Megan Tran is a current PY3 on our Chapel Hill Campus. She is currently living at home in Greensboro, NC for her 3rd-year immersion experience. She graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2016 and earned her BA in Biology. She took a luxury of a gap year and entered the pharmacy program at the Eshelman School of Pharmacy (ESOP) in the fall of 2017. She is currently a part of the Sit with Senate Committee as an Assistant Editor. Today, Sit with Senate’s Jisun Ban interviewed Megan Tran.
✰ Fun Fact: She went abroad for the first time this past summer and caught the ‘travel bug.’ Megan states, “if anyone has any good suggestions, please send them my way!”
Jisun (SwS): Now that you are PY3, I’m sure you have had some ups and downs. What are some of the best moments at the UNC – Eshelman School of Pharmacy (ESOP)?
Megan (MT): I don’t think I can pinpoint it down to one significant moment. Honestly, I think my best moments were experiencing the little things at ESOP. I think it comes down to the meaningful and small collective gestures I have observed throughout my time at the school thus far. I think that experiencing the support in real-time in our ‘Pharmily’s’ time of need are some of the best moments for me. It serves as a gentle reminder that I am not alone.
SwS: What’s your plan after graduating from pharmacy school?
MT: Wow, coming out with the big question here! I think the most generic answer would be for me to pass the NAPLEX exam. As far as where I’m going in this vast field of pharmacy, I’m still trying to figure that out. Sometimes I feel a little pressed for time to know what I really want to do before I graduate. However, I also know that only time will tell whether I’m going straight to work, pursuing a residency, or doing a fellowship. I really want to experience more areas before I can fully answer this question for myself. Until then, I’m looking forward to seeing where this journey takes me!
SwS: What do you like to do to relieve stress from school/work/immersion?
MT: There are many things I like to do to relieve my stress. It really depends on what I’m in the mood to do that particular moment. Some days when I become overwhelmed, I like to give myself some ‘Megan’ time, like being in my own space at home. I also have a 2.5-year-old little sister, so playing with her and seeing her carefree attitude helps me release some of the tension I may feel. Talking to my mom or closest friends also helps me out whenever I need help sorting out my thoughts with stressful situations. I can’t move on to the next question if I don’t mention my adoration for Kpop music. I mainly listen to BTS, a very popular Kpop band, whenever I need a ‘pick me up.’ I have listened to them in my times of need ever since I was a junior in college, so they hold a special place in my heart. I can just put their music on and have a jam session by myself. Most of the time, it’s just me in my car, trying to sing my lungs out with BTS songs. Private karaoke sessions really help me get rid of any negative energy I may feel.
SwS: What inspired you to join Sit with Senate?
MT: At the time, I was searching for something to be involved in that would be a good fit for me. I tried observing and experiencing different organizations when I was a PY1, but I didn’t quite feel like I belonged anywhere. I guess that’s one of the struggles when you’re unsure of what you want to do in the future. Despite that, it wasn’t until you (Jisun) shared with me that you were a part of SwS, and you encouraged me to try it out. Of course, I had to ask you what kind of organization it was because it was my first time hearing about it. I seriously contemplated about your offer and your pitch about SwS. I thought the organization itself had a unique approach to combine pharmacy folks with multimedia to allow others the opportunity to know their pharmacy community. It’s a space where I get to express my thoughts in writing, and I like the fact that it allows me to have many genuine one-on-one conversations with my peers, professors, and ESOP alumnus.
SwS: If you could be any medicine in the world, what Med would you be and why?
MT: Tacrolimus, an anti-rejection medication, because it reminds me of having second chances. While other medications can also do this, I chose this because a dear family friend utilizes this medicine. I won’t go into details about her condition, but she did receive a transplant, and it has changed her life for the better. I am really happy for her, and I can’t imagine what others who get a transplant must feel like. I do know that despite the hardships, one may go through during this time, this is a medication that helps keep their second chance for a long time.