Valentýn Dudka, Czech Republic, CzPSA
Summer 2026, internship in the Tartu Town Hall Community Pharmacy and Kvartal Pharmacy
My SEP experience
Right from the start I would like to say that my SEP was amazing. I do not think I could have chosen a better place than Estonia. All of that would be impossible, if not for our SEP officer, Janeli, so in this way I would like to thank her. I spent most of the time in Tartu Town Hall Pharmacy.
It was interesting to see differences between Czech and Estonian pharmacies. The biggest difference would be that doctors in Estonia prescribe medication by active pharmaceutical ingredient, whereas in the Czech republic prescriptions are written by brand names. Also the system in which we organize medication is different. In Czech pharmacies we organize them in alphabetical order, while in Estonia it is by ATC codes, which adds pretty well to their system of prescribing. I was mainly compounding, but I also tried dispensing to some extent. It was a great experience and I really felt like part of the team there.
Outside the pharmacy, the rest of our stay was also pretty stuffed with activities. We got to know Tartu pretty well. We visited the beer museum, tried canoeing, went to a football match, visited the botanical garden, listened to an orchestra performance and swam in Lake Peipus which is quite near. One of my favourite activities was sauna, I enjoyed it so much, that I had to buy myself a sauna hat.
We also traveled to Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia. In the historical city centre, which was beautiful and well preserved, was located the oldest pharmacy not only in Estonia but in all of Europe. It was established in 1422 and we had some sort of private tour there. After that we walked around the city and thanks to our local guide Robin this trip was packed with interesting facts and engaging.
Thanks to Janeli we had a chance to see Estonian nature. We visited Valgesoo study trail with typical bog vegetation and climbed the observation tower for a beautiful view. After that we visited Taevaskodade hiking trail with a nice forest landscape, followed by a visit of the highest peak in Estonia called Suur Munamägi (Big Egg Mountain). It may not be that tall (318 meters above sea level) but the view from up there was still breathtaking. Our nature trip was finished by Rõuge primeval valley hiking trail which also featured an observation tower, now with the shape of a stork’s nest.
Towards the end of our stay we also had an opportunity to visit Saaremaa. We managed to see Kuressaare with its triangular city centre and fortress. Lastly, we went seal watching, which was the cherry on top, and I really enjoyed it. The whole exchange was a very enriching experience and I would recommend it to everyone without hesitation. This summary is just a tip of the iceberg. Estonia is a beautiful country full of generous and kind people and I cannot describe in words, how thankful I am to everyone who took us under their wings.
Ece Atikeler, Turkey, AUPSG
Winter 2026, internship in the Tartu Town Hall Community Pharmacy + visits to the National Medicines Agency and University of Tartu Clinic
My SEP journey took place in Tartu, Estonia, and it was a truly wonderful and unforgettable experience.
During my placement, I was exposed to hospital pharmacy, community pharmacy and also the Medicines Agency, which gave me a broader understanding of how the pharmaceutical system functions at different levels. This experience significantly deepened my insight into pharmaceutical practice within another healthcare system. Coordinator, Janeli, together with the pharmacy staff, were extremely kind, supportive, and welcoming. They made a great effort to guide me through every step and ensure I was actively learning throughout the experience.
Beyond the professional aspect, I also had the opportunity to immerse myself in Estonian culture. I learned a lot about daily life and traditions, and I even had the chance to experience the traditional sauna culture firsthand, which was a unique and memorable part of my stay.
Overall, the people were very hospitable and warm, which made the entire experience even more meaningful. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and everything I gained both professionally and personally during my time in Estonia.
Daniel Fišer, (Czech Republic, CzPSA)
Summer 2026, internship in the Tartu Town Hall Community Pharmacy and Kvartal Pharmacy
This summer, me and my friend Valentyn took part in the Student Exchange Programme in Estonia. We decided to combine this experience with our mandatory pharmacy internship for the fourth year of our studies. We did our internship in a pharmacy, Raekoja Apteek aka Tartu Town Hall Community Pharmacy, which is located right in the center of the picturesque city of Tartu. The staff there was incredibly friendly and everything went really smoothly. We took away a lot of useful experience.
Most importantly, we got to see the main differences between the Czech and Estonian pharmacy systems. The biggest differences in the daily routine are quite interesting. For example, doctors prescribe the active ingredient (API) instead of the brand name of the medicine. Because of this, the pharmacist always has to offer the cheapest available product on stock to the patient first. Another thing is that medicines on the shelves are organized by their ATC classification, not alphabetically like we are used to. We also noticed strict rules for storing certain medications. Besides opioids, drugs like benzodiazepines, pregabalin, and gabapentin are kept separately in a special locked cabinet. We learned that this is because they are currently quite common street drugs in Estonia.
But our days weren’t just about the pharmacy! Thanks to our Estonian friends and our great organizer, Janeli, we discovered the beauty of Tartu , a city that is very lively but peaceful at the same time. They also introduced us to traditional Estonian cuisine. And, of course, as true Czech citizens, we couldn’t miss the chance to visit a local brewery. We saw an exhibition about the history of local brewing and enjoyed a tasting of Estonian beer. A public concert by the Tartu Philharmonia was also a truly enriching experience. We also got to try a real Estonian sauna. It was something unbelievable! We completely fell in love with the sauna itself and the whole ritual around it. It was such a wonderful and relaxing time spent with our friends.
We travelled around the country too. We conquered the highest point of Estonia, the “Egg Mountain” (Suur Munamägi), and visited the oldest pharmacy in the historic center of Tallinn. We also explored a picturesque river valley and took a walk through beautiful, typical Estonian bogs.
At the very end of our stay, we travelled to the island of Saaremaa. We explored the town center and the fortress in Kuressaare and even got to experience what a typical Estonian family celebration looks like. We visited a fish farm and enjoyed a really exciting, unique boat trip on the sea to watch seals, which was something very unusual for us. On the way back, we watched an absolutely amazing sunset. It felt like the sunset perfectly symbolized the end of our Estonian adventure.
Overall, our stay in Estonia was a very pleasant experience. We can’t wait to return the hospitality and welcome our friends if they ever travel to Central Europe.
Petr Gregusi SEP Eestis 2008 (Tšehhi)
Tere,
my name is Petr Gregus, I am from Czech Republic, I am studying pharmacy and I was in Estonia for my practice as an exchange student.
I spent a very beautiful time and learned lot’s of things about estonian Health care and pharmacy system.
Before I leaved Czech Republic I was a little worried about how my practice will be. But when I lended in Tallinn all was OK. Thanks Grete Kadak, who was taking care on me I will never forget this.
I came to Estonia in the time , where there were two national holidays. And it was great time and I met some new good friends. I started my work in Marjamõisa Hospital in Tartu.
I work under kliiniline proviisor Jana Lass. She showed me how the system in hospital is working, what did they prepared ex tempore, also about laws. She also provided for me excursions to oncological centre in regional hospital in Tallinn, where Kristjan Kongi showed how they prepared cytostatics medicine and I learned rules about them and whole work, and also Jana provided for me excursion to Pharmaceutical Institute in Tartu, so I have seen ,where students of pharmacy in Estonia are learning in laboratories and I also met Prof. Peep Veski, head of the Department of Pharmacy.
I also visited Children’s clinic and second part of the pharmacy there. I enjoyed work in hospital, I liked morning visits patiens with doctors in traumatology and orthopedy and then in cardiology, and controling of medication and pain contol of patiens.
My second part of my practice was in communal pharmacy- Tartu Ülikooli Kesklinna Apteek.
There I learned also lot’s of things thanks to proviisor Anne Viidalepp. Also whole stuff in hospital and in this pharmacy was great. I am thinking I got all informations about the Pharmaceutical and Health care in Estonia. In this communal pharmacy I was working with medicines, contol the goods from wholesales companiest and put them all in right place in the pharmacy, learned more about veterinary medicines, about the prescription in Estonia, also I was working in the laboratory. Also I have celebrating birthdays in hospital and pharmacy with colleagues. I liked working the Kesklinna Apteek also, I liked that it is very big pharmacy and also how they are taking pharmaceutical care to the patiens, giving advices and helping. For better conception about diseases so I and Grete and one friend have visiting Medical museum in Tartu. I also discovering some places in Estonia, Latvia and Finland.
I am recommending Estonia to everybody to go there ? nice country, nice people, nice work.
I hope to get there again and again. Thanks for this chance to be part of it.
Greeting from Czech Republic
Petr
Maja SEP Eestis 2015 (Sloveenia)
Tere, I am Maja from Slovenia. I was in Estonia on SEP practice in July 2015. I chose Estonia because it was quite unknown to me. I also read great article about SEP practice there. When I came to Estonia I knew that an amazing experience was waiting on me. And I wasn’t wrong!
I had practice for 14 days. I was working in The Hospital Pharmacy of the Clinics of Tartu University. It was really unforgettable! In hospital I was preparing powders, solutions, ointments? I also saw oncologic department of the hospital. Almost every day I got clinical problem and I tried to solve it. Latter we discussed about it with my mentor. Team in hospital was amazing. They really took time for me and told me everything I was interested in. They showed me aseptic preparation and explained to me the system of hospital pharmacy in Estonia.
The social program was great too. Estonian students really took care of us. They organized a lot of different events and activities for us: adventure park, sauna evening, Taevaskoja, guided tour in Tallinn, visiting faculty of pharmacy? I never got bored there. I was discovering some places in Estonia too. I was in Pärnu, Tallinn and Viljandi. I need to say that Estonia is really beautiful!
At the same time two girls were there in SEP practise: from Poland and from Slovakia. It was really pleasure to meet them and all these Estonian students. I really enjoyed my SEP practice. I definitely recommend it! Why? Because Estonia simply inspires! Thanks again for exciting memories! I am happy that I was a part of this story.
Tänan!
