
Kesa Ferguson
Academic Programs International
AlumniMy brother was my primary inspiration to go abroad; seeing his transformative experience in China showed me how much a global perspective can change a...
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Loop Abroad
29
Known affectionately in our office as “dogs and dolphins”, this program offers the best of both worlds! Maximize your two weeks in Costa Rica by combining small animal medicine and marine research; you can build your professional résumé while exploring the country, from the jungle to the city to th
Hear what past participants have to say about their experiences
Program: Costa Rica Pre-Vet Shelter Med and Dolphin Research
The dogs and dolphin program in Costa Rica was the best program to go on! I highly recommend this program if you want to gain more knowledge about dogs and more experiences with exotics such as dolphins
Program: Costa Rica Pre-Vet Shelter Med and Dolphin Research
Our program was a nice split of medical and research experiences we got to be very active and get a little dirty while learning a lot. We got to basically camp in a cabin, which I found so fun! I'm going to miss Costa Rica and all the people I met here so much!
Program: Costa Rica Pre-Vet Shelter Med and Dolphin Research
The dogs and dolphins program offered amazing hands on opportunities that you can't get in the States. This program is special as you truly get out of it what you put in. This program brings you to places you will never see simply traveling and teaches you things you can't always get in class.
Program: Costa Rica Pre-Vet Shelter Med and Dolphin Research
I really enjoyed the whole trip but the activity that was my favorite was the hands-on activities with the dogs. I also really liked ziplining and the sterilization clinic - and best of all it was with all my new friends :)
Program: Costa Rica Pre-Vet Shelter Med and Dolphin Research
Loop Abroad made all the doubts I had about my career path disappear. I t truly exceeded my expectations and I will forever cherish this experience. Both our leaders made the experience special. They really helped us connect as a whole group which made the curriculum easier. They're the BEST :)
Program: Costa Rica Pre-Vet Shelter Med and Dolphin Research
I have learned a lot about vet med and research. The staff helped a lot when I had questions and made me feel very comfortable. This program helped me realize that I am capable of many things as long as I never doubt myself. Thank you Loop! :)
Program: Costa Rica Pre-Vet Shelter Med and Dolphin Research
This hands-on experience is truly unforgettable and has helped expand my knowledge. This trip helped me learn more about my future career in a fun and interactive manner. This is truly a once in a lifetime experience in which I made unforgettable memories!
Program: Costa Rica Pre-Vet Shelter Med and Dolphin Research
I'm very grateful I decided to do this experience. It has been very helpful to learn about different career paths and to have a glimpse into the day to day tasks of both a veterinarian and researcher. Our Loop Abroad leaders made the trip so very fun. They were always positive and engaging and gave a lot of insight into what being a vet is like.
Program: Costa Rica Pre-Vet Shelter Med and Dolphin Research
This Loop Abroad trip is very meaningful and valuable experience for me as a pre-vet student. It opened up new possibilities for my future career. My favorite was the spay-neuter clinic, ziplining, the dogs that are so cute, and all the hands-on experiences. Thank you :) :)
Program: Costa Rica Pre-Vet Shelter Med and Dolphin Research
Our vet and support staff were the funniest and best ever. They were so accommodating, patient, and kind! Wouldn't want this trip to be led by anyone else. My favorite was the zipline, visiting the coffee farm, and stopping for souvenirs!
Program: Costa Rica Pre-Vet Shelter Med and Dolphin Research
My favorite activity was hiking with the dogs becasue it was amazing to see how each of the dogs interact with each other as well as us and the local staff. Both our leaders made the experience special because they were both so welcoming and friendly. Our vet was particularly inspiarational with her way of living and our support staff taught us a lot about vet school!
Program: Costa Rica Pre-Vet Shelter Med and Dolphin Research
Coming into this trip I was a little nervous because I didn't know anyone but I made great connections with the instructors and other students on the trip. It was also great learning about things I was so unsure about. I would 100% recommend this trip to others.
Program: Costa Rica Pre-Vet Shelter Med and Dolphin Research
This program is absolutely amazing. Everyone is very nice and informative and we got to learn and do stuff I never thought I'd be able to do at this point in my career. 10/10 I'd do it again and recommend! I only wish it was a longer trip!
Program: Costa Rica Pre-Vet Shelter Med and Dolphin Research
Loop Abroad was an amazing experience. The people, skills we learned, memories I made are all irreplaceable. My favorite was doing the spay and neutre project. You undoubtedly will learn so much with Loop. I'd recommend it to anyone!
Program: Costa Rica Pre-Vet Shelter Med and Dolphin Research
Loop Abroad has been an amazing organization and has had such a positive impact on my life these past 3 years of attending programs. My favorite part of this program was the dolphin week! Such a unique experience and Dr Lenin is such an amazing teacher
Program: Costa Rica Pre-Vet Shelter Med and Dolphin Research
I enjoyed getting to do all the hands-on activities, especially for skills that I will be using in my vet clinic. The support staff made me feel comfortable to share and answer any of our questions. The research team was also special because they were so passionate about marine biology and the impact of their research projects on the local animals.
Program: Costa Rica Pre-Vet Shelter Med and Dolphin Research
It was so much fun and inspiring. The program made me realize I am studying the right thing! I also met many future friends that share my passion. Researching dolphins and learning from the lectures at the research center was so fun and interesting too - it was actually my favorite.
Program: Costa Rica Pre-Vet Shelter Med and Dolphin Research
My time in Costa Rica was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and it was so amazing. I got to experience a new wildlife memory and see an entirely new culture. This program was so informative and helped me improve my knowledge on marine science and veterinary medicine.
Program: Costa Rica Pre-Vet Shelter Med and Dolphin Research
I would recommend this Dogs and Dolphins program for anybody eager to learn about both of these species. You get amazing hands-on experience while getting a taste of heaven with 1800 dogs around you. At dolphins you see firsthand what research on marine animals looks like and you get to help them with the research. Overall a 10/10 experience you won't get anywhere else
Program: Costa Rica Pre-Vet Shelter Med and Dolphin Research
The best part of this program is the dolphin surveys because it was fun to see dolphins in their natural habitat and help with the research tasks to make sure they are protected here in Golfo Dulce. The researchers were such great teachers and made our week full of fun and educational activities!
Alumni and staff share what it's really like to go abroad

Kesa Ferguson
Academic Programs International
AlumniMy brother was my primary inspiration to go abroad; seeing his transformative experience in China showed me how much a global perspective can change a...
Read Full Interview
Megan Styborski
CEA
AlumniI knew I wanted to study abroad before I even reached college. My older cousin spent a semester in Italy when I was in high school, and I knew from th...
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Mackenzie Casten
University Studies Abroad Consortium
AlumniI have always been intrigued by other cultures, and knew before I even graduated high school that I wanted to study abroad. I love learning new things...
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Sarah Merrifield
University Studies Abroad Consortium
AlumniMy love for the Spanish language, desire to connect with other cultures, and passion for travel.
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Leah Miller
Greenheart Travel
AlumniI wanted to learn about a different culture. I am deeply interested in history, so the idea of cultures completely different from my own fascinated me...
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Christy Morgan
Intercultura Costa Rica
AlumniI love to travel and I knew that immersion would be the best way for me to learn Spanish. I was able to practice with my homestay family and with all ...
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Brittany Beene
CIS Abroad
AlumniOne thing that inspired me to travel abroad is the importance of being a woman of color and being abroad. I truly feel that my experience could inspir...
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Aliyah Blackmore
(CLOSED) Sol Education Abroad
AlumniStudying or traveling abroad for an extended period of time has always been a desire, as I am a young female who has had and continues to develop a wo...
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Michael Martinez
(DEAD URL) SPI Study Abroad
AlumniIn school I felt like I wasn’t utilizing Spanish to the fullest of my ability. I felt like the Spanish I learned every year would only slip away durin...
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Carly Kovatch
(CLOSED) Sol Education Abroad
AlumniI applied to study internationally for a couple of reasons. First of all, traveling is my absolute passion. I am so intrigued by different cultures an...
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McKinley Cole
(CLOSED) Sol Education Abroad
AlumniI chose to apply for an international program because I wanted to enrich my college experience beyond my campus. I wanted to be fully immersed in anot...
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Logan Price
(DEAD URL) SPI Study Abroad
AlumniI chose to study abroad to widen my cultural understanding of the world and its people. Most of my life, I grew up and was never allowed the opportuni...
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Brad Miner
Academic Programs International
AlumniI chose API because they had everything that I was looking for: pre-departure assistance, in-country resident directors, host families, excursions, an...
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Leanne Shinkle
(DEAD URL) SPI Study Abroad
AlumniI chose to study abroad because before traveling with SPI I had never been outside of the country. I wanted to do it because I love Spanish and learni...
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Kendra Maxfield
WorldStrides
AlumniI decided to apply to go abroad because I needed a change of pace. I was exhausted with the college routine in Minnesota and I needed to experience so...
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Sheri Bechard
CEA
AlumniI wanted to travel and see the world, just like many other students my age, but it was not about just putting stamps in my passport or knocking must-s...
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Matt Lawson
(CLOSED) Sol Education Abroad
AlumniI have lived in Kentucky my entire life. As much as I love where I have grown, I've always had this desire to experience the world in all its natural ...
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Margo Bailey
(CLOSED) Sol Education Abroad
AlumniI chose to study abroad because I was a travel-lover searching for a sense of independence. I had traveled plenty of times with my family, but by atte...
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Danielle Lockard
WorldStrides
AlumniChoosing which study abroad program was the best fit for me didn’t happen overnight. It took a lot of research and comparing to finally reach a decis...
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Carter Harris
WorldStrides
AlumniISA offered the most educational and experiential options. My thought was that if I was going to study abroad, I was going to make the most of my expe...
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