Name: Juanita Beenyi
Class Year: 2026
Major: Chemistry
 
Internship Organization: Family Life Pharmacy
Internship Title:   Pharmacy Technician
Location: Winneba, Ghana
 
What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!  

At Family Life Pharmacy, I’ve been getting a real hands-on feel for what goes into patient care. I spend a good part of my day talking with patients who are either picking up prescriptions after a hospital visit or preparing for one. I help make sure they’re getting the right medications for their needs. I also run a few basic tests (like malaria, typhoid, and blood pressure checks), which give more insight into what patients are dealing with based on the symptoms they share. 

On the logistics side, I help with inventory tasks such as sourcing, ordering, and restocking pharmaceutical supplies. I also play a role in monitoring drug stock levels to prevent both shortages and overstocking, ensuring that essential medications remain available for patient care.

Why did you apply for this internship?

I was always very interested in applying for a psychology-related internship. When I found out about the opportunity to intern in Vienna, I was immediately sold. Not only would it be really cool to be able to do an internship in a different country and explore the differences in psychology and therapy between the U.S. and Austria, but, since I am from the Netherlands, it was also a chance for me to be closer to home and family. Additionally, the opportunity to work at the trauma institute in the psychotherapy department aligns well with my interests and academic goals.

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced at your internship?

Although I was raised in Ghana, I wasn’t familiar with many local languages due to the country’s ethnic diversity and the dominance of English in schools. At the pharmacy, I was surprised to find that most clients communicated in “Fante” when describing medical conditions or requesting medications. Many drugs – even foreign ones –  had local names, which made it challenging to assist them initially. However, with the support of the staff and my willingness to learn, I picked up the frequently used names over time. This experience deepened my appreciation for cultural and linguistic competence in healthcare settings.

Can you give us three adjectives and three nouns that describe your internship experience? 

Empathetic, Fast-paced, Restorative 

What is most rewarding about your internship? 

One of the most rewarding moments of my internship happened on my way to the pharmacy one morning. I was walking when I saw a middle-aged man wave at me – he was a former patient I had helped a few weeks earlier. He came into the pharmacy extremely weak, to the point that I had to assist him into a chair that day. Now, here he was, standing strong, and telling me how much better he felt after he took the medications we gave him. Seeing someone recover and knowing I played a part in that process was incredibly fulfilling. Moments like that reminds me why I am passionate about healthcare – it is not just about medicine, but about people, restoration, and hope.