Break From School

[PrepharmKID]

Just wondering if anyone has been on any trips out of the country while in school. I was thinking that if i got into pharmacy school, i'd go backpacking across europe or something the summer before. Once you finish school, it's work work work.

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[PharmRx77]

Just wondering if anyone has been on any trips out of the country while in school. I was thinking that if i got into pharmacy school, i'd go backpacking across europe or something the summer before. Once you finish school, it's work work work.

I plan to travel to Asia for a couple months before i start pharm school! Now Im working like crazy to save money...

 

[Sparda29]

I'm thinking about going to Amsterdam, UK, Germany, France, and Switzerland this summer.

 

[xscpx]

I would absolutely love to, but unless I win the lotto, it's not going to happen.

 

[bluesickle]

Luckily for me, I got backpacking through Europe out of the way already. The thought of being in debt will probably prevent me from traveling in 2009.

 

[PharmD321]

Just wondering if anyone has been on any trips out of the country while in school. I was thinking that if i got into pharmacy school, i'd go backpacking across europe or something the summer before. Once you finish school, it's work work work.

Well, money for me is not a concern and I am already planning on going backpacking to europe (after I finish pharmacy school) for one full month (Planning to go to Dublin, London, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Moscow in June of 2015 haha) before I go to work as pharmacist. The reason why I am going to do later, like after pharmacy school, is I rather use the summer breaks to get more credits for pre pharm and I need to work during the three month breaks (I would, of course, save the money and spend it on the green herb that are being legally sold in the so called "coffee shops").

By the way, my brother (goes to University of Denver) went to study abroad in the netherlands (Maastricht) and had a great time for four months!!! While he was there, he bought the euro pass and went across europe unlimited times on the train for like 100 some euros (I don't know where he bought the pass for that cheap!).... Here is an example of the euro pass....

http://www.eurail.com/1_global_pass?currency=eur

 

[bluesickle]

^^ I think people make too big of a deal about Amsterdam. Maybe I went to the wrong ones but I was really disappointed by their coffee shops and their Red Light District was really tame (i.e. I saw tour groups with bunch of old men and women being escorted through there).

The Euro pass will only allow you to go to places in the EU and you'll need to buy separate tickets to visit other European countries. Personally, I though most of Western Europe started looking the same after awhile and wished I had visited more Eastern European countries while I was there.

 

[PharmD321]

^^ I think people make too big of a deal about Amsterdam. Maybe I went to the wrong ones but I was really disappointed by their coffee shops and their Red Light District was really tame (i.e. I saw tour groups with bunch of old men and women being escorted through there).

The Euro pass will only allow you to go to places in the EU and you'll need to buy separate tickets to visit other European countries. Personally, I though most of Western Europe started looking the same after awhile and wished I had visited more Eastern European countries while I was there.

I don't know, my brother told me he had a great time in Amsterdam plus he met up with his girlfriend there (She was also studying abroad in Italy) so he didn't need to pay at all for service from a girl...

Another thing, you might be right about the coffee shops. But still it is worth a visit to experience something that doesn't happen everyday. My brother didn't talk much about the coffee shops. I think he liked to go to the clubs often in the Netherlands... but I should ask him when he comes home again...

Yes, Euro pass doesn't work in some such as ireland because it is an island. But my brother told me it worked for him when he went from London to Amsterdam, Berlin, Spain, Portugal, and throughout the country that is not an island. so which countries are you saying that it doesn't work?

 

[bluesickle]

Any country that isn't part of the European Union (i.e. Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, all the Scandinavian countries, etc.), you'll need a separate pass. There is a rail system that goes from London to Amsterdam but that's not covered by the Eurail pass either since the UK is not part of the EU. They have a special rail system that goes underwater and it's fairly expensive from what I recall, which was the reason why I nixed London as a place to visit on my trip.

If you want to be amused by the Red Light District, try going there during the morning (off hours) and then going there during the night (peak hours). It's one place where you want to avoid the "discount" section.

 

[PharmD321]

Any country that isn't part of the European Union (i.e. Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, all the Scandinavian countries, etc.), you'll need a separate pass. There is a rail system that goes from London to Amsterdam but that's not covered by the Eurail pass either since the UK is not part of the EU. They have a special rail system that goes underwater and it's fairly expensive from what I recall, which was the reason why I nixed London as a place to visit on my trip.

If you want to be amused by the Red Light District, try going there during the morning (off hours) and then going there during the night (peak hours). It's one place where you want to avoid the "discount" section.

Oh no, I totally forgot that the british uses different currency aka pound instead of the euro! You are exactly right, I think my brother flown on the airplane to Dublin first and then to London and then back to Netherlands instead...

hehe....I think that last paragraph is hilarious! I will have to see it for myself...

 

[xscpx]

Well, money for me is not a concern and I am already planning on going backpacking to europe (after I finish pharmacy school) for one full month (Planning to go to Dublin, London, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Moscow in June of 2015 haha) before I go to work as pharmacist. The reason why I am going to do later, like after pharmacy school, is I rather use the summer breaks to get more credits for pre pharm and I need to work during the three month breaks (I would, of course, save the money and spend it on the green herb that are being legally sold in the so called "coffee shops").

By the way, my brother (goes to University of Denver) went to study abroad in the netherlands (Maastricht) and had a great time for four months!!! While he was there, he bought the euro pass and went across europe unlimited times on the train for like 100 some euros (I don't know where he bought the pass for that cheap!).... Here is an example of the euro pass....

http://www.eurail.com/1_global_pass?currency=eur

Money isn't a concern??!! Are you living under a rock and totally unaware of the economic crisis??

 

[alenadoma]

Oh no, I totally forgot that the british uses different currency aka pound instead of the euro! You are exactly right, I think my brother flown on the airplane to Dublin first and then to London and then back to Netherlands instead...

hehe....I think that last paragraph is hilarious! I will have to see it for myself...

The UK has britrail, thats what we used this past summer. It goes all around England, to Scotland, Wales and (I believe) some of Ireland. It's a bit on the expensive side, but you can pick how many days you want to use it, or they have unlimited month-long passes. If I remember correctly, you can also combine it with Eurorail to go to the other western European countries. However, if you are planning on traveling a lot it is well worth the investment. You end up saving a lot of money by purchasing it in advance (it can only be purchased in the US) than you would if you just bought train tickets everytime you needed to travel. And they all have student discounts as well

 

[bluesickle]

I believe the student discount has an age limit of 25 so if you're 50 and you're a student, I don't think you can get the discount.

 

[PrepharmKID]

I believe the student discount has an age limit of 25 so if you're 50 and you're a student, I don't think you can get the discount.

Pretty sure this info is correct. I lack the energy to look it up myself now, but when I did a few months back, I vaguely remember there being an age limit. A lot of the young adults attend University out of high school, so the age limit doesn't really effect them.

 

[evilolive]

I went to Belgium two summers ago and then this year I think we're off to the Netherlands again Summer breaks are very necessary - use them wisely. If you don't, you'll go crazy!

 

[bacillus1]

I would absolutely love to, but unless I win the lotto, it's not going to happen.

Try to work abroad? That way, at least your airline ticket and accomodations are paid for.
I'm trying to do this next summer. We'll see if I get hired. Not gonna tell you which program, but I know there's at least one option for working abroad (and where there's one, there's usually more). Come February I could tell you whether I got hired or not, and what program it is regardless the outcome. There'll still be time to apply then.

Of course even if I get hired, I might not go if I get a super-awesome pharmacy internship. But who knows what the chances of that are.

 

[xscpx]

Try to work abroad? That way, at least your airline ticket and accomodations are paid for.
I'm trying to do this next summer. We'll see if I get hired. Not gonna tell you which program, but I know there's at least one option for working abroad (and where there's one, there's usually more). Come February I could tell you whether I got hired or not, and what program it is regardless the outcome. There'll still be time to apply then.

Of course even if I get hired, I might not go if I get a super-awesome pharmacy internship. But who knows what the chances of that are.

It's a little more complicated. I would need to win the lotto so my husband and I could go and pay people to care for our kitty-kids. I couldn't just leave my jobs and family and go to Europe. That's ok though, we'll get there someday.

 

[bluesickle]

It's a little more complicated. I would need to win the lotto so my husband and I could go and pay people to care for our kitty-kids. I couldn't just leave my jobs and family and go to Europe. That's ok though, we'll get there someday.

I'm sure you have vacation hours at work that you can use and you can just ditch your kids with the husband. Problem solved!

 

[Sparda29]

Money isn't a concern??!! Are you living under a rock and totally unaware of the economic crisis??

Economic crisis? Doesn't really affect anyone who didn't invest anything. I'm kinda glad that all the rich people got screwed over in the market.

I always made my payments on time so this credit crunch hasn't hit me.

 

[xscpx]

Economic crisis? Doesn't really affect anyone who didn't invest anything. I'm kinda glad that all the rich people got screwed over in the market.

I always made my payments on time so this credit crunch hasn't hit me.

That's an incredibly idiotic and untrue statement to make. Of course it has an effect! My husband for example, is a chef at a very upscale, members only restaurant. Many of those people are incredibly wealthy and lost quite a bit. Due to the amount they lost they aren't going out to $500+ dinner all too often anymore. Many big companies are attempting to cut losses as well and are not putting money in "unnecessaries" like Holiday parties. Two years ago he didn't have a single day off all of December because they had multiple parties ($$$$$$) a day and then a packed dinner night. This year he has had two weeks off this month, no holiday compensation, no personal time. Just two weeks of no pay. Being as we live off of one main salary (since I'm in school and don't make much) what do you think that does to our income? If your income for the month was cut by 60%, wouldn't you feel it as well? Try opening your damn mind before opening your mouth. That way in the future you won't make yourself look like such a fool. Economic troubles affect everyone.

 

[tootoo30]

That's an incredibly idiotic and untrue statement to make. Of course it has an effect! My husband for example, is a chef at a very upscale, members only restaurant. Many of those people are incredibly wealthy and lost quite a bit. Due to the amount they lost they aren't going out to $500+ dinner all too often anymore. Many big companies are attempting to cut losses as well and are not putting money in "unnecessaries" like Holiday parties. Two years ago he didn't have a single day off all of December because they had multiple parties ($$$$$$) a day and then a packed dinner night. This year he has had two weeks off this month, no holiday compensation, no personal time. Just two weeks of no pay. Being as we live off of one main salary (since I'm in school and don't make much) what do you think that does to our income? If your income for the month was cut by 60%, wouldn't you feel it as well? Try opening your damn mind before opening your mouth. That way in the future you won't make yourself look like such a fool. Economic troubles affect everyone.

I have to agree with you here, true I didn't lose anything with the economic crisis, but I feel sorry for the individuals that did lose money. Rich people actually work hard too! It's not right for the government to bail out companies when individuals are suffering just the same. Just my 2 cents

 

[Sparda29]

I have to agree with you here, true I didn't lose anything with the economic crisis, but I feel sorry for the individuals that did lose money. Rich people actually work hard too! It's not right for the government to bail out companies when individuals are suffering just the same. Just my 2 cents

Sorry, I don't consider the stuff that corporate executives do to be hard work. Schedule meetings, negotiate deals, have lunch, look at numbers, etc, etc.

I don't agree with the bail out either. I was hoping for a collapse of the US Auto Industry since they make terrible cars.

 

[Kruton]

Sorry, I don't consider the stuff that corporate executives do to be hard work. Schedule meetings, negotiate deals, have lunch, look at numbers, etc, etc.

I don't agree with the bail out either. I was hoping for a collapse of the US Auto Industry since they make terrible cars.

Wow. Do you realize that Ford has been making the best quality cars for several years now? If it so easy to be a CEO, why don't you do it? I could just as easily say that anyone (including pharmacists) who doesn't do construction all day doesn't work hard.

 

[Sparda29]

Wow. Do you realize that Ford has been making the best quality cars for several years now? If it so easy to be a CEO, why don't you do it? I could just as easily say that anyone (including pharmacists) who doesn't do construction all day doesn't work hard.

Name one good Ford asides from the Ford Mustang (not that good itself) and the Ford Mondeo, which is pretty much unavailable in the US.

 

[xscpx]

Sorry, I don't consider the stuff that corporate executives do to be hard work. Schedule meetings, negotiate deals, have lunch, look at numbers, etc, etc.

I don't agree with the bail out either. I was hoping for a collapse of the US Auto Industry since they make terrible cars.

Um...Did I or did I not just give you an example of how non-rich people (aka my husband and I) are affected by problems in the economy.

And you have no right to judge what is and isn't hard work. My guess is that you've never actually done any and therefore cannot comment.

I don't agree with the bailout really either, but you have to understand. If the companies go bankrupt that means millions of people are out of work. Do you realize the magnitude of that problem? Why should millions are hardworking people suffer for the mistakes of a few? I disagree with government money to "fix" the problem, but I do believe there is a solution. I truly hope for your sake that one day you actually begin to develop an understanding of how the world works. As for this topic, you just continue to make yourself look ignorant and foolish.

 

[calisoca]

everybody knows the best cars come out of Japan. When I say best, I mean most efficient , most reliable, and most affordable. I agree with sparda.

As for the topic, I road tripped to Mexico thrice while in school. Lots of booze, fireworks, and diarrhea.

 

[Sparda29]

Um...Did I or did I not just give you an example of how non-rich people (aka my husband and I) are affected by problems in the economy.

And you have no right to judge what is and isn't hard work. My guess is that you've never actually done any and therefore cannot comment.

I don't agree with the bailout really either, but you have to understand. If the companies go bankrupt that means millions of people are out of work. Do you realize the magnitude of that problem? Why should millions are hardworking people suffer for the mistakes of a few? I disagree with government money to "fix" the problem, but I do believe there is a solution. I truly hope for your sake that one day you actually begin to develop an understanding of how the world works. As for this topic, you just continue to make yourself look ignorant and foolish.

If the government is going to give them money, they are going to have to give us (the people) what we want.

Stop making cars like American cars and start copying the Germans and Japanese.

Calisoca, you're right about Japanese carts having the best reliability and affordability but they don't have the best performance. That belongs to Germany.

American cars can't corner if the lives of their drivers depended on them.

 

[Kruton]

Name one good Ford asides from the Ford Mustang (not that good itself) and the Ford Mondeo, which is pretty much unavailable in the US.

F-150
F-250
Mazda 3 & 6
Ranger

plus the Mustang. My comment was that Ford is #1 in overall quality. Not Toyota, Not Honda. Ford.

You seem to like European cars. Guess who owns Volvo.

 

[Kruton]

everybody knows the best cars come out of Japan. When I say best, I mean most efficient , most reliable, and most affordable. I agree with sparda.

As for the topic, I road tripped to Mexico thrice while in school. Lots of booze, fireworks, and diarrhea.

That's wrong. The big 3 all make cars just as efficient as Japanese cars, just as reliable, and they are more affordable. Those Japanese cars hold value really well. It is way easier to pick up a cheap Chevy than a cheap Nissan.

 

[Sparda29]

F-150
F-250
Mazda 3 & 6
Ranger

plus the Mustang. My comment was that Ford is #1 in overall quality. Not Toyota, Not Honda. Ford.

You seem to like European cars. Guess who owns Volvo.

Mazda is a Japanese car. F-150/F-250 are pickup trucks, and I haven't seen them anywhere but in the US. Asides from that, the Toyota Tundra is superior to them. Mustang is not exactly affordable, and can be easily beaten in a race by a Subaru WRX. (Going in a straight line or an oval isn't racing).

The Ranger, again that is a pickup truck.

I like European cars, yes. However, not Volvo. I like BMW, Audi, VW, Porsche.

Tell me, asides from Top Gear being a British Automotive TV Show, why don't we ever see American cars featured more?

 

[bluesickle]

Sorry, I don't consider the stuff that corporate executives do to be hard work. Schedule meetings, negotiate deals, have lunch, look at numbers, etc, etc.

I don't agree with the bail out either. I was hoping for a collapse of the US Auto Industry since they make terrible cars.

What a naive thing to say. Have you ever shadowed one of those corporate executives before? Your comment reminds me of all the negative comments I hear about pharmacists not doing "real work."

 

[Kruton]

Mazda is a Japanese car. F-150/F-250 are pickup trucks, and I haven't seen them anywhere but in the US. Asides from that, the Toyota Tundra is superior to them. Mustang is not exactly affordable, and can be easily beaten in a race by a Subaru WRX. (Going in a straight line or an oval isn't racing).

The Ranger, again that is a pickup truck.

I like European cars, yes. However, not Volvo. I like BMW, Audi, VW, Porsche.

Tell me, asides from Top Gear being a British Automotive TV Show, why don't we ever see American cars featured more?

Pickup trucks are fair game bud. And no, the Tundra is currently one of the worst, most unreliable trucks on the market right now. It is in dead last for fullsizes. I would rather have anything than a Tundra.

Mustangs are not meant to be economy cars. That Subbie comment depends on how the cars are built. Both have potential.

Ford owns Mazda.

We don't see as many American cars on Top Gear because Americans don't make near the same quantity of sporty cars as Euros do. The ones they do make are featured on there. I do not think, however, sporty cars are what the U.S. automakers need right now.

Now, I am not saying that American cars are necessarily better than other countries, but they're just as good at least.

 

[pharmaspire]

What a naive thing to say. Have you ever shadowed one of those corporate executives before? Your comment reminds me of all the negative comments I hear about pharmacists not doing "real work."

Yes, thats pretty naive. They say the higher you go the cooler it becomes. Not so in business or professional life. From the little experience I've had working as a Pharmacy tech/Microbiologist/Chemist the higher you go the hotter the seat becomes. Not only are you making decisions that affect the company but also your workers. Executives are not just responsible for crunching the numbers, but the numbers have got to project to making profit, or you get axed. Like my former boss used to tell me, dont assume till you are in it. It might not look like they do a lot from the outside, but they get very little sleep. When you move up, your hair gets grayer. Its not for nothing, its from a huge amount of responsibility

 

[diastole]

I read an article that said that it used to be that poor people worked way more hours than wealthier people. Now it is the opposite unless they have to work multiple jobs and some people do. Most 40 hour work weeks are down on the wage scale. People in high paying careers are generally putting in at least 60 hours per week and if they have a management position it is a lot more than that. Those "lazy" CEOs are most likely putting in insane hours at work and having to deal with work even on their off days and vacations. They make the big bucks but I bet they miss lots of their kids' birthday parties and soccer games. You don't get that time back.