Student Exchange Program (SEP)

RPSA Rwanda organizes exchanges by finding host sites where students can be trained and supervised. Possible host sites include pharmacy practice, supply, clinical, and research environments.

The main availability windows are May to September and January to March. The cities currently available are Kigali, including its suburbs, and Huye (Butare).

Some students, usually 3 or 4, may be hosted at a pharmacist's or student's home as host-family accommodation. Students hosted by a family do not have to pay for that accommodation.

Other students may need to pay for accommodation in a place agreed together with the Student Exchange Officer. If the accommodation is in a student's home, the student should agree with the host and participate like a housemate.

AEPHAR/RPSA does not provide pocket money or remuneration. Some employers may provide pocket money or remuneration to their trainees.

During night events, social events, or trips, discounts may be discussed. In some cases, the association may support part of the cost for trip tickets or events.

Rwanda, the Heart of Africa and the land of a Thousand Hills, offers a green landscape of hills, gardens, and tea plantations. SEP students may experience mountain gorilla tourism, birdlife, primates, volcanoes and crater lakes, the Congo-Nile Trail, Lake Kivu resorts and islands, graceful dancers, artistic crafts, museums, canopy trips, waterfalls, comedy nights, karaoke nights, and friendly people.

RPSA also organizes a SEP weekend, usually when most SEP students are in the country. Hosts may organize activities or take students on weekend trips. Other excursions can be organized based on participating students' demand.

Incoming students can be pharmacy students or recent graduates who belong to an IPSF member organization. They can apply for SEP through their association. If their association is not an IPSF member, they can apply for individual IPSF membership first and then apply as an individual member.

Outgoing students can be pharmacy students or recent graduates who are full members of RPSA. They can apply for SEP through the Student Exchange Office of RPSA. Participating associations and countries are listed on the IPSF website, where students can also view association information and evaluations from past SEP participants.

English is used by most pharmacy students and young people. French can be useful with older people, and Kinyarwanda is the native language.

Students should always check current visa requirements through the Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration before travelling. The official visitors visa guidance explains where applications are made, fees, validity, travel document requirements, and whether work is permitted.

The Student Exchange Officer can support incoming students by sending an invitation letter and providing documents that may be needed for the visa process.