What inspired you to go abroad?
It has always been a dream of mine to go to Africa. I had heard about Loop Abroad and decided to look into it. When I saw that this trip was available, I was sold. I am so blessed to have had this amazing opportunity!
The sunsets speak for themselves!
Why did you choose Loop Abroad?
I have known since the third grade that my heart is in Veterinary Medicine. I am always looking for ways to gain more veterinary experience and ways that will help me stand out when I apply to vet school. Loop did both of these things! Not to mention, it helped open my eyes to a new culture, and I had the pleasure of spending two weeks in this beautiful country!
What was your favorite part of South Africa?
It is absolutely breathtaking! We stayed at Feracare Wildlife Center, which is an amazing experience on its own. You will never get tired of walking around and seeing beautiful cheetahs enjoying life. Africa has my heart.
What made your experience abroad unique?
This was just such a unique experience because I never imagined being able travel to such an amazing country at this age. The fact that this trip caters to those interested in Veterinary Medicine and conservation is amazing. I spent two weeks volunteering with a cause that I am passion about, which also expanded my knowledge on big cat management and conservation.
I had to get a selfie with our amazing safari driver at Kruger National Park!
How did local staff support you through the program?
The local staff was absolutely amazing. I felt comfortable from the moment I arrived, and I did not want to leave such caring people. I respect the staff at Feracare so much. You can tell that they are genuine and truly want to make a difference. They were always willing to explain something that I would appreciate more clarity on. I learned so much in the short time I was there! I have nothing but respect and love for them.
What is one thing you wish you had done differently?
I do not have a complaint about this program. I would love to be back right now! If I had to pick, I wish I would have started planning financially earlier.
Describe a typical day in the life of your program.
In a typical day, we would start off eating breakfast as a group. We would split up into our groups that was lead by a certain veterinarian. Depending on the day, we would assist in feeding, clean the camps, or learn veterinary skills, such as suturing with the vets.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time, my favorite thing to do was work out with a couple of people in the group or just hang out with each other. We often did this before or after dinner. I met so many people that I still am in contact with today. We genuinely enjoyed each other's company.
This is my amazing group and our veterinarian. We made an enrichment project for a lioness on the property!
What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?
The group was divided into two houses. The houses were actually nicer than what I was expecting. I personally slept on a bunk bed, which really was not bad. I liked how many people were in the house, yet we still had enough space for ourselves.
What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?
People should be mindful that we do not get as much hands on experience with the cheetahs as we all would wish. We all do get to help feed cheetahs and go into the enclosure with them. We also met the ambassador. We do not personally do vet work on the cheetahs. We did get to shadow the vet pull DNA samples which was absolutely amazing!
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
This was absolutely a life changing experience! It helped me gain veterinary skills and knowledge. I also gained so many new friends that I know that I will be able to call colleagues one day. Experiencing a new culture was also eye-opening, and I can now appreciate those who do not do everything like I am used to. This program was a complete blessing to me, and I hope one day I can travel with Loop as a veterinarian!
Would you recommend Loop Abroad to others? Why?
Absolutely! This is a great program to help you gain veterinary experience. It will also help you stand out among other veterinary applicants. I met so many new people, including the veterinarians. They were always there to answer questions and really wanted to contribute to my education. I learned so much in the short time I was there, and I think this was a great building block for my future.
