In this engaging episode, Hibaterrahmane (Hiba) Zitouni, shares her unique journey into the pharmacy profession, starting with a serendipitous entry into pharmacy school in the UAE. Hiba earned her Bachelor of Pharmacy in 2023 as an Algerian international student in the UAE,  and is currently navigating the licensure process in the country.  She has been named class valedictorian in her year group which fills her with gratitude for the unwavering support from her mentors, peers, and loved ones who believed in her every step of the way.  Her journey thus far has been one of curiosity and discovery,  propelled by exploring novel avenues of contribution as a healthcare provider. Along the way, she has actively participated in various research projects, receiving recognition for her contributions, such as winning the top prize award at the research competition in DUPHAT Furthermore, she is immensely thankful for the excellence scholarships she received throughout all four years of college.  During this episode, Hiba provides a detailed account of her academic and practical training, shedding light on the diverse and sometimes challenging practices across different institutions. Hiba emphasises the need for a unified approach in pharmacy, highlighting her resilience and determination in navigating these challenges. Our discussion touches on cultural nuances in healthcare, comparing practices in the UAE and the UK, and underscores the importance of adapting to diverse healthcare models.  Hiba shares valuable insights into the intricacies of working as a pharmacist in the UAE, including language barriers, networking, and the perception of pharmacists by the public. A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the licensing procedures for pharmacists in the UAE, detailing the complexities and requirements for obtaining licenses based on different Emirates and qualifications. Hiba also talks about her aspirations for further education and the importance of work-life balance, emphasising adaptability and continuous learning. Overall, this episode provides a candid exploration of pharmacy practice in the UAE, highlighting the challenges and rewards of working in a multicultural environment.  SIGN UP to my NEWSLETTER below so you’ll be the first to know when new episodes are being released. You’ll also receive regular inspiration, tips, tools, and free content. https://pharmacistdiaries.ck.page/newsletter PARTNERSHIPS: The Naked Pharmacy is offering my podcast listeners a 20% discount on all their products. Use discount code PD20 at checkout to receive the offer. ⁠⁠⁠https://www.thenakedpharmacy.com/⁠⁠⁠ Healf is offering my podcast listeners a 10% discount on all their products. Use the following link to purchase products and the discount code will be applied at checkout. ⁠⁠⁠https://healf.com/?snowball=ANISHA11032⁠⁠⁠   CONNECT WITH HIBA: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hibaterrahmane-zitouni-577923202/ FILMED AND EDITED BY: Sunjay Vyas: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.sunjav.uk/⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on⁠⁠⁠ My Website⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ YouTube⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠, and/or⁠⁠⁠ Twitter⁠⁠⁠. Feel free to subscribe to the podcast on your favourite podcast platform so you can be notified when a new episode is released or leave a review on apple podcasts. If you have any suggestions for guests you want me to talk to or if you’d like to come on yourself, please feel free to contact me via social media, or email at [email protected].