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Loop Abroad

4.94 Rating
189 reviews
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Why choose Loop Abroad?

Loop Abroad has been offering exciting animal and teaching programs abroad since 2009. We offer summer and semester programs for people who love animals, travel, adventure, and authentic experiences. With programs in Asia, Africa, Australia and Ecuador, Loop Abroad continues to offer incredible opportunities for students to get hands-on experience with greatly respected organizations, and earn college credit through a university partner while doing so!

Founded
2009

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Community Photos

During the elephant course, we worked at three different elephant sanctuaries to learn about different care methods and how the sanctuaries handle various ethical dilemmas in Thailand.
During our companion animal course, we went to a local cat rescue to practice physical exams on their recent intakes.
As part of the marine course, we spent two days volunteering and assisting the vets at two different sea turtle rescues, which was great hands-on experience with these incredibly animals.
As part of the advanced dive course, we got to see a the HTMS Suphairin 313 wreck, which was super cool! We even got to go through the main cabin and captains cabin!
One of the rescue sites that we visited was purely hands-off, so we spent our time there observing the elephants in their natural habitat during the "elephant hikes"!
During the elephant course, we learned how to perform basic footcare for the elephants.
During our zoo animal medicine course, we got to have a lab session where we learned how to perform physical exams on meerkats!!
Elephant at ENP eating bananas
At Elephant Nature Park (ENP)
My favorite view
Elephant walk

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Community Awards

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Reviews

madison
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Loop Abroad - College Veterinary Service Program

I completed a similar program but for the entire Spring semester! I couldn't find it on the regular page

Mar 7, 2026

I got a lot of once in a lifetime hands-on experience in the veterinary field working with companion animals (cats/dogs) and wildlife (elephants, zoo, sea turtles). The country itself felt super safe for solo travel and there was so much to see! Everything in Thailand was cheaper as well, which was helpful for budgeting. Housing wasn't always the cleanest, but it was liveable. We had social issues throughout the duration of the trip, but I think that's unfortunately to be expected with a large group of girls. By the end, we had all peacefully coexisted and we sad to leave eachother.

*My program was the CIS/LOOP abroad pre-veterinary semester in Thailand*

Pros
  • veterinary experience
  • beautiful country
  • The semester ended earlier than the semesters back home so I was able to travel more after the program ended
What other participants should know
  • Our schedule was so packed there wasn't time for traveling and sightseeing. Traveling required doing quick day trips and waking up at like 4am for flights so that you'd have time to travel and then fly back for class by like 5pm.
  • ~75% of us students on the trip got really sick (in the hospital) during our stay (all at different times during the semester), but missing classes negatively impacted your grade
  • The scuba diving portion of the program didn't feel safe. We weren't scuba or equipment trained prior to entering the middle of the ocean so not everyone in the program passed due to fear and inexperience
Allison
Female
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Loop Abroad: Veterinary Semester in Thailand

Truly a Semester to Remember!!

Sep 6, 2024

Studying abroad in Thailand on the veterinary science semester was one of the best decisions that I have made in my life and one that I would easily make over again if it was offered to me. From the moment I arrived in the country to the day the program ended, the staff on site were incredibly welcoming and supportive. Our first week was spent familiarizing ourselves with the home-base city, language, culture, and religion before we started on the veterinary medicine side of learning. We started with an intro level companion animal science course, which was beneficial to bring everyone up to the same level in terms of skills/knowledge before starting the more complex coursework with the other species. From there, we had quite the busy schedule over the remaining 10 weeks while working with elephants, sea turtles, zoo animals, reptiles, and scuba diving. Each course was held in a different part of the country so we would frequently have Saturday free with traveling on either Sunday afternoon or Monday morning. I enjoy staying busy so this schedule worked well for me, but I could see it being too much for someone that prefers more downtime. All in all, I feel like this program is an amazing option for pre-vet college students, but it really is what each individual student makes of it. The more you pay attention, demonstrate skills, and offer yourself as a volunteer, the more opportunities that will be offered to you and the more hands-on experience that you will receive!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice to future travelers would be: “Don’t be afraid to say yes.” While studying abroad, there will be countless opportunities presented to you, many of which will more than likely be out of your comfort zone. While it is always important to be safe in situations, I find that I have had the most growth and best memories in moments that were initially out of my comfort zone or that initially made me nervous!
Pros
  • I am incredibly grateful for the ability to work with as many species as we did, especially those that otherwise wouldn’t be available to learn with in the US. I also really enjoyed that we as students got to assist with nearly all of the procedures as
  • The Advanced scuba dive certification was included in the program tuition, so we got to partake in 17 dives around the island of Koh Tao, which was an amazing and memorable experience!
  • Learning Thai was made super easy because we had a dedicated Thai language teacher working with us every day during the first week and then periodically throughout the entire rest of the semester. In this class, we learned about the language, culture,
What other participants should know
  • There were some points in which the housing conditions were less than ideal, but looking back, it was just a part of the overall experience, and I don’t think that I would change a thing. However, in the moment, things such as no AC, no hot water for s
  • Thailand is full of mountains, which means that majority of the roads are super windy. As someone who gets somewhat easily carsick, I sometimes struggled on the longer drives or ferry rides to the project sites, even after taking Dramamine. If you are
During our zoo animal medicine course, we got to have a lab session where we learned how to perform physical exams on meerkats!!
During the elephant course, we learned how to perform basic footcare for the elephants.
One of the rescue sites that we visited was purely hands-off, so we spent our time there observing the elephants in their natural habitat during the "elephant hikes"!
As part of the advanced dive course, we got to see a the HTMS Suphairin 313 wreck, which was super cool! We even got to go through the main cabin and captains cabin!
As part of the marine course, we spent two days volunteering and assisting the vets at two different sea turtle rescues, which was great hands-on experience with these incredibly animals.
During our companion animal course, we went to a local cat rescue to practice physical exams on their recent intakes.
During the elephant course, we worked at three different elephant sanctuaries to learn about different care methods and how the sanctuaries handle various ethical dilemmas in Thailand.
Taylor
Female
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Loop Abroad - College Veterinary Service Program

Thailand College Vet Service

Sep 4, 2022

The elephant nature park is unreal! It is by far the most magical place an animal lover can experience. Any time you sit anywhere there is always a four-legged companion at your side. I have never seen such happy animals, they are all in a constant state of play. Seeing elephants being elephants never gets old. They are spectacular animals with so much personality! Getting the opportunity to observe them in a setting where they can be themselves and be loved is indescribably beautiful.

The dog rescue clinic gave me so much confidence in my small animal clinic skills. They give you a non-judgemental space to practice vet skills and ask questions that can be very difficult to find in a hospital setting at home. The city days pass by so fast because you get to do so much every day!

The loop abroad team is there for you anytime. This team puts in so much effort and it shows - the program is really one of a kind! The guides and course instructors are some of the most compassionate people I have ever met. Most people you come across at the elephant nature park and dog rescue clinic are so courageous, wholesome, and humble. The people I got to work with changed my life for the better because they genuinely value each of their students as an individual.

Pros
  • THE MOST AMAZING STAFF - the best people you will ever meet
  • Elephants, dogs, cats, geckos
  • You get to do so much in two weeks that would take months to learn in a hospital
What other participants should know
  • Elephant activities on the felid may be hard if you have any trouble running
  • There are plenty of vegan/vegetarian options once you are in the program but the plane might not
Elephant at ENP eating bananas
Jenna
Female
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Loop Abroad - College Veterinary Service Program

Fun and Educational

Sep 2, 2022

It was very interesting to learn about elephants and how they are treated! The history was about some of the elephants was heartbreaking but essential information to help conserve the elephants and make educated actions. Learning about companion animals was also interesting and is useful for the future! At the dog rescue clinic we were able to be very hands on which I would not have been able to do at my local clinic. Being close to the elephants and meeting new people in a fun environment made this trip memorable.

Liliana
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Loop Abroad - College Veterinary Service Program

Thailand two week trip

Sep 2, 2022

Two weeks go by fast, especially when engaged in multiple activities; from scooping elephant poop, to observing their behavior, assist neutering dogs, cats and visiting the city of Chiangmai. Its amazing to do all these activities in a different country as you have the opportunity to experience other people's culture and day to day life. For me all the trip has been a memorable experience as every day was different and unique. I would highly recommend anyone interested in gaining animal experience to attend this trip.

Pros
  • Hands on experience
  • Culture engagement
What other participants should know
  • Bugs
  • No other activities if a student can't participate
At Elephant Nature Park (ENP)
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Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Maria Berry

Program
Loop Abroad - College Veterinary Service Program
Maria Berry

Why did you choose this program?

The Loop Abroad trip to Thailand was first brought to my attention during a meeting for my university's pre-veterinary medicine club. I was initially impressed because of the relatively low cost of the program, considering how much hands-on experience was included in the trip. I also wanted to go to experience the country's culture - I had been thinking of visiting Thailand far prior to learning about the trip and was excited to experience the country's culture. Finally, I knew this veterinary and cultural experience would be a fantastic addition to my applications to veterinary or graduate school in the future.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Loop Abroad was incredibly thorough in helping us through the application and trip preparation processes. This was especially true due to the fact that I signed up in a private group created by a fellow pre-vet club member who had gone on the trip the year prior. The main things we had to do were filled out a form (for safety/medical information, passport information, and other necessary paperwork), pay, and pack; Loop Abroad helped a great deal with the trip's financial aid and other logistics.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Even if this is your first time studying abroad, or your first time ever being out of the country, it's okay - you will be safe and enjoy yourself.

Loop Abroad is wonderful at answering questions - you just have to ask. As for the trip itself: make sure to bring more clothes than you think you need, especially for the time you spend at Elephant Nature Park. Since it's very hot and humid, you'll want to change clothes much more than you would at home, and you want enough clothes to last you through the whole week (and longer). Additionally, conditions at Elephant Nature Park are more "outdoorsy" (i.e. you will sleep in cabins without air conditioning and be working outside all day), so bring clothes for that week that you aren't afraid to get dirty.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

This is dependent on the week. During one of the weeks, participants are staying at Elephant Nature Park outside of Chiang Mai. During the day, you and those in your Loop group will be doing various veterinary activities with the elephants, dogs, cats, and horses in the park. These include a diet study, a fecal/urine analysis, time spent at the park's cat and dog clinics, and rounds alongside an elephant veterinary professional. Meals will be eaten with the other Loop participants and those staying at the park. There will also be an activity every night, most relating to local Thai culture.

During the other week, participants will be staying at a hotel in Chiang Mai. During the day every day, participants will learn about veterinary medicine at a rescue clinic, and in the afternoon/evening, participants will do an activity (related to Thai culture) in Chiang Mai.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I was nervous to be abroad alone, as this trip was my first experience leaving North America. I was mainly nervous that I would be unable to communicate with my parents and other loved ones if something bad were to happen. Thankfully, I was able to contact my parents every day of the trip. I didn't need a SIM card, like many places we went to had WiFi access.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Another question I had prior to this trip was whether any prior animal science knowledge was needed to fully participate in the trip's activities. My (relatively short) microbiology experience has not given me prior animal science knowledge, and I worried I would be unable to completely understand what we learned in the clinics and at ENP. However, this concern was for nothing - the veterinarians who traveled with us did a great job of filling us in and explaining what was going on (and why).