Pharmacy graduate Burde enjoys Idaho State University’s international flavor

Anushka Burde, an Idaho State University international student originally from Mumbai, India, has enjoyed the international flavor of ISU while earning three degrees, first Bachelor of Science degrees in chemistry and biochemistry, and then a Pharm.D. degree she’ll be awarded at ISU commencement May 9.

“A lot of students come from other countries to ISU because the United States has a good educational system at the college level. It has been really good here,” Burde said. “At ISU I have had a chance to meet friends from all over the world. It has been very nice.”

Those experiences will be a bonus for her down the road.

“As a pharmacist it will help me a lot because I can relate with people from different parts of the world with different cultural backgrounds,” she said.

When her father’s job was transferred to Pocatello, Burde moved to Southeast Idaho with her family, including her mother and brother. She had already attended college in India for two years before the move.

“I think the biggest thing for moving from India to Pocatello was adjusting to the weather,” Burde said. “In Mumbai the weather is hot and humid all the time. Pocatello is really cold and dry. It was really a big change for me.”

Burde said she felt at home at ISU and studying here has helped build her confidence and improved her communication skills.

“We have excellent teachers and the curriculum has been designed well to make us successful pharmacists,” she said. “The ISU pharmacy program has made me achieve a sense of responsibility and compassion for people.”

Burde is an accomplished student who was listed on the Dean’s List at both the ISU College of Pharmacy and the College of Science and Engineering. She has also worked at the Eli M. Oboler library where she has helped at activities and events such as the miniature golf fundraiser, ISU Author’s Exhibit, Week of Welcome, library displays, documentation, filing and many more.

“I have always enjoyed studying at the library. Everyone at the library was really friendly and nice to talk to,” Burde said. “This made me want to work there. I love my job. I have had great supervisors and I was able to make some great friends and I will always be thankful that I got such a wonderful opportunity to be a part of Eli M. Oboler library.”

She also worked at the Bengal Pharmacy on the ISU campus.

“Working the Bengal Pharmacy was very helpful overall, helping me learn how to counsel people on their medications, how to take it, and just dealing overall with patients, the computer systems and insurance companies,” Burde said.

As for Burde’s future, she said, “I think education at ISU will help me find a really good job as a pharmacist and it will also allow me to serve our society as a health professional.”