Travel, Research, Good Friends, and Good Times!

By: Jane Na

Michigan State University, Class of 2012

(Editor's note: applications for 2012 are due at the beginning of Februrary, so keep an eye out next year!)

The Fundamentals of Veterinary Science Summer School at the University of Cambridge made my last free summer of veterinary school absolutely unforgettable.  The program was amazing!  It was a chance of a life-time to be able to carry out research at a world reknowned institution in England!  It was also a chance to meet other veterinary students from around the world and learn about different countries, cultures, customs, and talk about our lab work but also travel and have fun.

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Challenges from the International Arena: Running a Clinic in Nicaragua

By: Laura Niman

Oregon State University, Class of 2014

Four years ago the Oregon State University’s IVSA chapter was invited by community leaders to the Nicaraguan community of Merida to develop an annual veterinary service trip. Merida is located on the island of Ometepe, which is home to an estimated 10,000 families and countless dogs, cats, pigs, cows, horses and chickens.  As the people of Ometepe rely on their animals for food, transportation, and work, the suboptimal condition of these animals directly impacts the people and their livelihood.  Companion animals also suffer from malnourishment and diseases, many of which are transmissible to their human families.  From a single veterinarian and 8 students who participated in the first clinic in 2007, the project has grown substantially to include 8 veterinarians, 24 veterinary students, and 2 pre-veterinary students in 2010.

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India Travels

By: Carrie Wang

Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2012

Here are some photos from Carrie's trip with classmates to India for a 6 week Infectious Disease Externship. What better way to subsidize your travel than by making it a study experience?

The Wide Open Range

By: Elizabeth Homerosky

The Ohio State University, Class of 2012

Here are some shots from Elizabeth's trip out to Montana and Wyoming working on some cattle ranches. 

Alaskan Wilderness

By: Emily  Mehlman

Colorado State University, Class of 2013

For my last official summer, I wanted to gain vet experience while also seeking adventure and travel.  Alaska was the perfect place, having a paid externship opportunity in small animal emergency and miles of wilderness to explore. 

Anchorage was our base-camp of sorts and where we spent 4 weeks working at P.E.T. Emergency while hiking/running/biking around the area.  Even close to Anchorage there was much more exploration than one could do in a single month.  Every day I either ran in nearby Kincaid Park, biked to the Aleyeska (the local ski area), or found a good day hike around nearby glacier lakes.  Without having the limitations normally dictated by the nightfall, any hour was a fine time to enjoy the limitless outdoors. 

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