Before pharmacy became your path, what moment or experience first made you feel connected to science or healthcare on a personal level?
Growing up, I was asthmatic, and I was also very allergic to cold and dust, so I always had different inhalers, antihistamines, and sometimes antibiotics nearby just in case of an attack. Additionally, my mother is a nurse, and from time to time I would accompany her to the hospital during her shifts where I would get to have conversations with different doctors, lab technicians, and her fellow nurses. Being in that environment made healthcare feel very familiar to me from an early age to the point of knowing different medications by heart. Looking back, these experiences were really the beginning of my connection to healthcare, and they eventually contributed to my interest in pharmacy.
What was the first moment in Hungary when you realized, ‘I’m not just studying abroad — I’m growing in ways I didn’t expect?
I believe it was in 2023 summer, when I truly realized the impact studying abroad had on me as a person. Before coming to Hungary, I thought I had already reached a deep understanding of who I was, what defined me as an individual, and what my core values were. However, living here revealed many aspects of myself that I had never recognized before, and especially my weaknesses and vulnerabilities. Being away from home and from my family pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to confront those parts of myself, and through these experiences, I learned the importance of extending grace to myself, allowing myself to make mistakes, learn from them, and continue growing.
„It was then that I realized that studying abroad wasn’t only shaping my education, but it as sahing who I was becoming as a person.”
— Maryanne Wandia Guchu
What does a typical day look like for you when you’re not on campus, do you have any hobbies?
A typical day when I’m not on campus would probably find me in my room, arranging or organizing things, listening to music, reading or studying, and resting. As for my hobbies, I enjoy taking walks sometimes, journaling, and traveling. From time to time, I also like playing billiards.
What was your first impression of Debrecen and do you have a favourite spot by now?
Honestly, my first impression of Debrecen was, ‘Why is the city so quiet?’ Coming from Nairobi, which is a very busy and vibrant city, Debrecen felt incredibly calm and peaceful. Over time, that became one of the things I love most about it. The serenity and quiet atmosphere are, one of the reasons I wouldn’t mind living in Debrecen long-term. During my first two years, my favourite spot was a gyros bar called Aladdin right in the city centre. But now, I would say my favourite places are Nagyerdő park and the Debrecen University Botanical Garden. I really enjoy the peaceful environment there, especially for walking and relaxing.
Living abroad often shifts our inner compass. What belief or habit did you arrive with that Hungary challenged — or completely reshaped?
I would say it challenged the belief that I always have to be strong and have everything figured out. In the past, I was very conscious of how others perceived me, which made me focus a lot on maintaining the image of someone who always knew what to do in every situation. However, my experience in Hungary gradually reshaped that mindset. I’ve learned that life is really a journey of growth, and it’s okay not to have everything figured out in the moment. I’ve learned to trust the process and focus on taking the right steps in the present rather than trying to control every outcome.
I also learned to accept moments of uncertainty, not as a sign of weakness, but as a natural part of growth. And beautifully, that realization also taught me the importance of seeking help when I need it.
Students say that they feel connected to their international community. How will you keep in touch with your community after you graduate?
Well, thank God for technology! It makes it so much easier to stay connected. I can easily reach my friends through phone calls, although I personally prefer video calls because they feel more personal. My friends and I have also talked about planning annual meetups and possibly reunion trips in different countries. The idea is to check in with each other, see how everyone is doing, and hopefully make it our own little friendship tradition.
As a Doctor of Pharmacy student, what is one misconception about your field that you wish more people understood, especially outside the medical world?
Being a pharmacist is not just about retail or community pharmacy!
One common misconception about pharmacy is that being a pharmacist is only about working in a retail or community pharmacy and dispensing medications. Before I fully understood the field myself, I also believed that pharmacy was mostly limited to this, and this misconception actually made me hesitant to pursue it at first.
However, studying to become a Doctor of Pharmacy has shown me just how broad the profession really is. Pharmacists can work in many different areas. For example, in academia (my current favourite), where we teach and contribute to scientific research. There is also industrial pharmacy, which involves drug research and development, as well as quality control and quality assurance. We have hospital pharmacy, where pharmacists work closely with doctors and other healthcare professionals to ensure that prescribed medications are appropriate and safe for patients. And in community pharmacy, pharmacists do not only dispense medications but also counsel patients, promote compliance and medication adherence, and educate them about their treatments. So ultimately, pharmacy is far broader and more impactful than many people realize. At its core, it’s more about improving patient care and contributing to a better quality of life than just dispensing medications.
Can you describe a moment during your studies when you doubted yourself — and what pulled you through it?
Wow! This is a difficult one to answer. I would say it was during summer in 2024, after I had a challenging exam period. I had received a 3 in an 8-credit course which was hard for me because I’ve always been concerned about my grades. At the same time, I was struggling to focus while studying, and I couldn’t understand why. After my exams, I went to teach at an English summer camp, but I was still extremely exhausted. At the time I misunderstood what I was feeling. I thought it was laziness when in reality, it was burnout. The misunderstanding made the situation harder, and I started questioning why I had come to Hungary to study in the first place. What helped me through it was the support system around me. I remember having a three-hour call with a friend where I was completely overwhelmed and couldn’t stop crying. During the conversation, my friend told me something that really stayed with me: ‘You are not lazy, you are just burned out.’ That was all I needed to hear.
The words shifted my perspective. Instead of blaming myself, I started focusing on how to take care of myself and recover. Slowly, I was able to regain my balance and get back on my feet.
What are your plans after graduation?
I would like to continue my studies in Debrecen. My plan is to pursue a PhD and continue the research I started for my thesis in microbiology. I’m very interested in developing my research skills and contributing more to the field. However, if I’m not able to secure a PhD position immediately, I’m also open to working as a pharmacist in Hungary to gain professional experience on the field.
What is your favourite story, experience, or moment that you will remember and look back to?
I believe for me, one of the moments I will always hold dear to my heart from my journey was being awarded the Stipendium Hungaricum Excellence Award. Receiving the recognition meant a lot to me because it made me realize that the effort I had put in over the years had truly compounded over time. It also made me appreciate how far I have come since Thursday, September 2nd, 2021, the day I first arrived at the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport to begin my studies in Hungary.
If you could whisper one piece of advice to a future scholar on their first day in Hungary, what would you tell them that you wish someone had told you?
Don’t be in a hurry to figure everything out on day one.
This journey is not a sprint; it’s a process of growth. Take time to appreciate your new environment and give yourself the space to adapt to the changes around you. Living and studying abroad comes with many new experiences, challenges, and opportunities. Make the most of your time here. There is so much to do, so much to learn, and so many ways you can grow. Allow yourself to experience it fully.
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