation Students
• Physical and Mental Health Histories
• Religious, Spiritual, and Non-Religious Students
• Sexual and Gender Diversity
• Students of Color Abroad
• Students with Children
• Students with Financial Need
• Veterans, Active Duty, and ROTC
• Visible and Invisible Disabilities 

All participants on this program must meet one of the following admission criteria:

• Must be a first, second or third year student in the KU Doctor of Pharmacy program AND be in good academic standing OR
• Pre-pharmacy students who have accepted admission to the School of Pharmacy and paid their deposit.

Priority will be given to students already enrolled in the KU School of Pharmacy.

Program Cost

Program Cost for Pharmacy Across the Centuries: Greece, Italy & Switzerland

Scholarships

• Students with financial need (a FAFSA on file for the current academic year) can apply for a scholarship through KU Study Abroad here.
• Students in the KU Honors Program may apply for an Honors Opportunity Award.
• Pell Grant recipients are eligible to apply for the Gilman Scholarship, a nationally competitive scholarship for Pell Grant recipients. Contact KU Study Abroad for more information.
• Visit the KU Study Abroad Costs & Funding page for additional information. 

Program Directors:

Dr. Janelle Ruisinger, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Clinical Professor, KU School of Pharmacy (jruisin1@ku.edu)

Dr. Karen Moeller, Clinical Professor, KU School of Pharmacy (kmoeller@ku.edu)

Study Abroad Program Coordinator: 
Angela Perryman, Director
Have a quick question?  Email me at:  aperryman@ku.edu