What inspired you to go abroad?
I’ve always wanted to go to Africa, or specifically South Africa, to experience and work with its wildlife since I was a little girl. I’ve wanted to experience how people all over the world do things, but I’ve always been drawn to South Africa because of what its wildlife and animals have to offer.
Why did you choose Phezulu Pre-Vet?
I chose Phezulu pre-vet due to the program giving the opportunity to work with livestock and some wildlife. I got to experience a lot in such a short period of time.
I also chose this course because I’m a Vet nurse and felt I would learn a lot to further my education.
Me with a cow that I had given a liver fluke and vitamin Injections to.
What was your favorite part about your host country/city?
My favorite part would definitely have been meeting all the fellow farmers and locals. They were so lovely, and it was so nice of them to welcome us onto their farms, let us help them, and teach us their ways.
It was nice to see how everyone does things differently with their animals, yet all still get the same outcome, e.g., worming livestock or giving injections.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
My experience was made extraordinary because Cupie and Trevor went above and beyond to ensure every student got the most out of the experience.
They treated us like family, were so warm and welcoming, and made sure each student could tick off a goal they wanted to achieve while in the program. They worked really hard and made sure everyone had the best time that they could have.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
Local staff supported us during the program by being helpful, kind, and supportive. Everyone worked hard to give us students an experience or teach us something that we didn’t know or hadn’t done before.
Some farmers even invited us back to help them with different tasks, so we could learn more from them.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
If there was one thing I wish I had done differently while abroad, it would have been to stay longer in South Africa. That way, I could experience more or even do some more traveling to different areas and see more of what the country is about.
It was a big trip from Australia; I wish I had stayed longer. I loved being there and didn’t want to come home.
Me holding a Sable cow that was chemically immobilised and being treated for a Hydatid tapeworm cyst, with the wildlife vet Dr Gary.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
A typical day abroad looked like this: Being woken up in the Phezulu household by Cupie loudly saying “Good morning, South Africa” to wake up students, although most of the time I was already awake because I set alarms. We were then given a wide variety of options for breakfast if we were eating at home. Or if we had to eat on the road, Cupie had made breakfast for us to eat while we were getting to our first destination.
We would then go to a destination. We would sometimes be at that place for the majority of the day, or we would go to multiple places. No matter where we went, we were learning a new task and getting hands-on experience.
We would then come home once our working day was done, sometimes still learning or doing more. Otherwise, we were given free time. Some of us would relax and unwind in our rooms, make contact with family, or socialize amongst ourselves.
We would then eat dinner that Cupie or Trevor had cooked for us, socialize in the living room, and talk about our day or compare how we do things differently amongst us students in different places around the world.
Bedtime was normally not too late, as the majority of the time, we were up early the next morning to tackle a new day.
What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?
In my free time, I enjoyed unwinding and having some “me time” in my room or sending updates to my family about what I had done that day. I also enjoyed sitting in the living room with the fire going, with Trevor, Cupie, and their dogs. We would talk about all sorts of things, and I enjoyed hearing stories that they would tell me.
I also loved having a huge common interest with Cupie: horses! Some afternoons, if there was enough time, Cupie would let me take a horse out for a trail ride by myself, taking the dogs with me. This was one of my favourite things to do—it was just absolutely amazing! And I know that if Cupie didn’t think I was capable or trustworthy, she wouldn’t have allowed this. So I felt super special to be given the opportunity to do so.
A Zebra filly that was chemically immobilised and being relocated to a new area, with the wildlife vet Dr Gary.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
The accommodation was on a family farm in an old stone farmhouse. I’ve never stayed on so much land with such a unique and rustic house. There was a lovely fireplace in the living room, and this was one of my favourite things because it was quite a chilly time of year when I went, so I loved sitting in front of the fire at night. I also loved having the lights on the pull cord. That’s something I’ve never experienced or seen back home.
The house had such a homely feel to it, and it was made to be my home while I was there. The first night there, I was a little unsure and unsettled; it was my first time solo travelling, especially to somewhere so far away from home, but the place definitely grew on me, and I was sad to leave at the end of my trip.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Every future participant should know that you’re being welcomed into a family home with open arms.
Trevor and Cupie will do everything they can to help accommodate you and make you feel welcome and comfortable. You should know that you will leave the program with new friends, lifelong memories, and amazing experiences.
Me cuddling a baby lamb that I had wormed, vaccinated and given parasite control to.
Would you recommend Phezulu Pre-Veterinary Program to others? Why?
Yes, I would recommend this program to others. I was made to feel at home, I was cooked homemade meals, I was treated like a family member, and there was nothing more comforting than this, especially when in a foreign place.
I participated in activities and experiences that I would never have even been given the opportunity to do back home. It was incredible. I learnt so many new things and gained so much hands-on experience. All of which I was able to take back home with me and can now teach others with.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
I think the biggest benefit of travelling abroad is the experience. You experience how a place functions and works, their society, their lifestyles, their people, and their culture. All of which are different from what you know and live with on a day-to-day basis at home.
It’s such an eye-opener, and I appreciate what I have and how I live more because of it.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
My time abroad has given me the travel bug. I loved my time in South Africa, and I couldn’t get back there quickly enough. I will be working hard to save and get back there for another holiday, more amazing experiences, and to learn new things.
I came home from my travel abroad with new insights into things, an appreciation for what I have, and more knowledgeable than when I left to go abroad.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel to me means that you are traveling and you’re doing something that is going to have a positive impact on your life. You do things for yourself and others that leave a positive impression.
You come away from your travel with meaningful knowledge and experiences. You’ve done something that means something to you. You’ve made an impact on your own and others' lives in a meaningful way.
