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Laura.pharm · 02-29-2008, 07:33 PM

Hello everybody,
I would appreciate any suggestion regarding my problem. I am foreign pharmacist. Even though I was hired as a pharmacy intern by the pharmacy chain in US, I am officially a pharm. tech ( according to US license). I already passed my FPGEE in December 2007. However, I can't obtain my FPGEE certificate because I didn't pass TOEFL yet. So, TOEFL test is holding me back. There are no words to describe how angry I am regarding this Test. Anyway, my chain pharmacy promised H1 visa to me. However, I just received news that they can't do it for me because I am not a pharmacy intern, at least officially. The time is running for me. My visa will end up in August this year. Do you think that my tech. license would be a reason for H1 visa, while I am struggling with TOEFL? Should I try another pharmacy chain? I am really desperate...... an really appreciate any thoughts or suggestions.

pharmalady · 02-29-2008, 11:19 PM

Hello Laura pharm,

I can imagine what you are going through but my sincere advice is that you should keep giving toefl your best shot. I want to believe you have the best materials to practice with and I would also suggest that you practice the speaking section on your own by recording your responses so that you can work specifically on your weakness. For me my goal on test day was to be the first to start my test, be fast with my reading and listening so as to gain time for my speaking section because it really helps your concentration if you are the only one talking at the center. It is also very important to stop analysing how well you have done in the speaking section once you are done with it so that you can give maximum concentration to the writing section.

Well, for we foreign pharmacist we have come to realise that toef ibt speaking section is not a measure of how well you can communicate in english but how well you perform on test day. Do not be discouraged by how many times you have taken the test but be spured on by what you want to achieve(Fpgec certification.) because really no chain would want to have anything to do with you if they think that you are not measuring up to expectation. They are not patient enough to understand what you are going through. Keep registering for the test you will definately be lucky to have a good pull of questions. Be confident when it comes to the speaking and speak out loud. Ordering for a rescore is another option you may want to explore.

Laura pharm dont,t be discouraged because it is too early in the scheme of things to pave way for such feelings. There are so many challenges every step of the way. Even when you have your Fpgec certificate and visa to work , they still try to make things difficult for you coming up with all types of tricks and conditions. We all need to be strong and continue to exhibit strong peserverance and determination which will be a pointer to the stuff we are made of. I always at any little opportunity I get prove that we foreign pharmacist are strong and don,t give up easily. we always pursure every issue to the very successful end.

I have faith in you and I believe you can do it again. Prove them wrong one more time. I hope to hear the good news soon because as soon as you are done with toefl your chain store would be willing to apply for your visa.

Laura.pharm · 03-01-2008, 12:59 AM

Hello Pharmalady,
Thank you for support.
I usually do the same on the test day. I am the first one in the classroom to start the test , the first who speaks and the first who done with the test.
Common, I've been taking this test 5 times! ( Isn't that pathetic?) I do have program in my computer that records my speech. It's very close to imitation of the real test, so I practice regularly. I've been thinking... Maybe they just don't like my intonation? Maybe they prefer monotonic speech? What do you think? I understand from your respond that you're done with the TOEFL. Did you pass from the very first time? What intonation did you speak?
Once again, thank you for support. I really need it.

pharmalady · 03-01-2008, 04:44 PM

Hi Laura pharm,

To answer your questions : Yes, I am done with Toefl ibt and NO, I did not meet Fpgec requirement at my first sitting. I just want you to realise that you are not the only one having problems with toefl. My first experience was quite understandable because I met the 26 speaking cut off but had 23 in the writing section. I said understandable because, prior to that time, I was very slow typing on the computer. This prompted me to buy a book to study for toefl ibt(initially I thought I did not need a book to pass toefl the Fpgec way).

Then I started learning how to type on the computer desperately with particular emphasis on speed. When I became bold enough I offered to register again for toefl ibt but unfortunately there were no available seats in my area of residence. Well, I drove about two hours to the city that had available seats. On the test day I worked on my confidence and gave maximum concentration to each section of the exam. At the end of the test I was satisfied with my performance. Alas!! the result came out and I had 29 in reading,25 in listening, 23 in speaking, and 28 in writtng. You can imagine how discouraged I was . For the rest of that day I was glooming but on the next day I ordered for a rescore of my speaking section and I also registered to retake the toefl test.

I prayed to God for a positive outcome of my rescore because I was so confident that I did well in that test. Well the day to retake the test came before I got my rescore result and had to drive about three hours to write a simple toefl test. Would you believe that my test was completely messed up due to some technical hitch faced by the center? I went back home totally devastated. Two weeks after this incident I got my rescore result with a 28 score in the speaking. That marked the end of my agony with toefl. Right now I have my Fpgec certificate(got it last year december), my intern certificate, I am registered to take the Naplex in less than a month and I don't need visa sponsorship BUT I still cannot find a chain to hire me as an intern without conditions and contracts.

With all this going on, I have resolved to direct all my energy and intellect towards my Naplex because on the long run, passing this landmark test will ultimately give me a voice that will be heard.
I am writing you all this so that you can realise that challenges are bound at every stage and we are here to surmont the challenges. I come from a country where Britsh kind of english is our lingua franca and I have spoken english from childwood. All my education was in english and the irony of the whole thing is that the Americans always compliment me when they here me speak saying "we love the way you speak english with your Britsh accent". Mind you I am an African. Be encouraged sis, and continue to give it your best shot. You shall overcome.

Laura.pharm · 03-03-2008, 01:27 AM

Hi Pharmalady,
That was a nightmare story!
I think you have very strong personality. Also, I think that I would be hysterically crying for a week or so after same event.
After your story I really think that I'm not alone.
I have a question. Foreign pharmacist has requirement to collect 1000-1500hrs ( depending on state) of working experience as an intern. You mentioned that you can't find a drug store chain to hire you. So, I am wondering how did you collect these hours to be able to sit for a NAPLEX?

pharmalady · 03-03-2008, 09:28 PM

Hi Laura pharm,
In the state of texas, it is mandatory that you sit and pass your naplex and mpje within three months of obtaining your fpgec certificate otherwise you would not be able to proceed with your internship. It is more appropriate to say Naplex and Mpje before internship.

sagardip · 03-03-2008, 11:50 PM

Hi Laura,
I am in Texas Houston ,I passed fpgee in june 2007. Now I am trying to pass toefl ibt. I am canadian citizen. I have td visa because my husband has tn visa. I want to work as pharm tech. can I do that? if yes then how can I do that? please let me know.

Henripharm · 03-07-2008, 03:24 PM

Hi Laura.

Can I ask you where are you from??? If you are from Brazil, please, let me know.

Best regards.

zyvox · 03-07-2008, 05:54 PM

Hi Pharmalady,

I think we are in the same boat.
I had a question.
Can you rescore in just one section of the TOEFL, without having to take all rest?

-

pharmalady · 03-07-2008, 10:37 PM

Hello zyvox,
Yes , you can order for a rescore of just one section of the toefl ibt test. Actually only the speaking and the writing sections can be rescored. Give it a shot and I wish you all the best in your future endeavours.

02-29-2008, 07:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
Laura.pharm Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 25	H1 visa for foreign pharmacist Hello everybody, I would appreciate any suggestion regarding my problem. I am foreign pharmacist. Even though I was hired as a pharmacy intern by the pharmacy chain in US, I am officially a pharm. tech ( according to US license). I already passed my FPGEE in December 2007. However, I can't obtain my FPGEE certificate because I didn't pass TOEFL yet. So, TOEFL test is holding me back. There are no words to describe how angry I am regarding this Test. Anyway, my chain pharmacy promised H1 visa to me. However, I just received news that they can't do it for me because I am not a pharmacy intern, at least officially. The time is running for me. My visa will end up in August this year. Do you think that my tech. license would be a reason for H1 visa, while I am struggling with TOEFL? Should I try another pharmacy chain? I am really desperate...... an really appreciate any thoughts or suggestions.

03-07-2008, 05:54 PM	#9 (permalink)
zyvox Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 9	Hi Pharmalady, I think we are in the same boat. I had a question. Can you rescore in just one section of the TOEFL, without having to take all rest? - Last edited by knok : 03-07-2008 at 06:32 PM. Reason: i, (.)

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02-29-2008, 11:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
pharmalady Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 27	Hello Laura pharm, I can imagine what you are going through but my sincere advice is that you should keep giving toefl your best shot. I want to believe you have the best materials to practice with and I would also suggest that you practice the speaking section on your own by recording your responses so that you can work specifically on your weakness. For me my goal on test day was to be the first to start my test, be fast with my reading and listening so as to gain time for my speaking section because it really helps your concentration if you are the only one talking at the center. It is also very important to stop analysing how well you have done in the speaking section once you are done with it so that you can give maximum concentration to the writing section. Well, for we foreign pharmacist we have come to realise that toef ibt speaking section is not a measure of how well you can communicate in english but how well you perform on test day. Do not be discouraged by how many times you have taken the test but be spured on by what you want to achieve(Fpgec certification.) because really no chain would want to have anything to do with you if they think that you are not measuring up to expectation. They are not patient enough to understand what you are going through. Keep registering for the test you will definately be lucky to have a good pull of questions. Be confident when it comes to the speaking and speak out loud. Ordering for a rescore is another option you may want to explore. Laura pharm dont,t be discouraged because it is too early in the scheme of things to pave way for such feelings. There are so many challenges every step of the way. Even when you have your Fpgec certificate and visa to work , they still try to make things difficult for you coming up with all types of tricks and conditions. We all need to be strong and continue to exhibit strong peserverance and determination which will be a pointer to the stuff we are made of. I always at any little opportunity I get prove that we foreign pharmacist are strong and don,t give up easily. we always pursure every issue to the very successful end. I have faith in you and I believe you can do it again. Prove them wrong one more time. I hope to hear the good news soon because as soon as you are done with toefl your chain store would be willing to apply for your visa.

03-01-2008, 12:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
Laura.pharm Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 25	Hello Pharmalady, Thank you for support. I usually do the same on the test day. I am the first one in the classroom to start the test , the first who speaks and the first who done with the test. Common, I've been taking this test 5 times! ( Isn't that pathetic?) I do have program in my computer that records my speech. It's very close to imitation of the real test, so I practice regularly. I've been thinking... Maybe they just don't like my intonation? Maybe they prefer monotonic speech? What do you think? I understand from your respond that you're done with the TOEFL. Did you pass from the very first time? What intonation did you speak? Once again, thank you for support. I really need it.

03-01-2008, 04:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
pharmalady Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 27	Hi Laura pharm, To answer your questions : Yes, I am done with Toefl ibt and NO, I did not meet Fpgec requirement at my first sitting. I just want you to realise that you are not the only one having problems with toefl. My first experience was quite understandable because I met the 26 speaking cut off but had 23 in the writing section. I said understandable because, prior to that time, I was very slow typing on the computer. This prompted me to buy a book to study for toefl ibt(initially I thought I did not need a book to pass toefl the Fpgec way). Then I started learning how to type on the computer desperately with particular emphasis on speed. When I became bold enough I offered to register again for toefl ibt but unfortunately there were no available seats in my area of residence. Well, I drove about two hours to the city that had available seats. On the test day I worked on my confidence and gave maximum concentration to each section of the exam. At the end of the test I was satisfied with my performance. Alas!! the result came out and I had 29 in reading,25 in listening, 23 in speaking, and 28 in writtng. You can imagine how discouraged I was . For the rest of that day I was glooming but on the next day I ordered for a rescore of my speaking section and I also registered to retake the toefl test. I prayed to God for a positive outcome of my rescore because I was so confident that I did well in that test. Well the day to retake the test came before I got my rescore result and had to drive about three hours to write a simple toefl test. Would you believe that my test was completely messed up due to some technical hitch faced by the center? I went back home totally devastated. Two weeks after this incident I got my rescore result with a 28 score in the speaking. That marked the end of my agony with toefl. Right now I have my Fpgec certificate(got it last year december), my intern certificate, I am registered to take the Naplex in less than a month and I don't need visa sponsorship BUT I still cannot find a chain to hire me as an intern without conditions and contracts. With all this going on, I have resolved to direct all my energy and intellect towards my Naplex because on the long run, passing this landmark test will ultimately give me a voice that will be heard. I am writing you all this so that you can realise that challenges are bound at every stage and we are here to surmont the challenges. I come from a country where Britsh kind of english is our lingua franca and I have spoken english from childwood. All my education was in english and the irony of the whole thing is that the Americans always compliment me when they here me speak saying "we love the way you speak english with your Britsh accent". Mind you I am an African. Be encouraged sis, and continue to give it your best shot. You shall overcome.

03-03-2008, 01:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
Laura.pharm Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 25	Hi Pharmalady, That was a nightmare story! I think you have very strong personality. Also, I think that I would be hysterically crying for a week or so after same event. After your story I really think that I'm not alone. I have a question. Foreign pharmacist has requirement to collect 1000-1500hrs ( depending on state) of working experience as an intern. You mentioned that you can't find a drug store chain to hire you. So, I am wondering how did you collect these hours to be able to sit for a NAPLEX?

03-03-2008, 09:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
pharmalady Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 27	Hi Laura pharm, In the state of texas, it is mandatory that you sit and pass your naplex and mpje within three months of obtaining your fpgec certificate otherwise you would not be able to proceed with your internship. It is more appropriate to say Naplex and Mpje before internship.

03-03-2008, 11:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
sagardip Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 13	Hi Laura, I am in Texas Houston ,I passed fpgee in june 2007. Now I am trying to pass toefl ibt. I am canadian citizen. I have td visa because my husband has tn visa. I want to work as pharm tech. can I do that? if yes then how can I do that? please let me know.

03-07-2008, 03:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
Henripharm Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1	Hi Laura. Can I ask you where are you from??? If you are from Brazil, please, let me know. Best regards.

03-07-2008, 10:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
pharmalady Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 27	Hello zyvox, Yes , you can order for a rescore of just one section of the toefl ibt test. Actually only the speaking and the writing sections can be rescored. Give it a shot and I wish you all the best in your future endeavours.

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