Large Animal Veterinary Practice in the Tropics

This was an amazing experience that broadened my horizons towards things I could never have imagined. I learned so much about Belize and its many amazing cultures. I am thankful for this opportunity to learn and do things I could have never done in the US. What a life changing two weeks in Belize! Thank you so much for showing me what I didn't even know I was missing.

I loved the idea of being able to travel to a foreign contry to study my passion. It provides you with a unique opportunity to gain an appreciation of the experiences you receive and gives you a new perspective on how people of different cultures and ways of life live, while all sharing the same passion and morals.

This program helped me to feel more confident in my skills and knowledge of veterinary medicine. It really made me feel like I belong in this field and could make a difference. I can't wait to come back to make more of a difference. Go on this trip if you have the opportunity to. It's amazing.

The program was such a great learning experience for me. I made amazing friendships and got to have hands-on opportunities that I've never had before and that will last a lifetime. I would highly recommend this trip to anybody who wants to learn about other cultures! Thank you, Loop Abroad!

The program was amazing. It had the perfect balance of hands on experience and fun. It gave me insight on the veterinary practice in the country of Belize compared to the US. This program helped me gain experience I've never had before and solidified what I want to do in my career.

The wonderful people and interesting culture I got to personally experience on the trip was definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity. The staff and teachers made me feels safe and welcome. I learned so much and wish I could do even more. I would recommend to anyone!

This trip not only gave me first-hand experience I'd never had, but it also gave me friendships with many different people from multiple backgrounds. It also gave me confidence to try new things involving vet med because the only way to get better is to practice.

I really enjoyed this program - I got experiences that I normally wouldn't get back home! I plan to try and visit again, whether it's as a TA or as a tourist to see the country and people that I met here. I couldn't have asked for a better experience!

At first I was nervous to come since I have never been around large animals. However, Loop Abroad and the high school faculty made me feel comfortable. Now I get to go back home with great memories and a bigger knowledge about livestock animals.

This program is the most hands on experience I have been able to find. The staff ensures that everyone gets a chance to learn each topic. I came out of this wiser and much more knowledgeable because of the variety in our experiences.

This experience is one of the most hands on things I have ever done. From day one you are suturing actual animals and learning incredible things. You also make amazing friends with people who have the same interests as you.

I cannot recommend this program enough. As someone who has done many Loop Abroad trips, this is the best for hands on learning and cultural experience. I feel more prepared for vet school thanks to the doctor and his team.

The staff in Belize make you feel at home. Everything is hands on and you learn by doing. I have never been so grateful for an experience before. It's worth everything and you definitely shouldn't miss it for anything!

I loved all the activities that we did. Practicing my suturing skills was a good experience and I learned a lot of other things such as vaccinating livestock and doing physical exams and body condition scores.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Loop Abroad program. It submerges you in the culture of Belize, encourages you to dive head first into everything the program has to offer. #onascaleofonetoten:brokemyscale

This program opens up opportunities dive deeper into animal health. The cultural experience mixed with the veterinary experience is in all amazing impact. To anyone hoping or even thinking of doing this program, be open-minded and go for it!

I loved this program. Not only did it widen my professional knowledge, but also expanded my cultural awareness. This trip has been far and away one of the experience I enjoyed the most and am most proud of.

This trip without a doubt opened my eyes to my future career as a vet. It also showed me that there are cultural differences in medicine and animal care. This is the best class I've taken while in college.

The large animal program was amazing, I was able to connect with the doctor and learn a lot more issues concerning animals in this country. I recommend this program to vet students. Amazing hands on experience.

This out of this world trip inspired me in so many ways. From the staff and local people to the opportunities to the cultural immersion. I feel so motivated and better prepared for my future than ever before.

The CELA program helped me broaden my experience of veterinary medicine. I met so many people just like me and learned a lot more than I could've imagined. Special thank you to all of the TAs and doctors.

On this program, I met people and underwent experiences that truly lit up my life. Never did I think I would feel this way about this experience, quite to this extent. I feel like what we've done here has made a small difference in this world, and that's all I want to be a part of. That's all we want to be a part of. Just a little piece of the world changed for the better as we learn and grow to truly flourish as veterinarians.

CELA Belize was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I will be forever thankful for. I learned more in those two weeks than I ever could have imagined. It truly exceeded my expectations and I feel so prepared for vet school and my future career.

These were without a doubt the most amazing weeks of my life! I'm so thankful for the hands on experience with so many species. I have made lifelong friends. I learned so much more than I ever expected.

This trip changed my view on how vet medicine can be applied. It also showed me and taught me about how people in other countries take care of their animals. I really enjoyed the Placencia clinic as well as pig castrations because of the hands-on aspect and truly getting to experience how other countries work with animals.

This is the best experience I have ever had in my career. I enjoyed how hands-on it was and how they treated us like adults. All of the staff is so kind and knowledgeable. I am sad it is over! Dr Tesecum was like a big grother to all of us mentoring us and making our trip fun.

This trip was one of the best times of my life. I had a lot of fun, learned a lot, and made amazing friends and memories. I will look back on these couple weeks down the line and be proud of myself and really happy I went on this trip. My favorite was working with the horses and pigs. Ruther, Dr Tesecum, and Nandita all did their best and made out rip as special as could be!

I had the most amazing time on this program and learned so much. Our leaders were amazing, accommodating, and sweet. I learned so much from them! The pig farm was particularly awesome because we got to castrate them.

My favorite activity was the horse farm! I felt like we got to experience a lot of vaccinations and physicals. Additionally, we got to see one of Joe's dogs get sutured! All of the staff were helpful in making our experiences special by packing everyday with so many activities and laughs.

I loved this program and learned so much. The resort was nice, the people were amazing and cared so deeply for us, I wouldn't make any changes at all! I loved working with the vets and going to the farms and working with the animal and learning the medicine behind treating them.

This program was better than I expected! Thanks for making this possible. Dr Tesecum, Ruben, and Nandita all made my experience the best it could be by sharing their knowledge and taking care of us. My favorite was the horse farm and the spay/neuter clinic. I felt like I was really applying what we learned in lecture and lab.

The leaders of this program are legitimately so incredible. They made everything so fun, safe, and educational. My favorite was attending the community health clinic in Arenal. This was a great chance for us to practice the skills we developed over the past week and connect with the people whose country we were visiting.

So many great experiences on this program - the suture lab, the spay/neuter clinic, the vaccinations, and the castrations! All our staff helped us so much and the accomodation was so lovely. The only thing I'd change is to bring a small personal fan because it was pretty hot!

I had such a great time. Our teachers were so great and very welcoming! My favorite parts were the cow palpating, the days at the clinic, and especially the horseback ride. 10/10 on everything - I wouldn't change anything

After being pushed back a summer due to COVID I can 100% tell you it was worth the wait. From day one we were getting our hands dirty being real veterinarians. Each day we were taught something new and used those skills in the field. Everyday we were immersed in the Belizean culture. This program will change not only how you view veterinary medicine but also provide you with a broader view on life. If you are thinking that veterinary medicine might be your future path this trip will confirm those beliefs. I would 10/10 recommend this program to any student or anyone who wants to learn more about veterinary practices in a new country. The CELA staff are very helpful and friendly throughout the entire process.

I was in Belize for one month during the Summer of 2018 which was in between my junior and senior year of college. I completed the wildlife course first (which was awesome as well) and then continued to the large animal one. I have never traveled outside the US so I was bit nervous, but the program directors and staff (Lauren Margesson and Cynthia Reece) were very helpful and eliminated all my worries. I never once felt uncomfortable or like I was in danger, but I also stayed cautious and was smart about how I carried money and other valuables. I absolutely loved my time in Belize and I still talk about it every chance I get. Each day was packed with amazing hands-on veterinary experiences that I could not get in the small town I am from in Pennsylvania. We usually had the weekends free to explore the country and participate in recreational activities such as chocolate making, island visits, or even just lounging by the pool (by the way the little resort you stay at is BEAUTIFUL). During the Summer of 2018 I was also applying for veterinary school. I hoped that studying abroad would make me stand out to interviewers and it truly did. They loved asking me about the experience and it was easy for me to talk about because I was so passionate about what I learned in Belize. Even if you are not applying for vet school, this program is very valuable in the sense that you immerse yourself in a new culture and you get to explore a new country. I am in vet school now at Ohio State, just finished my first semester actually, and my experiences in Belize helped me get a head start in a lot of the things we did this semester such as equine and bovine physical exams and suturing techniques. Dr. Tesecum and his brother Ruben were great teachers in that they would show you something and then guide you through the process yourself. I sutured up spay incisions on dogs, castrated goats and piglets, administered vaccines on a variety of species (cows, horses, sheep, goat, pigs, cats and dogs), performed rectal exams on cows to check for pregnancy, and drew blood from horses to test for viruses. These were all things I never did before and probably wouldn’t have done until vet school. The course says large animal, but I did get a lot of exposure to cats and dogs especially when we set up a free local spay and neuter clinic. I can’t remember the exact numbers, but that day we saw over one hundred animals for physical exams and vaccines and I believe around 70 animals were neutered. The people of that village were extremely grateful and I felt like I was making a difference. Some of my tuition money went towards the vaccines and services provided which I thought made it worth the cost. I was fortunate in that I had my expenses covered for by scholarships. The one scholarship was through the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) and it cut my tuition in half, so I’d recommend becoming a member if you aren’t already. Usually a college’s pre-vet club includes this membership in their dues so it’s low cost. The other scholarship was the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship which covered the rest of my expenses including my flight. Both of these scholarships had specific criteria I needed to meet and they required a good amount of work in regards to essays and letters of recommendation, but my hard work paid off. I was able to study abroad and not have to worry about money, which is what every college student wants right? I could talk about this experience for hours and show tons of pictures, but you won’t get the full effect until you go to Belize yourself and take advantage of this opportunity. I guarantee you won’t regret it. I can’t wait to go back one day and now I have a desire to explore more of the world and learn about other species of animals.

I loved the entire program. We were completely hands on beginning on the FIRST day. Everyday we did something new. I would recommend to anyone interested in this program. The living conditions were excellent and we were located right on the edge of town. Perfect distance for walking. The instructors for the course were super friendly and willing to help always. They were very patient and explained everything.

Going into my study abroad experience, I knew it would be an amazing opportunity for me to gain hands-on veterinary experience, but I never could have expected the range and depth of opportunity I was provided. The beauty of Belize added to my educational experience, making it feel like I was on vacation while enrolled in a course. I made lifelong friends and memories that I can genuinely say I will never forget and I recommend this program to anyone and everyone that can attend.

I had never traveled out of the country before my CELA Belize course, and I was incredibly nervous. The team at CELA made sure I was comfortable and had all the knowledge I needed to travel to another country by myself! The course was SO much fun, I learned so much and got hands-on experience that simply isn't available in the US. If I could do this program again I would in a heart beat! The people, experiences and living conditions were amazing.

I never would have guessed going into college that my first summer would be spent going abroad by myself and for the first time, but the CELA program went above and beyond to ensure that this program was everything I could have hoped for. Any and all questions I had prior to the program were answered promptly and kindly, and this pattern just continued when we arrived. From the administration like Cynthia to the Tesecum family literally welcoming us with open arms into their own business to teach us the practice of veterinary medicine in Belize this was an amazing experience that will continue to be one of my defining steps toward veterinary medicine.

Having applied to go to Belize for my first study abroad trip was probably one of the best decisions of my life. Being immersed in so much culture and getting the hands-on experience, that I wouldn’t have been able to get at this point in my life, is so much appreciated. I would like to thank all of the teachers I had during this trip and would like to say I would do it all over again if I could. The things I learned during my trip will be remembered and applied when I go to vet school next year. What an amazing summer experience I still can’t stop talking about!

I went to Belize with CELA this past summer. Having never really traveled much alone I was pretty nervous, but CELA took awesome care of us. As soon as travel information was in, they told us if there were other people on our flights from our group and how to contact them; so we got to travel together and go through customs (by far the scariest moments of the trip) together. Our accommodations are beautiful- we were put up in essentially one of the nicest resorts in town. Our instructors were INCREDIBLE. Dr. T, Dr. Stephanie and Reuben were all passionate about what they taught and would take us to dinner most nights to sit with us and get to know us. Our class time was hands on, and our non-class time they took it upon themselves to show us all the local culture and local spots. From swimming in waterfalls to horseback riding in the jungle to cave canoeing, to snorkeling on the second largest reef in the world, they really made sure we got to see all Belize has to offer. They made sure we never felt unsafe and are like war heroes. I got paid with an awesome roommate and her and I, along with 2 other girls became friends fast and nearly inseparable.

I had a great time in Belize working with both large and small animals in this course. You are paired with one other individual for sleeping arrangements, you share a hotel room. It was nice, clean linens always, and always great food. The activities with the group were amazing: spay and neuter clinics and going to perform vet work at goat, pig, horse, and cattle ranches. The extra curricular activities on the weekends were amazing!! We snorkeled, went into lost Mayan caves, zip-lined, went diving at water falls, and had plenty of time for night life in the surrounding city. This experience, by far, helped me get into vet school. In my interviews, I was able to talk about the diversity that I experienced and had now gained from the experience, as well as the skills, both medically and culturally that I now had.

I loved the course it helped me to acquire a clear image of the veterinary field work. Learned some tricks and the different ways to do the same procedure. Gain practical knowledge such as vaccination.

This was a really good time and really wonderful opportunity for me. I gained a lot of knowledge, friends and experience with this course. I was very pleased with how comfortable I felt and how loving everyone that taught us was.

Transitioning from a rugged, rustic living in La Democracia to San Ignacio was quite the next step. I'd even dare to call it a living space upgrade for those who crave luxury. The culture was rich, the morning birds songs played in different tunes, and of course the course material was vastly different. Getting to practice veterinary medicine in different settings on a daily basis was intense and exciting. I wouldn't have imagined the course always had something new to wrap our minds on. Our TAs and instructors were a pleasure to learn and mentor from, as they taught with enthusiasm and good-will. It was these experiences that'll leave me with my memories under the Belize sun.

It was absolutely amazing!! I learned so very much! I am so incredibly grateful for this opportunity to immerse myself in such a culturally rich environment and learn how veterinary medicine is practiced and incorporated in the daily lives of the citizens of Belize.

CELA Belize was the first experience I had with veterinary medicine and it was a blast! While I learned a lot in lecture, Dr. T really emphasized hands- on experience. We were able to administer vaccines, castrate a pig, do physical exams on horses, assist in spay/neuter surgeries, suturing dogs and cats, and much more! This course really challenged me to adapt to the situation and gain some confidence in the things they taught us very quickly! The group of students I had were amazing and we made memories that I will hold close to my heart and never forget!

Honestly, I can't say enough about how exciting, interactive, and courteous the course and all instructors were for the duration of the program. They were really encouraging in all class and field activities and were patient and understanding as we were learning proper veterinary techniques, namely suturing and vaccine injections. They also ensured that after all important academic work was completed, we had our fair share of exciting excursions, notably cave canoeing, beach going, and Mayan ruin exploration. I have gained more experience with veterinary practices within two weeks in Belize than I ever would have shadowing veterinarians and vet techs in the States for years. I highly recommend this course for anyone interested in pursuing large animal medicine or for those who are still unsure of what they want to specialize in and are still testing the different fields. I also want to thank everyone at Paw's Clinic once again for all their support and for making my experience so memorable!!

This was a great course, and I enjoyed all aspects of the hands on activities and sessions. Reuben, Dr. T, and Dr. Novelo we're all very helpful and made sure that everyone in the group felt involved. I have gained a greater respect and understanding of working with large animals as well.

I really had so much fun with this program. You get A LOT of hands on experience. You also get to experience the Belizean culture. I recommend trying to fit as many activities in each day as you can! You can sleep when you get back home, this is a once in a life time opportunity. I just wish we had more preparation for the clinic day.

This course was amazing! I learned so much valuable information inside and outside of the classroom that I will take with me all the way to vet school. The faculty and TA genuinely cared that we learned what was being taught and could master it on our own. We got so much hands on experience with large and small animals that boosted my confidence for the future of hopefully vet school! Besides the course, Belize is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever seen with the kindest people. I hope to one day go back; I wish this course was even longer! I highly recommend studying with CELA!

Everything about the course was better than I imagined. I loved all of the hands on activities, especially on the first day. All of the people involved in the study abroad course were amazing and eager to help.

Dr. T is the best there is and you will never get a hands-on experience like this anywhere else! The things I learned in two weeks surpass entire year course learnings. Looking forward to coming back to Belize already!

This course gives amazing hands-on learning experiences! It was amazing all of the way around, and you get to experience Belize, which is so friendly! The local spots that are available to visit are beyond pretty!

The Large Animal Study Abroad course was an incredible experience. I was given the opportunity to do so much hands on experience that is never allowed as an undergraduate in the United States. The teachers were incredible and genuinely cared that we learned not only about the veterinary aspect, but also the cultural side of Belize.

This course allowed me to get hands-on experience that I would otherwise, as an undergrad, never have an opportunity to receive. Not only were we able to help vaccinate, deworm, give physical exams, we were also able to assist in spays and neuters. The Vet clinic staff truly made it an experience assisting with meals and helping us experience the true culture in Belize.

I was worried I would just be watching the veterinarians and listening to lectures like my friends had on other study abroad trips. CELA gave me hands-on experience that reaffirmed my desire to go to veterinary school and also allowed me to explore different fields of veterinary medicine. In addition, I was given ample time to see and explore the beautiful country of Belize. Thank you CELA for providing me a trip that will always stay in my heart!

I was hesitant about going on this trip earlier in the year, mostly for the financial aspects and I wasn't sure how much I would get out of the program. I am so glad that I decided to take the plunge and go for it because I had the time of my life while learning things I may have not learned until vet school or even beyond. I also got to meet incredible so many people from across the United States that I will keep in touch with!

I never thought I would fit in the time or have the financials to study abroad but finding C.E.L.A. was a miracle! It was the cheapest of the study abroad programs I was looking into and had the most hands-on experience involving veterinary medicine. I am so grateful for the information learned from my teachers and TA's and the memories created with my class mates. I'm even thinking of returning as a TA! Best experience ever.

I loved everything that we learned in this program! At first, I was nervous about going. When I met everyone involved, I instantly knew I made the right decision. I definitely recommend for anyone who is planning on being a veterinarian. There was a lot of hands on learning experiences on the farms, which made learning fun. The instructors were amazing! This study abroad was probably one of the best things I've ever done.

The CELA program gave me opportunities that I would not be able to experience anywhere else, I learn a lot better with hands on experience so this course increased my knowledge on Large Animal Veterinary practice by a lot. I would definitely recommend this program to any student looking to apply to veterinary school because this class will prepare you for several things you will have to deal with as a vet. It's a great thing to put on your resume and talk about during interviews! The teachers and TA's in this program were extremely helpful and understanding of our needs. I also met some amazing people along this journey and I am so grateful for it.

I was initially nervous about traveling to a new country by myself, but the people and instructors were so welcoming. Thank you to Dr. Paige and Dr. T for teaching me so much in a two week period, I will be forever grateful to the time I spent here!

I was nervous and afraid when I first signed up and I am so glad I went through with this. This trip was one of the most amazing experiences in my life and I will treasure it always in my heart. I felt myself grow as a person, I got to learn many new things, and on top of it all I made some amazing friends thanks to this program.

This program was an incredible opportunity! I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in animal husbandry or planning to attend veterinary school. There was so much hands-on experience and training that would not be available to a student in the US. It was also great to serve the local community and volunteer my time, as some of the locals wouldn't be able to pay for surgery or medication for their pets.

Any student in a pre-veterinary or production animal major should definitely apply for this course! You get loads of hands on experience that is unavailable at home. The course is low-stress, with an emphasis on gaining experience in the field instead of just a classroom. There is a good balance of work and time to explore the country. Definitely would recommend!

I loved every moment of being in Belize. I learned more than I could ever imagine about large animal veterinary medicine and the culture.

Overall this course was amazing and hands down my favorite trip. The experiences are so valuable and the people of Belize are great. I made many new friends and learned a lot about the country itself. I miss it so much already.

This course is a once in a life time opportunity, TAKE IT! The amount of hands on experience you get is amazing, also SUPER nice staff that guide and work with you. The amount of information I learned was substantial!

This was an amazing course! I got a ton of hands-on experience with many different large animals, including injections, physical exams, wrangling, and even surgeries. This course also provides a lot of experience with small animals through the free clinic we participated in (we did a lot of physical exams and participated in quite a few spays/neuters). In the process, we visited several different local farms and had free time to explore nearby sites such as Xunantunich. It was a great experience not only getting to work with so many animals but also getting to learn more about farming practices in Belize. Would highly recommend to any student who likes working with animals/is considering a career in veterinary medicine (this course is a good way to decide if you would like to go into large animal medicine).

My study abroad experience was very enriching. I was able to get more large animal experience and learn by doing. The amount of hands-on experience this course offers is incredible! It helps you get out of your comfort zone and learn skills that will be needed as a veterinarian. In addition, Belize is a beautiful country with a very diverse culture. It is the perfect place to gain new perspectives and become more open minded.

Before leaving for the program, I was a little skepticle. This was my first time traveling alone out of the country and I wasn't really sure what to expect. The first day I got there I was already having a great time. I loved my group, the resort was beautiful and I was excited to strart the course. The lecture material and field activities were so interesting. I liked the field activities more than the lecture because we could actually get engaged and learn how to handle animals. Everything about the course was interesting, and I feel more prepared for vet school than ever. I wish I could do the program twice!

This CELA study abroad trip really helped me to break out of my comfort zone! I would go back in a heart beat, as Belize now feels like a second home. I would not have received near as much hands on in the US.

I've never really left the United States, so hearing about this program was a really exciting prospect. Though both my family and I had our worries and reservations about it, I'm very glad I went through with it. Even on just the first day, the large animal course is super hands on; I helped spay a dog that afternoon. Dr. T and Ruben are very down to earth and eager to help everyone learn to the best of their abilities. CELA allowed me to meet people from across my own country, and I know I have friends for life now. Overall, I cannot recommend this program enough, and the best way to believe me is to try it for yourself.

I could not have asked for a more transformative and life-changing experience than with participating in CELA's Large Animal in the Tropics course! The types of hands-on experiences this program offers is nothing like you can find in the States and it was wonderful knowing that I could give back to the different communities in Belize at the same time while learning more about animal care. One of the lesser known parts about this program is that almost all of the tuition fees go to pay for all of the veterinary care that you perform as a student while visiting a number of different farms. Every injection, castration, or assisted spay/neuter surgery that you get to do is in actuality a veterinary service that you helped to pay for through your participation. It was pretty cool knowing that I could make a difference so early on in my career even still being three years away from applying to veterinary school. Most of the hands-on experiences you are given through this program you do not get the opportunity to do until possibly your third year of vet school so it provided me with a lot of foresight. This is possibly what made the free spay/neuter clinic that we ran my favorite part as you truly get immersed into what a day in the life of being a veterinarian both looks and feels like while running physical examinations and giving routine dewormer/vitamin injections to cats and dogs and get to connect with the owners at the same time. Never once did I ever feel unsupported or unsafe while working with the animals in Belize no matter how small or large they were (You get the opportunity to work with small animals such as cats/dogs as well as livestock including horses, beef/dairy cattle, goats, sheep, and swine). The staff (Dr. T and his brother the vet tech Ruben) were amazing in answering any questions we had and it literally felt like in my group that I had a second family abroad even though it was only for two weeks. Belize was also a wonderful place to get to be immersed into a new culture as their primary language is English so it made it much easier to learn more about the country. The region is diverse with it taking only 2-3 hours to traverse and depending on where you want to go for the day you could be exploring the jungle, mountains, or one of the world's largest barrier reefs. Often outside of classes, we had time to go on excursions to explore the country a bit more and climbing Mayan ruins and snorkeling were definitely highlights of my experience while studying abroad. What I say is don't doubt yourself in choosing this program because it truly has given me memories and friendships that will last for a lifetime! Go Belize in yourself and choose CELA!

I absolutely loved this program and sit patiently waiting to put my TA application in!!! I can’t wait to be back already. I got very close with all of the other students but more so the staff! Thank you to everyone involved with this entire process and I’ll see you soon!

Studying abroad with CELA was more than I could have ever asked for. I learned so much and the entire course had so much hands on experience! I never thought I would learn as much as I did, nor did I think I would make so many new lifelong friends. My group of 13 got along extremely well and we all plan to keep in touch. I was also able to connect with the people that live in Belize through the free spay and neuter clinic that was held. The vet, Dr. T, and his brother Ruben (the vet tech), were honestly the best. Not only did they teach us so much, but they took us to so many cool places that makes Belize so special.

Not only did I get a lot of hands on experience with large animal medicine, which I've never had before, but I also got to see a lot of Belize. This program is a great mix of learning both veterinary medicine and exploring Belize!

CELA was an amazing experience that provides cultural immersion as well as lots of actual field experience. I learned a lot about veterinary medicine through this program really enjoyed the full 2 weeks that the course ran. I wish I had the time to do the wildlife course and stay in Belize for another 2 weeks.

I was nervous going into this trip because I didn't find CELA through my school, but this has been incredible. Dr. T and Ruben are wonderful, the administrative workers are very helpful, and I made lifelong friends. Two weeks might not seem like a long time, but it will feel like you've been here for months (in a good way). The experiences you'll have on this trip are incomparable - snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea and horseback riding through a Belizean rainforest to name a few. The veterinary work is completely hands-on as well, as they allow students to give injections to animals, perform physical exams, and even suture after surgery. If you have the ability to take this class, do it. It will change your life.

I took the Large Animal Veterinary Practice course from CELA in May 2018. I came into this program with no large animal experience, and I came out of it with lots of veterinary experience feeling comfortable working with large animals. In this class, we went to a lot of farms- sheep, cattle, pig, and horse- we gave vaccines and learned how restrain and give physical exams. The veterinarian, Dr. Tesecum, was a great teacher and so was his tech, Ruben. Everyone got to do several castrations on cattle, pigs, and sheep. We also did a free animal health clinic and free spay/neuter clinic at the Placencia Humane Society in Placencia, Belize, which was an amazing experience. We assisted the veterinarian with the surgeries and we sutured the dogs and cats after the surgery. Through working with the humane society we also got experience with small animals, which I really enjoyed. The housing for this course was also great, Midas Resort in San Ignacio, which was very nice and had a great pool and very good breakfast. Throughout the two weeks I was in Belize we also did lots of excursions, such as Xunantanich Myan Ruins, snorkeling in Placencia, cave canoeing, and zip lining. Overall, this trip gave me valuable hands-on learning with all sorts of animals and was a fun experience! Highly recommended for any pre-vet students wether you have experience with large animals or not!

I had an amazing time while studying large animal veterinary practices in Belize. It was an eye-opener to study animal healthcare in a developing country since their standards are very different from the ones in the United States. I liked that the students had plenty of free time to explore Belize and have a good time. This program included so much more than what I expected. I performed spays and neuters which is something that you cannot do in the States without a DVM. I also vaccinated all different types of livestock animals including pigs and cattle. This was an unforgettable experience.

I absolutely loved this program! Not only did I learn so so much about large animals and animal medicine itself, but I learned so much about medicine itself. I got an enormous amount of hands on experience and made some really great friends. I never felt overwhelmed by the workload, and found most of my learning took place out in the field. I also felt like I was fully immersed into the Belizean culture, and had some amazing experiences outside of the classroom.

When I first got to Belize, the course coordinator, Cynthia, told us all that we would leave Belize as changed people. I knew Belize would definitely give me new insight into the veterinary world, but thinking that I would leave a changed person seemed a bit extreme. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Cynthia was right. This course was one of the most life-changing events in my life, not only because of the amazing curriculum but the culture you are immersed in. Belize is such an incredible place with so many different people, each with their own unique stories. The veterinarians that you work with do their best to ensure that you not only get a wide variety of experience with the various animals of the country but with the people who work with those animals as well. The work you get to do with the animals/farmers gives you the chance to appreciate the way the agriculture business used to be run before big corporations take over. You get to see and participate in real agriculture practices where the farmers actually care about their animals. This is how all agriculture businesses should be and this is the reason why I want to be a vet.

I had such a wonderful time studying abroad in Belize with C.E.L.A. I gained so much valuable hands on experience with large and small animals and learned so much about the veterinary field, particularly in Belize. I met so many wonderful people, from the students to the doctors and their families. This experience has certainly changed how I view the world and my surrounding and has made me more excited than ever to go to veterinary school. The course was a nice balance between learning, field work, fun, and cultural immersion. I would recommend this course, and studying abroad with C.E.L.A., to any student interested in vet med. I would highly recommend going in the winter, if possible, because the weather was perfect and beautiful and I imagine the summer would be unbearably hot.

The hands on experience I received through this experience was second to none. The program is designed to allow the student to jump right in and the knowledge staff assists you every step of the way to provide an exceptional education.

I absolutely loved this program. So much hands on experience and a great way to learn and also explore all of Belize. Loved every second of it. Not only was the course amazing, but the people are unforgettable. I wanna go back haha.

I am forever grateful to have been granted the opportunity to embark in such an incredible program. I was able to live, learn, and make the best memories with phenomenal individuals and have fun!!

Had the time of my life-- I made the most amazing memories and learned so much. Could not have been a better trip. Everyone here is so amazing and made the experience even better. This is truly something I will never forget!

This program taught me more about veterinary medicine than I have learned in any class. Everything is so hands on that you leave learning how to do so many things. I had never given injections, sutured, or castrated an animal before and I left knowing how to do all those things. And you meet so many people who are just as passionate as you are about veterinary medicine. This is literally the most wonderful experience I have ever had. You learn so much and meet so many people, this course made me fall in love with Belize. And if that is not enough, you leave with a huge network of people from Belize and all over the United States that are always willing to help and answer questions. But, just some advice, make sure to ask questions about credit transfer because Cynthia never gave anyone information on forms to fill out and the steps to take. So a few girls took the course and spent the money only to find out they could not get any credits.

By far the best experience of my entire life! I would absolutely recommend this program to anyone in the animal medicine field! So much hands on experience that you could never get anywhere else! Along with experience you meet a ton of amazing people.

Overall this is a wonderful program and the experiences and opportunities I was able to get down here I know I couldn't get back at home. The instructors and TA were amazing and good at teaching us the skills we needed to know.

I loved this course. We had lots of hands on experience and we also got to explore and have fun in this country. We were given opportunities here that we would've never had in the states. I feel very fortunate to have gotten this opportunity.

This course was so much more than I expected! We spent a lot more time out in the field doing hands on work than we did in the classroom which made the experience so much more valuable because learning something and doing it yourself are two very different things. Everyone was friendly and the instructors explained the procedures in a way that made it easy to understand. I learned that the best way to grow as a student and as a person is to get out into the field and experience as much as possible, and I had a great time here in Belize!

I absolutely loved my time in Belize with CELA. The course was incredibly hands-on, the instructor Dr. Tesecum and his assistant Ruben were knowledgeable and awesome as was everyone with PAWS veterinary clinic in San Ignacio. Incredible opportunity to experience the culture, landscapes and people of Cayo, Belize as well as do real veterinary work on large farm animals! I loved every minute of the trip.

Overall, my time in Belize was amazing to say the least. Dr. T and his whole family welcomed us with open arms, and everyone we met along the way was amazing to work with. I would've liked more organization with the pre-departure details.

This was an amazing hands on experience. It beats anything you can do as an undergraduate in the United States. It addition to being a really informative animal experience, CELA encourages it's students to really experience all Belize has to offer, to get to know the people and to build relationships during their session. The technical skills and networks I built while abroad made this trip more amazing than I anticipated.

This course was beyond what I expected it to be. We got so much hands on experience with different animals, sutures, vaccinations, and surgeries. Great for students wishing to see more into the vet world and get experience for school, or to help them decide if they want to be a vet.

Going to Belize was one of the most amazing trips of my life. I 100% recommend this trip! You will experience new and exciting things that really change the way you think about veterinary medicine and about the world in general. I made so many great friends and it was such a blast exploring Belize as the little family that we became.

Every aspect of the trip was incredible except for the administrative aspects. How much money we would really need was not clear; the packing list was not accurate; and I was unable to take this course for credit because I was not made aware of the fact that I would have to pay $150 and send my school transcript to the other university. We should also be able to experience the local culture of San Ignacio and the surrounding area by going on excursions with Ruben and Dr. T after our activities of the day were finished. They understand what is safe and unsafe better than anyone, and there was never a time that I felt unsafe with them around. Ruben and Dr. T are both incredible people, and I will never forget the experience that they allotted me.

I had such an amazing time on this trip! Belize is such a beautiful county and the teachers and staff at CELA are so nice and welcoming! They really make you feel like part of their family! I learned so much on this course there was so much hands on activity that definitely help make me an awesome vet!

I really enjoyed this program! I absolutely loved having Dr. T and Dr Stephanie as the veterinarians we worked under. Ruben, another one of the guys who helped out was also absolutely amazing and bonded really well with our group. I would not have wanted any other people to instruct us. I wish we were allowed to go more places with Ruben as he knew awesome places to go for less money than full on tours since we were already paying so much to be there. He also is really fun to hang out with and really knowledgeable about the area, so he would have been perfect to take us around. Overall, I really enjoyed how hands on the program was! We were able to do hands on things every day, like practicing suturing an animal, that we could not have gotten to do back in the United States. Additionally, we did everything at least twice so that we were able to practice getting better at it. The instructors are also really good about breaking down the information in a simple manner so that no matter what your background is, it is easy for you quickly pick up what is going on. One thing I wish I has known was how much money we would be spending on food. In the beginning, they told us not to by food from the street since it could make us sick from not being used to it so we ate at restaurants a lot, which ended up costing a lot of money. By the end, I ate more street food and the food was extremely delicious and cheap, so that helped save money. Overall, I highly recommend taking this program!

This program was just unBELIZEable! I enjoyed everything that the program had to offer and I learned so much during the 2 weeks that I spent there. Each day is so fulfilling and they were filled with experiences that I would have never had if I just stayed in the US. Everyone was very nice and welcoming and I never found any problems with any part of the trip. I think if you have the chance to come to the program then you should definitely take the chance.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself in the Large Animal Vet course. I think the people (the local people & the vets/staff of the program) were awesome and the culture was even better than the animals. The program did a great job at giving the student a well-rounded education.

Overall I had a wonderful time on this trip, the experiences and memories will last a lifetime and they are something I will never forget! The hands on experience is something I would have never previously been able to have with specific large animals here in the U.S. So I'm glad I was able to have that opportunity!

The past two weeks have been some of the best of my life, and I recommend this course to anyone wanting to get involved in veterinary medicine, not necessarily just large animal. We got to work with cats and dogs in clinical settings a couple times as well as the large animal experience that the course focused on. The actual course was just the start though, all of the staff involved, from TA's, to the local vets and techs we worked with, to the administrative staff were so welcoming and kind and made our stay as positive as they could.

I could not have asked for a better 2 weeks in Belize. I had so much hands on experience, much more than I expected. The instructors were so friendly and knowledgable which made the whole trip extremely educational and fun. I would recommend this course to anyone interested in large animals!

Having just finished my freshman year of college, I really felt that this course was valuable in that taught me the basics of handling large animals. It allowed me to have a lot of hands on experience and gave me a good foundation for working with livestock. My favorite part was that the veterinary care we assisted with was free for the community! Getting to talk to local animal care takers and see how pet ownership was similar or different in another country was a really unique experience. I am so happy I got the opportunity to take this class, I learned a lot about veterinary medicine as well as the culture in Belize!

CELA's large animal practice session was so much better than I had ever expected, even after reading previous reviews. The program allowed me to gain a variety of experience working with different large animals while also helping out the community. Our days included ample time for us to get the education we came for as well as allow us time to explore the area we were staying. I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to gain hands on experience and learn about animal care in other cultures!

CELA provided an amazing experience! The Belizeans are very friendly and I felt safe walking the town of San Ignacio. The hospitality was exceptional. I enjoyed the hands-on experiences with the cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, and dogs. The most memorable experience was bat trapping at night in the Mennonite community. If you are looking for large animal experience along with immersing yourself in the culture, I would highly recommend the large animal veterinary practices course. You won't regret it!

I took the CELA Belize Large Animal Vet course, as I am a recently graduated pre-vet student. I had minimal knowledge of Belize before I came here, and CELA has opened my eyes to Belize on multiple levels. Along with studying veterinary medicine on farmlands here, we had a lot of time to explore Belize- from the jungle to the cities to the islands. CELA is always helpful in helping you plan a trip, and will guide you though academic and pleasure activities. In the off time we had, we always took advantage of the resources CELA provided us to get a full vet and cultural experience. This was an amazing trip and I learned a lot about large animal medicine in the tropics and about the culture of Belize itself.

This was a wonderful experience! I would highly recommend this course for anyone interested in veterinarian medicine or anyone who wants to gain large animal experience! The veterinarians you work with are wonderful and super helpful! I learned a lot from this experience!

Studying abroad in Belize was a great experience I'll never forget. I gained so much large animal experience that was unavailable to me in the states. It was refreshing to experience veterinary medicine practices in a foreign country where varying approaches are utilized. The cultural experiences were also very special to me. Belize is a beautiful country with wonderful people and I will return soon!

I fell in love with Belize, the kindness of the city and faculty. Not only do you get hands on experience, but you get life lessons. By helping the animals in the course, the students are also helping out the community. Truly a humbling, indescribable, extraordinary experience!

I really enjoyed my time in Belize for this program. Not only did I feel that I gained a lot of valuable information, but I also met a lot of great people. For me the two weeks flew by too fast and I wish I could go back and do it again.

Before coming to Belize and enrolling in this course, I never thought I'd feel like a real person again. Dr. T and Ruben really made this course an amazing experience. I got to do so many hands on things that I'd never get to experience in the states. Initially I was not thinking I'd be prevet but after this experience, I think I might have changed my mind.

I would come back in an instant this was by far the most amazing experience. We met so many amazing people and did things I never imagined doing until I was far into vet school. I recommend for anyone to take thos course.

There are no words to describe how amazing my experience with this program was. Not only did I gain unimaginable hands on experience with farm and small animals, but I learned a ton about Belize and met some amazing people who really made my experience unbelievable. I've never felt so sure about my future career as a veterinarian as I do after this program! Each day was full of awesome farm animal experience and we got to see so many different and beautiful parts of Belize. Dr. T and Ruben were amazing and taught us so much about veterinary medicine and the country. Highly recommended this program and I can't wait to go back to Belize!

This program was really great because we got to have so much hands-on learning which is so much better than just sitting in a classroom. I think we were only in the classroom for two days and the rest of the program was out on farm calls or working in the clinic. Not only do you learn a lot about veterinary science but you also get to go on awesome excursions such as swimming through caves or going to Mayan ruins. It was a great two weeks for me!

I thought the class was really fun and well thought-out, and each experience we had was relevant to the topic of the class. My TA was really engaging and did her best to make every moment worthwhile, and I enjoyed every part of the trip.

I absolutely adored this whole trip. It's extremely inclusive and much more hands-on than I thought it was going to be. I mean I figured we were going to do some kind of hands-on action but I mean in the states you're not allowed to touch the animals unless you've got all kinds of certifications. Fortunately we were allowed to touch everything -- in fact we got in trouble when we didn't! You don't need to tell me twice. The lessons they teach really stick because it's not a notes kind of class; yes there are a few days of classwork but your education is truly the field work. For me this was excellent because I'm an extremely kinesthetic learner so being able to do the things they were teaching made it stick much better for me.

It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The program is great, Dr.T and Reuben are great, I would recommend this for anyone, not just those that are planning on going into vet medicine. Just the people you meet and the experience is worth it.

The course was amazing in terms of hands on experience! The ability to gain surgical experience is valuable since the opportunities to do so in the US are limited, if available at all. The days were filled with not only vet med experiences, but also free time to go to the town/ market, go on excursions, and of course take a much needed nap! This course was worth every penny!

I am very happy with my decision to participate in this study abroad trip. I gained so much knowledge by taking the class that will be beneficial to me in the future. Above all, this trip gave me a boost in motivation to work hard so that I can reach my dream of becoming a vet.

I had a great time on this program. I learned a lot not just about animals but also about myself and others. Experiencing a new culture really opened up my eyes to see things differently. I became great friends with the students in my program.

During my trip to Belize with the Large Animal Veterinary course I was not only given various amounts of opportunities to learn and gain experience in animal health and wellness but was also immersed in the incredibly diverse and unique culture of of the country. If you have the opportunity to study abroad in Belize through the large animal course, DO IT! My experience was nothing short of amazing. During my decision in choosing the program, getting all of the paperwork completed, and preparing for my stay Cynthia was so helpful and always willing to promptly answer all of my questions. The CELA staff, Veterinary, TA, and everyone else who helped out or that we encountered were always incredibly polite, welcoming, eager to teach and explain, and never hesitated to make us all feel immersed and involved. The experience was personally beneficial as well as so rewarding in the sense that we were able to also give back so much to the community while there. My time in Belize was well worth the effort and money it took to have the experience. Being abroad was eye opening, encouraging, and a total boost of confidence for myself, not to mention I was able to meet a ton of awesome people!

This was a meaningful and career directing opportunity to experience the country of Belize and what it is like to be a Veterinarian there. I had the opportunity to immerse myself in the culture and participate in procedures only vet students have the privilege to do in the U.S. It really helped me decide whether or not I am interested in pursuing a career in Large Animal. In addition to all of this, I made lifelong friends! I highly recommend this course as an affordable veterinary study abroad experience. Bonus: a significant portion of your time and tuition expenses goes to provide free vet care for people in the towns we serviced!

This has been an incredible country. The veterinary experience I received was eye-opening, intriguing, and a constant adventure. On top of that, I feel that I genuinely fell in love with the country of Belize, a nation I previously knew nothing about before attending the course. I feel blessed to have had this opportunity: I met incredible people, performed procedures I thought I wouldn't be able to perform until much later in life, and learned about a beautiful culture. I can't wait to visit again.

This is the second course I have taken with C.E.L.A. and I loved the Large Animal Course so much more than the Wildlife. This course was extremely hands on and I learned so much! Please do it, you won't regret it!

My time in Belize was an amazing experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. Through this program I was able to acquire hands on experience that is hard to find anywhere in the States while also getting the all the benefits of traveling to a new place. In addition, all of the people from the CELA staff, Dr. Tesecum and his family, and all of the students in my group were phenomenal to work with. I could not have asked for a better trip and am so thankful to all of these people for making the class what it was.

This course was one of the best experiences I've had theoughout my years in school, I would definitely recommend it to others in my major. The faculty and my fellow students also played a key role in providing such a great experience.

IT WAS AMAZING! I am so glad I was able to be a part of this CELA group. I had the time of my life and learned so many life lessons along with things that I will use in future studies. I highly recommend this to anyone that has an interest in animals.

If you have any interest in veterinary medicine this courses for you. It's incredibly hands-on every day you work in the field with the farmers and the Tescumbs. You learn and experience so many things you cannot yet do in the states and it's an incredible blend of experiencing Belize and learning. I met the most wonderful people on this trip.

This course is life changing! I love all the hands on activities and you meet life long friends! My favorite part was working with all different kinds of animals. Also taking a break and swimming in the beautiful rivers and waterfalls. The Mayan ruins trip was also and awesome experience.

The experience is phenomenal. Everyday there is something new and you work with a different variety of animals. Hands-on work is guaranteed with the best veterinarian there and your new friends are ones you will keep in contact with after learning so much about each other. The days are exhausting, but there is time to hang out with your friends at the nice pool to cool down from the hot days. Belize is also cheap and has great restaurants with delicious foods and beverages.

This program taught me so much and it was an incredible experience. Dr. T and Ruben give their all and are always willing to help. This experience will continue to help me in my future endeavors in the veterinary field.

I thought this entire program was amazing. Dr. T and Ruben made working in the field enjoyable, educational, and extremely hands-on. The experience I got from working with them was more valuable than anything I have ever gotten in the US, and I would recommend this program to anyone interested in animals and veterinary medicine. I think the 3 classroom sessions the first week were informational but weren't necessary. Just asking us to read the slides pertaining to each day would've been better and then we would've had more time to work in the field. Our TA, Natalie, always gave us fun options for things to do and made sure that everyone in the group felt included. I think having 12 of us was the perfect number, and I feel that all of us felt comfortable and close with each other by the end of the trip. I definitely think having boys on the trip was good to break up any drama that can sometimes result in all girl groups when they're together for so long, which our group never had. Midas was a great place to live in terms of location, pool/bar, and bedrooms. Our room was the smallest one and only one without wifi, but it wasn't that much of an annoyance, and I kind of liked not being burdened by electronics when I was there.

Average. When plans got switched, sometimes the message wasn't relayed. For example, whether or not we needed to wear boots or if sneakers were okay when going to the farms. Or what time in the morning we were going to be picked up.

This course was amazing! I learned so much during my stay here and got to participate in so many experiences that I would never have been able to do in the US. I made so many great friends that I know i'll stay in touch with and have so many awesome memories from traveling around Belize. I would highly recommend the ATM cave for it is definitely an exciting and breathtaking adventure.

My experience with CELA and their large animal course was absolutely incredible. I had the opportunity to experience all areas of large animal medicine. From suturing at a spay and neuter clinic to castrations, vaccinations, and laboratory practices, my time spent here was very hands on and valuable. This course also exposes you to Belizean culture and the beauty and history of the country, which allows you to take away a complete outlook on global medicine.

This course was so amazing! The things that you are able to experience in veterinary medicine in Belize do not compare to the United states. I would strongly recommend this course to anyone who is interested in getting hands on experience with large animal veterinary medicine.

This trip was exceptional and simply incredible- by far the best experience of my life! The learning side of the course was truly unique in terms of how hands on we were able to be with the animals. I did so many procedures that I had not done while at school that accelerated and strengthened my learning and skills. I loved how the staff was so willing to let the students do everything with the animals so that we got the most meaningful experience possible. My passion for veterinary medicine was certainly enforced after this trip, and I cannot wait to do this for the rest of my life. This trip was honestly everything I was looking for an then some! Thank you CELA Belize!

Going on this study abroad program was one of the best things I could have done and it was very beneficial to me! There is so much hands on work that it will make you feel overwhelmed with gained experience. I highly recommend this study abroad program to anyone that truly loves helping animals. This is an experience you will not forget.

I had the chance to study abroad in Belize and have to say it was unbelievable. Everything from the class, to the people, to the field experiences was life changing and I hope to see myself in Belize again!

Amazing experience, extremely helpful teachers Ruben/Paige/Dr.T. The cultural immersion aspect was amazing, both between different states in the US and between US and Belize. In addition to this, this program allowed me intimate connection with large animals and gave me vital hands on experience in handling them. There is much more that we are able to do here in Belize as opposed to in the US and these experiences are what will set us apart from our peers.

This trip exceeded every expectation I had. I got to do so many hands on things I would never get the opportunity at home to do the things I got to do. I couldn't believe how upset I was to leave! I'm going to miss Belize and all the wonderful people I met!

study abroad in belize was an amazing experience. The amount of hands on time i got to work with the animals was outstanding. everyday we did something different and i learned something different. From castrations to vaccinations and to doing fun thing slike swimming in huge beautiful water falls. Dr. Tesecum was very helpful in making you feel comfortable and answering any questions you had. The only down fall was that you had to pay for lunch and dinner (everything is fairly cheap but it adds up). Regardless it was a wonderful experience that guided me further in following my dreams, i would recommend this study abroad to any pre-vet student!

I enjoyed my trip so much. It was such a great cultural experience, as well as a learning experience for my field of study. Not only did we learn how vet medicine is applied in Belize but also actual veterinary medical treatments etc. I loved the country and the time period of the stay here. I would definitely come back if the future of i could and recommend the program.

Such great hands on experience. Dr. T, Ruben, and Paige really want you to learn. They actually let you practice instead of just making us watch. There was such great diversity in the animal care we saw throughout the week. The free clinic was my favorite part because everyone got a chance to practice all steps from patient intake to surgery and recovery.

Reuben and Paige were AWESOME. the hands on experience was phenomenal as well. They really seemed like they wanted us to learn and enjoy the program. I felt safe at all times and would highly recommend this program.

Two-week program in Belize that provided great hands on experience for pre-veterinary/ animal science students. Almost all of the time learning is spent out at local large animal farms/ veterinary clinics as opposed to sitting in a classroom all day. This experience has definitely helped prepare me for veterinary school! Skills gained include: suturing techniques, animal husbandry and welfare, an introduction to common and significant diseases of livestock, assistantship in spay/neuter of cats and dogs, castrations of horses, bulls, and boars, administration of dewormer/vitamins (routes of injection).

Overall I really enjoyed the course and would consider returning as a TA. I liked the setting and the hands-on opportunities. I learned a lot and it was very fun. The only suggestions I would have are to lower during trip out of pocket expenses by possibly subsidizing one "fun" day time activity like the Mayan site or a trip to the zoo. Also make it more clear that students need to pay for all their own meals except breakfast, couple students including myself were surprised to find this out. I'm not sure how or if it would work but it would be nice if future student had more lunches or dinners they did not have to pay for while on the trip.

Sometimes it felt like there were too many people there to get much hands-on experience, especially for the suturing and castration practice. A few students who were particularly pushy ended up doing more than others because it's too hard for the TA to regulate everyone. The resort was nice, but you will have to spend a lot of money on food. The students formed cliques and bullied just about everyone at some point. Other than the social life being hard to deal with, it was a cool experience and I think it will look great on a vet school app.

This expeirence was amazing! Not only are you hands on with animals almost every day you get to travel around and experience the hidden parts of Belize! We did a lot of work but also a lot of play! I learned a lot of practices that would be interesting to bring back to the states and put it into my daily activities.

Had an amazing time and learned a lot! The living situation was great and the people leading the program were so friendly and helpful. Got the opportunity to have a lot of hands-on veterinary experience of all types.

Overall the program was very good and there was a lot of immersion in culture and field work. Their were some inconstancies with who we met and when which made it confusing. We would meet someone and not see them again.

It truly was an amazing experience. There were a variety of activities we got to participate in that we would not get the chance to do at home until a year or two into vet school. The instructors and TA, Dr. Tesecum, Ruben, Gabby, and Alejandra, only made it a better experience due to their attitudes which were a good mixture of lets work hard, but still make everything fun. Belize is a beautiful and colorful place, with a very diverse population and I'm really happy I got the chance to experience that, as well.

Really awesome trip! GO if you plan on applying for vet school or even if you want to do anything with animals in your future career. It is such an amazing experience to see how veterinary medicine is practiced in a developing country and there is so much hands-on activities you get to do. Things like assisting in surgery, suturing spay and neuter patients, palpation, castrating, and administering injections are things you wouldn't ever be able to do until your clinicals in vet school. It is so great to get to have that practice ahead of time. GO TO BELIZE!

This program was absolutely amazing! The amount of hands on activities with animals is unlike anything I would have been able to get in the US. The experience I got will definitely aid me in the future. I met some incredible people and I know that we will be lifelong friends.

I thought this program was such an amazing experience. Through this course I was able to participate in hands-on veterinary practicals that most people don't get to experience until they are in vet school! Overall it was a wonderful program with great instructors and I would absolutely recommend this course to anyone considering a veterinary or animal husbandry related field.

This was the best experience I've ever had. I enjoyed every second of my two weeks there. San Ignacio is wonderful, the course and instructors are so knowledgable and fun, and the excursions were amazing. I recommend this to everyone!

This was an amazing experience. I got to meet so many amazing people and was able to learn so much about a new culture in just two weeks. It was also amazing to be able to do things you can't do in the U.S. regarding veterinary medicine.

I had a great experience overall studying in Belize! I had a lot of fun assisting with the surgeries- they were probably my favorite part of the course! I felt very welcomed and safe during the whole trip.

Overall, I was not entirely pleased with this course. I felt as though I had paid to come take a class abroad, but was actually presented with a disorganized and amateurish tour of the country of Belize. Don't get me wrong, I loved the hands-on experience that we were able to get, though some of us were given more opportunities than others. It was disappointing that we got to interact with the actually veterinarian instructor of the course about two times, and that the rest of the "class" more or less consisted of never being told what we were doing, why we were doing it, or what the plan was for anything. Sure we received a schedule, but it was never followed; we were promised opportunities and outings that we never got, and when we asked questions the most common answer was "I don't know." There were also times when we were advised to "keep secrets" about off-schedule trips to waterfalls and "lie" to border patrol about our interaction with potential avian flu cases. I got tired really quickly of the desire of everyone, including the professors and TAs, to go out clubbing and drinking rather than learn anything. Perhaps I am being a Debbie Downer, but I found this trip rather disappointing overall. Once the course has developed some semblance of organization, it will be a great experience for anyone willing to put themselves out there. Until then, be prepared to believe nothing the instructors tell you, because those promises will 100% undoubtedly change.

I think the course could have been a little more organized. I feel that every day we were waiting around to hear the plans for the next day and even then they would change. Students were told different things by different people and I think it would just been a lot easier if everyone was always on the same page. I did enjoy the amount of hands on experience I gained from this trip. It was definitely a great learning experience and created great memories.

The last two weeks in Belize have been so exciting! Belize is a beautiful and interesting place (albeit very very hot!). I have learned so much and have had the opportunity to participate in so many hands-on animal care activities that I would never have been exposed to otherwise. Communication of plans was a little iffy but the TAs did a good job relaying last-minute changes. Bring a LOT of scrubs!!!

I had a great time learning and gaining valuable hands on experience. You definitely get to be immersed in the culture and they throw you right in during field work. I would most definitely do it again!

I felt as though the course has been great for hands on experience. We learned how to do physical exams, administer vaccines and vitamins and even got hands on experience doing castrations. We also were able to palpate on our own. I feel as though these are all hard things to get hands on experience with in the United States. I also liked how we were able to learn how to work with farmers and local people. I felt that this allowed us to get an idea of the way of life and culture here in Belize.

I thought this was an amazing experience. I learned more in two weeks than I had in two years of trying to gain large animal experience. The instructors were extremely willing to help you learn and allowed you to gain real hands on experience. I always felt safe and the resort was beautiful. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking to learn a lot and have a great time!

It was a wonderful trip, and I learned a lot. The country is beautiful and I made a lot of great friends in the program, and the TAs and directors are helpful and very nice. I really enjoyed how much hands on work that we were able to participate in and learn from. It opened up my eyes to a new culture and what large animal veterinary medicine is like. The one thing I really didn't like was the lack of orginization- everything seemed last minute and like we never really knew what was going on until the day of, and that plans were changing constantly. So overall, I had a great, one of a kind hands on learning experience with people that really wanted to help me learn and practice things, but j wish that it would have been better organized and structured.

This was an amazing course that really gave me the opportunity to get the hands on experience I would not be able to get else where. Dr. T was an amazing professor that really gave us the opportunity to experience the differences in veterinarian medicine in third world countries as opposed to the US.

The animal experience was good. Too me, that was the most important part. One gets to work with a wide variety of animals and help in some procedures that someone not even yet in vet school would not usually be allowed to do in the USA. Experiences included suturing up incisions from spays and neuters, castrating bulls and boars, physical exams of horses, and injections for a wide variety of animals. Otherwise I was not impressed with this course. The classroom/academic portion was poor. The instructions for the assignments were unclear. The lectures were poor. The readings that were made available were not the same ones that were on the schedule and none were particularly useful. The social life was stifling as we stuck with the same small group basically every waking hour, whether we liked them or not and whether or not we would prefer to do something else. The administration seemed to be a bit of a mess in regards at least to health care and fun activities - Cynthia wanted us to go to expensive doctors (who were her friends) and go on paid tours of cultural places on our own time and money, those running the course wanted us to go to a cheaper, program associated doctor and wanted to take us on lots of fun excursions saving us time and money (e.g. I did Barton Creek Cave by myself for 55 USD before the course, but as a group we paid 35 Belize each). Additionally our TA was totally useless - she was basically being paid to do what we were paying for. The cultural learning experience was almost non-existent, which is not a good excuse for an exchange. I've been two study abroads before: one I was really sad to see end, the other I enjoyed but was fine with going home, this one I was counting down the days to my return. If you really want or need large animal experience, this class is good, otherwise I'm sure you can find a better way to spend your time and money.

An excellent program where you get a lot of exposure to farm life and large animal care. Hands on experience for giving necessary livestock injections and why. Even assist in operations such as castrating! You will get dirty and get bit by flies but it is totally worth it!

I recieved a scholarship for this course which made the course extremely affordable. I had such a great time in Belize and I am so sad it is over-it went by way too fast. I can honestly say I made lifetime friends here and learned many useful and important information and gained a lot of hands-on experience with large animals, which is hard to find in the United States. I would definetly recommend this course and my only regret is that I didn't sign up for another course! I would go back in a heartbeat!

ISIS Belize is a lot of fun. You will make a lot of great memories and friends during your time studying abroad. The experience you will have is beyond anything you find in the US, it is very hands on with the animals and rewarding to be helping animals in Belize.

This ISIS Belize trip has been a huge stepping stone for my academic, social, and future life. If you intend on applying to vet school, or just want incredible absolute hands-on experience (and get credit for it) I highly recommend this program. We have sutured completely after surgery, performed neuters ourselves, vaccinated / injected, completed entire physical exams for so many animals and along the way you make so many friends who you have a blast with.

Taking this course in Belize has been one of the greatest experiences I've had. I was able to learn a lot about veterinary practices regarding different animals all through hands on experience. The experience is unlike anything that can be gained in a classroom setting. In Belize, the field becomes your classroom.

This study abroad experience was amazing. I didn't think I would get to do this much in such a little time that we have here. Everyday was something new and exciting. This experience is one I will never forget.

The trip was VERY hands on, in the best way possible. you have the opportunity to ligate during spays, and also do castrations. I did a pig castration completely alone! It was truly the greatest and most hands on experience i have ever had. One must be understanding of the situation many farmers face in Belize, so i would only recommend this trip to someone who is open minded. that being said, you will be introduced to people who make animal welfare and care their entire lives. This trip gives you the opportunity to see how many Belizians make a living farming, as well as help them deworm and give vitamins to their cattle. A once in a life time experience that i will remember forever!

I learned so much on this trip, most of it not in the classroom. The hands on experience opportunities given in this course are not possible to get anywhere in the states. I have learned a lot about the culture through visiting farms and on other house calls. I really want to continue to increase my skill levels by practicing suturing and castration in the states, and I hope to find this kind of opportunity. Dr. Tesecum is amazing and so is the TA Gabby. He tried to give each of us a chance to castrate multiple types of animals, help with spays, as well as give physical exams and administer different types of injections each day. I loved this course and would take it again.

Everything about this trip was great. I took this course to become familiar with Large Animals, and this course did that and more. It is extremely hands on, and it is up to you to be willing to take initiative and volunteer. It covers things from suturing, vaccinations, physical examinations, livestock diseases and more. There is also a portion of the course where you can learn about small animals as well. Dr. Tesecum is amazing and you will learn a lot from him. If you are looking to gain hands on experience and experience with veterinary medicine, take this course! Living Situation: Midas resort is amazing. The people are so nice, and it is a short walk away from town!

This course is extremely hands on! The professor and T.A. are willing to answer any questions relating to the field. In addition to getting field experience, the professor allots time for recreational activities to get the full experience of the rich Belizean culture. I would highly recommend this course to anyone who is interested in going to veterinary school! Living Situation: I had insect problems in my room. Also, it would have been more convenient if there had been wifi connections in each room. Food and people were great, though! Very cute housing set up. Program Administration: Some of the trip details were vague until just the week before. I would have preferred a 2 week notice of the itinerary. Also, I would have liked to have been able to book my airline ticket further in advance, but had to wait on confirmation that the class would make. I was limited in my flight choices. However, Cynthia did a great job in promptly answering all of my questions!

This course allowed to me to gain more field experience than I could have ever found at home. I learned so much and got to apply all of my new knowledge to actual procedures at the farms. I would absolutely recommend this program to anyone looking to get out and see the world while also gaining new career skills.

Great program! Very hands on from the start. For this course we visited 3 beef cattle farms, two horse farms, a goat farm, a sheep farm, and a pig farm. We were able to suture spay incisions, participate in castrations, and give many dewormer/vitamin injections. Overall I would highly recommend this program for anyone seeking large animal experience; just be ready for the hard work, heat, and bugs!

This course was great! It was very hands-on and you get to work on your suturing. You gain great large animal experience and get to practice giving shots..lots of them. You also go horseback riding. We got to interact with cattle, pigs, sheep, chickens, and horses. It does tend to get a bit hot so make sure you bring bug spray with more than 7% deet because I had that on and it did basically nothing. Dr. Tesecum is a great doctor and you're guaranteed to have fun working with him and Rueben!

This course was very hands on.

I had a wonderful time here in Belize for the two week Large Animal Veternary Practice class. I learned more than I ever would sitting in a class room all year. The experience is really hands on so you learn how to deal with real life situations that you may have to after Vet School. Dr. Tesecum is an amazing professor. He is ridiculously talented with his work, and amazing at teaching and explaining things. ISIS gives you the weekends off to explore and see beautiful Belize. Wonderful experience!

The large animal course was a great hands on experience.

I had such a great time working with Dr. Tesecum in the Large Animal Course. I learned so much in just my two weeks here. You can't beat a hands on experience! I would recommend this course to anyone wanting to learn more about the large animal veterinary field or for anyone who is interested in animal medicine.

This class is a great opportunity to work with large animals. Each day you are out on the local farms working with whatever species they have available. You get great opportunities and lots of repetition practicing injections as you give dewormers and vitamins. You also get to participate in hands on veterinary procedures such as castrations and palpations while on the farms. Class sizes are small (6-10) so there is plenty of hands-on experience for everyone and instructors are very knowledgeable and can answer any questions you may have. You get great insight on how large animal production and medicine is managed in Belize and how this management compares to the United States. Academics: You get great hands on experience with a lot of species. Perfect for students who have not gotten large animal experience in the states. My favorite part was participating in the castrations of the farm animals. Living Situation: The hotel is great but I would have loved a kitchen instead of having to eat out most nights. Cultural Immersion: Being out on the farm you get to meet a lot of locals and interact with them. Living in the hotel it is a little harder to do so in town. Program Administration: They are there to help you when you need. You can go to them with anything from ailments to advice and help planning weekend travel excursions.

It's a good program for people who know nothing about large farm animals. They throw you in and you do actual medical procedures, which is very exciting. Academics: You learn a lot through a hands-on, not lecture, setting. Living Situation: The resort has cabins of varying quality; all are decent and charming, but some have insect problems and such. Cultural Immersion: We went to several ranches, but did not really interact with the local people in class itself.

My experience in this program has given me a new found appreciation on Vet Medicine. I have been able to gain large and small animal experience in Belize that I didn't quite get in the United States. Don't get me wrong, I got a lot of experience in the US but over here it is by far the most memoriable and I have been having the time of my life here. When you are on the field, yes it is hot or it's raining on you but that goes out the window when you are focused on the bigger picture which is to help the community and its animals. Come join and you will know exactly what I mean.

My experience in this program has given me a new found appreciation on Vet Medicine. I have been able to gain large and small animal experience in Belize that I didn't quite get in the United States. Don't get me wrong, I got a lot of experience in the US but over here it is by far the most memoriable and I have been having the time of my life here. When you are on the field, yes it is hot or it's raining on you but that goes out the window when you are focused on the bigger picture which is to help the community and its animals. Come join and you will know exactly what I mean.

This course was mostly hands on experience. Some of the experiences will be brand new to you and sometimes you will have already experienced them, depending on how much large animal experience you already have. It is interesting to see how they run their farms in Belize but they use what they have access to. The vet and the TA's are wonderful. If your work is done for the day they will take you to fun places. Great experience for the vet school application!

This was a great hands-on class in the tropics. The Dr. in charge of the class allowed students to assist with castrations, spay/neuter clinics, and de-worming. If you need more (or any!) large animal experience this is a great course.

Overall, this course was an awesome, unforgettable experience. The hands-on experience you get in the field is an amazing opportunity and is so much fun. Dr. Tesecum is really good about giving everyone an opportunity to do lots of cool stuff that undergraduates would never have the opportunity to do in the states. We got to assist in castrations, give vaccines & medicine, suture up dogs and cats, assist in spay/neuter clinics, and so much more! If you are at all interested in veterinary medicine or are applying to vet school I strongly recommend this course! It definitely re-affirmed my interest in veterinary medicine and gave me so much practical experience

This course offered students a great opportunity to get hands on experience with large animal medicine. The veterinarian who was in charge allowed students to assist him with spays and neuters of dogs and cats, castrations of pigs, bulls, and horses, and let students give injections and get blood from a variety of animals. He even let some students do castrations on their own! The days are very short, often ending before 12pm, but that gives you plenty of time to explore Belize and relax for the rest of the day. Don't take this class if you are more interested in the academic aspect of the course. There are only 2-3 days that have a lecture component, and they're not very informative. That being said, I loved taking this class and getting to do the field work. I would take it again just for the experiences on the farms.

This course was one of the best decisions I could have made! The hands-on field experience is like no other, and the country itself is amazing. You get great living conditions for your money, and the little town of San Ignacio is very cool. The course itself is awesome! While the classroom experience is limited, the field experience is some of the best you'll get anywhere. You will suture up spayed/neutered dogs and cats, give clinical examinations to horses, catch sheep and give them shots and oral medicine, milk cows, give injections to huge beef cattle, and, yes, practice artificial insemination of cows. If you're even the least bit interested in veterinary medicine, come do this course. It's definitely worth it. Academics: The classroom situation was a little less than expected, but the field experience more than made up for it! The instructor is very knowledgeable, especially in the field, and the hands on experience you get is like no other. This is a very VERY good experience for anyone interested in veterinary medicine or just animals, even if you don't want to specialize in large animals. Living Situation: You get a great living situation for your money! The resort is beautiful, the employees are incredibly friendly, there's wi-fi and AC and clean water, and the cabanas are very cozy. The two local dogs (Spider and Rusty) that hang out at the resort are super cute as well! The wi-fi can be a bit spotty sometimes, and you won't always get a hot shower, but the heat is enough to make anyone want a nice cold shower and if you came to Belize to be on the internet ALL the time, then you're in the wrong place! Cultural Immersion: The Belizian culture is fantastic - the food is great, the people are friendly, and the country is beautiful. You are literally in San Ignacio, which is NOT one of the touristy coast towns with huge fancy resorts. Yes, there are tourists, but the true culture of Belize is not hidden beneath tourist propaganda. Program Administration: The program staff are awesome! They're very helpful and informative, and will be there to help you with anything from tips on good restaurants to a visit to the pharmacy if the local food doesn't agree with you! They're very friendly, so you should never be afraid to contact them! Health and Safety: Travel in groups and you will always be safe. Be careful on roads, as drivers are more lax about road safety here. Most people will stop for you though. The program staff will lecture you thoroughly on safety, so be sure to listen. Social Life: All of the people in the program were fantastic to live and learn with! Weekends are generally free, so make sure to plan fun trips with the friends you make! Destination ideas include the ATM Cave, horseback riding, or a trip to one of the Cayes.

I took this course, because I wanted to spend more than two weeks in Belize learning about animals. I am a wildlife major, and I really enjoyed learning about large animals. Almost the entire course is taught in the field which was really beneficial for me. Won't be switching to an animal science major in order to work with livestock, but I really enjoyed this course.

This was an amazing experience and I wish I could have stayed to take the other course as well, because I never wanted to leave. I could have done without the humidity and the roaches, but the experience was amazing and insightful and gave me real experience with veterinary practices here in Belize, and I also learned a lot about a culture I had never witnessed before. All-in-all, this trip was worth every penny, bug bite, burn, and animal scratch it dished out.

Studying Veterinary Practices in Belize has been a fantastic experience. I have been exposed to a different way of doing things and learned so much. The majority of the course involves hands on experience on local farms and house calls.

This course was full of great hands on opportunities with a variety of animals. A great choice for future vet students. Living Situation: I do not like bugs, but overal the resort wasnt bad. friendly place.

The large animal portion of the I.S.I.S program was a unique hands on experience. I got more hands on in two weeks than 4 years of my undergraduate career. This course paired with the wildlife course made for an amazing month that I will never forget!! Academics: The large animal course is very hands on. We did everything from deworming IM and SQ in cattle, to deworming sheep orally, to floating horse teeth, completing horse physical exams, and best of all castrating sheep and cattle! Program Administration: Every single staff member at I.S.I.S. is kind caring and wonderful. They are not just administrators, but family. Cynthia Reece especially became our Belize mom, she took care of us when didn't feel well, and drove us places if we needed a lift. She was awesome and I can never thank her for all the help! I also can't thank her for putting up with all of the questions I kept emailing her!!