I was recently asked by a friend of mine if I believe people should pay for veterinary experience? I think a more pressing question - with the growing cost of education - especially a veterinary education, will or should pre-veterinary students consider it as an option? I know many people that read this blog are wanting to become veterinarians. I know many of you would also be excited to get hands on experience. How far are you willing to travel and how much are you willing to pay? Is volunteering abroad even a necessity if you are applying to veterinary school?
It has recently become popular to volunteer and get pre-veterinary experience in foreign countries through volunteering, education, and adventure travel, but at what cost? Many of these trips, come with high costs - airfare, medical supplies, lodging, food, etc. But it does give the student a volunteer opportunity specific to veterinary medicine which in return gives them the privilege to see other parts of our world and experience new cultures.
Most pre-vets get their experience working at local veterinary practices while they are getting an education and trying to maintain a decent GPA. This is the way I did it - Although I had not heard about these volunteer abroad experiences, I still think they would have been out of my budget.
I think it is important to thoroughly research any program you are interested in and make sure you can talk to someone who has experience with the program. Many opportunities you find online if you just google "volunteer abroad prevet" provide "animal experiences" rather than "veterinary experience". While it is good to help animals in need - husbandry and basic care are appreciated, I don't think that will help you at all with your veterinary application. Admission commites want to see your experience with veterinary medicine. They know you are capable of feeding and watering animals.
In my personal experience, before veterinary school, I traveled to South America and backpacked for almost a month with my boyfriend at the time. Although we did not volunteer - we allowed ourselves to be immersed in the culture, practiced our Spanish and experienced a way of living very different from the US. I had also previously traveled to parts of Mexico - although mostly touristy locations - I did open my eyes to the area surrounding our hotel. I did mention some of my travel experience in my veterinary personal statement - although it had nothing to do with animals - my experience opened my eyes and allowed me to gain cultural awareness - see my personal statements.
In veterinary school - I have had the opportunity to work with RVETS in providing veterinary care to animals in need in the US - programs like these (RAVS) are excellent ways to get veterinary experience, but save money by staying local. In June I will be headed to Guatemala on a RAVS trip which will count towards my clinical veterinary education.
In summary - I feel paying for veterinary experience abroad is NOT necessary - but is an amazing opportunity. If you can afford it and you know what you're getting into, then by all means go ahead and experience it! But if you are wondering if it will hurt you not to get this experience - you don't need to worry. Work on strengthening your impact in just your local community - find out what volunteer opportunities are available.
VIDA - Veterinary Field Clinics
Humanity World International
Excellent resources for those interested in more specifically about what types of Pre-veterinary experience to pursue:
Washington State Recommendations for Pre-Veterinary experience
It has recently become popular to volunteer and get pre-veterinary experience in foreign countries through volunteering, education, and adventure travel, but at what cost? Many of these trips, come with high costs - airfare, medical supplies, lodging, food, etc. But it does give the student a volunteer opportunity specific to veterinary medicine which in return gives them the privilege to see other parts of our world and experience new cultures.
Most pre-vets get their experience working at local veterinary practices while they are getting an education and trying to maintain a decent GPA. This is the way I did it - Although I had not heard about these volunteer abroad experiences, I still think they would have been out of my budget.
I think it is important to thoroughly research any program you are interested in and make sure you can talk to someone who has experience with the program. Many opportunities you find online if you just google "volunteer abroad prevet" provide "animal experiences" rather than "veterinary experience". While it is good to help animals in need - husbandry and basic care are appreciated, I don't think that will help you at all with your veterinary application. Admission commites want to see your experience with veterinary medicine. They know you are capable of feeding and watering animals.
In my personal experience, before veterinary school, I traveled to South America and backpacked for almost a month with my boyfriend at the time. Although we did not volunteer - we allowed ourselves to be immersed in the culture, practiced our Spanish and experienced a way of living very different from the US. I had also previously traveled to parts of Mexico - although mostly touristy locations - I did open my eyes to the area surrounding our hotel. I did mention some of my travel experience in my veterinary personal statement - although it had nothing to do with animals - my experience opened my eyes and allowed me to gain cultural awareness - see my personal statements.
In veterinary school - I have had the opportunity to work with RVETS in providing veterinary care to animals in need in the US - programs like these (RAVS) are excellent ways to get veterinary experience, but save money by staying local. In June I will be headed to Guatemala on a RAVS trip which will count towards my clinical veterinary education.
In summary - I feel paying for veterinary experience abroad is NOT necessary - but is an amazing opportunity. If you can afford it and you know what you're getting into, then by all means go ahead and experience it! But if you are wondering if it will hurt you not to get this experience - you don't need to worry. Work on strengthening your impact in just your local community - find out what volunteer opportunities are available.
VIDA - Veterinary Field Clinics
Humanity World International
Excellent resources for those interested in more specifically about what types of Pre-veterinary experience to pursue:
Washington State Recommendations for Pre-Veterinary experience
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| Me on the steep city street of Cusco, Peru |
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| A pretty pair on the street of Quito, Ecuador |
