RSU graduate Elizabete Paula Valguma: Pharmacists are the link between sickness and health

‘I didn't get into chemistry at school until the very end of high school. At first, I wanted to pursue a career in languages. However, I chose to study pharmacy because I wanted to work with people, and the field would also combine chemistry and biology,’ says Elizabete Paula Valguma. Valguma, who is now a lecturer at her alma mater, graduated from Rīga Stradiņš University's (RSU) 2nd level professional Pharmacy study programme last year concedes that her path to becoming a pharmacist was not easy, but that her studies were very interesting:

‘My fellow students and I counted that we would have to study seven or eight different types of chemistry, which seemed like a lot! But overall, I can say that the studies were very diverse. I liked that we got to try out a lot of chemical reactions in practice.

There were also many different internship opportunities – in hospital pharmacies, in the industry, and as a pharmacist in regular pharmacies. At RSU, you study in a new, modern building, have modern laboratories, and have the opportunity to do your own research.’

After her studies, Valguma stayed on at RSU and now teaches pharmacology to international students while also working in a pharmacy.

‘A pharmacist's work is very diverse,’ she explains, ‘Industry, pharmacies, laboratories, research – it’s all within a pharmacist’s field of work.’

‘To become a pharmacist, first of all, you have to have the confidence and the desire to do it, because you can learn the rest,’ says Valguma, ‘You have to be tolerant, patient, willing to help others, and do your job well.’