Program Reviews

This trip was the experience of a life time and really allowed me to use the veterinary skills I had already learned as well as learn new ones. Although I am not planning to into exotic veterinary medicine it was still fascinating to learn so much about Australia’s wonderful animals. The staff also made time to learn about animals we may see everyday such as rabbits and goats which was extremely interesting to me as I want to be a mixed animal practitioner. I also enjoyed learning about the native plants and culture.

This trip was amazing! I attended this trip the summer of 2017 and it was my first time leaving the country! Loop made the experience so easy! The program was so much fun! We learned so much about the conservation of cheetahs while also getting valuable practice in veterinary related fields including suturing, necropsys, and lab procedures! The weekend trip to Kruger was also amazing. When getting up to at 5am to go on a safari looking for wild animals the cold doesn’t seem so bad anymore! Overall, this trip was amazing and I’m so glad I did it!

This was without a doubt the BEST experience I have ever endured! I am so passionate about Big cats and conservation, so this was an amazing way to learn more on this while making an impact at Feracare Wildlife Center! The vets we worked with are amazing and so talented. I have gained new skills from making blood smear slides to suturing! Seeing Feracare's vet doing what he does best was so inspiring to watch! We also had the amazing opportunity to go to Kruger National Park on a safari, which was AMAZING! This was also just such an amazing way to meet new people that are passionate about animals they way you are. We were all constantly laughing and having a great time together! I am so blessed to have been able to have had this opportunity. Feracare is a wonderful place filled with wonderful people who love what they do and make a difference every day in these deserving animals' lives. I would fly back right now if I could!

I can honestly say that this was one of the best experiences I have ever had! I never even imagined how much I would be able to learn in a matter of just two weeks! The staff was super cool and made it so much fun, from the veterinarians, to the cooking staff, to the staff at Feracare. Feracare (where we stay), was one of the most amazing places. It had amazing views and there were animals everywhere. They always made sure that everyone was taken care of and any problems if any were taken care of (had a few people get sick). The lectures were really informative and the activities whether it be Camp cleaning, Thatching, or Feeding were always a lot of fun! The veterinarians were so great, I don't think I could say enough about them; I know that if I ever needed anything to help me in my future endeavors, they would in a heartbeat! On top of that, I left the two weeks with so many great friends, something I wasn't expecting to happen! The weekend spent on Safari in Kruger was amazing, we saw so much, like: Zebra, Giraffes, Spotted Hyenas, Hippos, etc. In addition, having dietary restrictions I wasn't sure if I felt comfortable enough to even want to go abroad. Loop Abroad was super accommodating and made sure that I was taken care of everywhere we went! I would 100% recommend going on a trip with Loop if given the chance! I know that I plan on taking another in the upcoming summer!

I had such an amazing experience in South Africa. I thought that I wouldn’t really make close friends while I was there, but I fortunately did and that made my experience better than expected! I also learned so much being a biology major and this being my first time hearing veterinarian lectures. I know that going to South Africa, you would it expect it to be warm, but it was pretty chilly throughout the day and it is really cold at night. I know that when applying for Vet school that they like when you have experience and I personally think that this is a great experience to have in your application. My favorite memory is when I got to go inside an enclosure with a cheetah named Laura and feed her. She looked right into my eyes and in that moment, I felt such a loving connection with Laura even though I was just feeding her. It made me feel so incredibly happy and I knew Laura would be someone special to me during the rest of my trip.

From the first step that I took in South Africa I fell in love! Not only are you in an amazing country the team at Feracare Wildlife Centre is so welcoming! Being able to work hands on with the Cheetahs and other wildlife is so rewarding! The 3 veterinarians I know will forever help guide me in my future if I ever need anything! The trip to Kurger National Park is so breathe taking. Waking up in the morning and being able to see giraffes right outside the house is jaw dropping. Plus all the students that travel with you will become friends for a life time!

This trip was incredible. Koh Tao is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. The water was crystal blue and we learned so much about conservation efforts going on with the coral reefs. My favorite part was being able to go scuba diving! We also go the chance to snorkel everyday and help out with fish surveys along the reef. Overall, this experience was amazing and I hope to go back soon!

Marine bonus week in Koh Tao was by far my favorite experience of the whole trip. From the snorkeling everyday to scuba diving! It's literally an experience you must have while out in Thailand. I loved seeing the beautiful sea turtles in their natural habitat all while learning about them made it more interesting to see. I also love having the option to go to yoga every morning prior to lecture, it was so peaceful & got my mind right before the day started. Everyone at New Heaven diving school were great. They were patient with me & made me feel so welcomed to be there. I highly recommend taking the marine bonus week, it's the perfect way to end your Thailand trip ! I would definitely love to go back.

There is never a day I don't wish I was back in Thailand living my dream thanks to Loop Abroad. I truly mean when I say it that this program fulfilled my bucket list goal of living in Thailand amongst elephants and becoming a part of such a beautiful country. Every day was an adventure, an adventure I got to experience in a truly traditional, ethical, never-forgetful type of way. I was in charge of my own adventures with the security of knowing that in case something went wrong, in case I got lost in the busy streets of Thailand, in case I didn't know what to do or what to explore, I had Loop Abroad at the push of a button to call for tips, help, advice, everything.
Loop really made the transition into such a different country very easy. We took a course the first week of the semester that helped us get accustomed to the traditions, food, religion, language, and way of life of Thai people. It was a good foundation to have knowing we would be spending 3 months in this country.
From every course we took, small animal to exotics and conservation, the instructors were very helpful and willing to work with you, give you tips and any information to help you succeed not only at the course in Loop but back home as well.
Working with elephants was the highlight of my trip. Working with them in an ethical way, meaning no riding, no shows, no negative punishment, only made my experience that much more amazing. I am a strong believer in the proper treatment of animals and Loop exceeded that expectation by working with organizations that do not exploit animals and truly care for their well-being.
As a group we traveled all over Thailand to work with a variety of species. From dogs & cats in Chiang Mai, to elephants in Kanchanaburi, to sea life at the island of Koh Tao. All our transportation was taken care of and we never had to worry about how to get somewhere or where we will sleep or what we will eat - Loop always made sure everything was organized & ready for their students.
What makes this program even more unique to me is the trust Loop has in their students. Yes, you get to work with amazing animals and on their website you can see all the things you get to do as a student so I will not repeat that. What shows how much they trust you to not only work with all types of animals but to be yourself is the fact that after our "work day" is done, we are free to do as we please. That can mean going for a massage, trying a new restaurant, exploring a new city, visiting elephant nature park, or anything you can possibly think of. We also get a "weeks vacation" where for a whole week you are free to do as you please. This can mean traveling around Thailand some more or even leaving the country like I did! Not only did I get to explore the beautiful country of Thailand, work with elephants and other exotics, but also travel around Asia while I was there - & there is no one to thank for that but Loop Abroad.
I cannot tell you enough how great this program is and how happy I am I got the opportunity to go, so I encourage you to do the same !

As a pre-veterinary student, it was difficult finding a study abroad program that coincided with both my future career and travel goals - I wanted to experience a completely new culture but also knew that I needed to gain more veterinary experience. I almost gave up hope in finding the perfect program, but then I heard about Loop Abroad. Their semester program was exactly what I had been looking for, so I applied, and half a year later I was sitting on a plane en route to Thailand.
Over the course of 14 weeks, I learned about many aspects of veterinary medicine, conservation, and Thai culture. We spent time at a dog shelter, where we helped with surgeries and learned about a variety of essential veterinary skills (i.e. blood draws, physical exams, anesthesia, catheter insertions, 4Dx snap tests, etc.), and visited and worked at elephant sanctuaries where we learned about the fundamentals of elephant medicine and got lots of valuable hands-on experiences with exotics during our travels across the country. These are just some of the many areas of animal health and veterinary work that we touched upon.
The program takes you all over Thailand, where you get to experience the unique cultural aspects of the country as well as the various challenges that come with veterinary medicine. It was amazing being able to work with both Thai and American veterinarians, and I learned so many life lessons that shaped me into a more confident and independent individual. I hardly had any veterinary experience before embarking on the Veterinary Semester Abroad trip, but coming out of it I gained so much experience and appreciation for the field. I would do it again if I could, and I highly recommend this experience for anyone interested in pursuing the veterinary field.