Welcome to the wonderful world of the Student Exchange Programme (SEP). The SEP is the program that allows students to exchange with others for the purpose of knowledge & experience sharing and cultural exchange. Through SEP students get offered professional pharmacy internships in different countries interlinked to RPSA Rwanda through The IPSF.

All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveller is unaware. We live in a world that is full of beauty, charm, and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open. SEP will take you to unexplored places and offer you unique pharmacy practice in different fields in more than 60 countries. You will meet lifetime friends and share many exciting and unforgettable moments.

The RPSA Rwanda as an IPSF member organization organizes the exchanges by finding host sites where the students are trained. The programme runs throughout the year (Winter version and Summer version). The length is usually 2 weeks up to 3 months, and possible host sites include: 

·         Community pharmacy;

·         Hospital pharmacy; For Teaching Hospitals, the University requests to pay a fee of 100$ per intern.

·         Clinical pharmacy;

·         Wholesale pharmacy;

·         Research at the biotechnology lab complex, University of Rwanda laboratory located in Huye, Southern province of Rwanda.

During the exchange, participants can share and develop pharmaceutical knowledge and skills. At the same time, this is a unique opportunity to experience new cultures, try different food, meet friends, learn new languages, visit beautiful places and enjoy your vacations by enriching yourself in different ways.

Who can participate?

For Incoming students: Pharmacy students and recent graduates who belong to an IPSF Member Organisation can apply for SEP through their association. If your association is not a member of IPSF, you can apply for Individual Membership first and then apply as an Individual Member.

Available months and cities

May - September January-March

The cities available for the moment are Kigali (and its suburbs), and Huye(Butare).

Type accommodation

Some students (3 or 4) will be hosted at the pharmacist's or at a student's home(host families). This student will not have to pay for staying with a host family.
And others will have to pay for their accommodation in the place agreed together with the SEO. If the accommodation is in a student's home, the student will have to agree with his host and participate like a housemate.

Board, pocket money or other financial benefits/remuneration

Unfortunately, No pocket money or remuneration is provided by AEPHAR/RPSA. However, many employers may provide pocket money and/or remuneration to their trainees. During night events/social events or other trips, discounts may be discussed or much better the association could pay for some of the trip tickets and events.

Social events

The Heart of Africa, Rwanda, the land of a Thousand Hills! Rwanda is a green undulating landscape of hills, gardens and tea plantations. It offers a one-of-a-kind journey, Home to one-third of the world's remaining Mountain Gorillas, one-third of Africa's bird species; and several species of primates; Volcanoes and crater lake trips; Congo - Nile Trail; resorts and islands on the expansive Lake Kivu; Graceful dancers; artistic crafts; museums and friendly people; Canopy trips and waterfalls; Comedy and karaoke nights.

We also organize a SEP weekend for students, usually, this will be at the weekend when most SEP students are in our country. Many hosts organize some activities as well, take the students for trips during the weekends, and if you want a day off to get around, no matter what, just announce that early. Other trips or excursions may be organized on participating student's demand.

Language requirements: English for most of the pharmacy students and young people speak quite good English, French for older people and Kinyarwanda for the native language.

Information on Work Permits and Visa

The link to Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration, all the information about VISA requirements available here and you can apply online here.

• Nationals of Australia, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, Republic of South Africa, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States of America shall get entry visa and pay fee upon arrival at any Rwanda entry point without prior application. The entry visa fee is 30USD, valid for a period of up to 30 days.
• EAC Partner states citizens are issued with 6 months visitors’ renewable pass at entry points with no fee.
• DRC citizens get visitor visa for a stay not exceeding 90 days with no fee as provided by the CEPGL agreement.
• Nationals of Singapore, Hong Kong, Mauritius and Philippines are exempted from entry/tourism visa for a stay of up to 90 days.
• Nationals of African countries visa fee shall continue getting entry visa at Rwanda entry points.
• Nationals of countries not mentioned above shall get visa upon application before travelling and pay the prescribed fee.
• The SEO will help you get a Visa by sending you an invitation letter and give all the documents you might need

Selection Procedures

·         Done by hosts (employer) and SEO,

·         Bilateral exchanges are highly favourited (especially for students to be hosted)

There is no deadline to apply for SEP in Rwanda and all interested students are welcome.

For Outgoing students: Pharmacy students and recent graduates who are full members of RPSA  can apply for SEP through the Student Exchange office of the RPSA. The list of all participating associations and countries is listed in the 'Countries' tab available on the IPSF website. You can view a lot of information about each association and also view evaluations posted by past SEP participants.