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Veterinary Field Study

Eko Tracks
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Eko Tracks
9.5 Rating
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Study veterinary science in South Africa

About

Join us for an experience of a lifetime on this field study program in South Africa. Meet and interact with conservationists and wildlife veterinarians in the field, learn about the crucial balance of people and wildlife in conservation today, and gain hands-on experience by taking part in game capture operations. The course includes wildlife veterinary science, wildlife diseases and medicine, in-field pathology lessons, capture and care of wild animals, wildlife rehabilitation, ecosystems and biodiversity conservation.

Highlights
  • Wildlife veterinary, diseases, game capture, animal rehabilitation

Questions & Answers

Reviews

9.5 Rating
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  • Academics 7
  • Support 9.5
  • Fun 10
  • Housing 10
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Kelsi
27
Female
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience of my life!

Nov 3, 2016

I went on the Vet's in the wild field study, and it was by far the best experience of my life. I'm so happy I got to be apart of this once in a lifetime adventure! Thank you so much for letting me experience this!
I got to learn so much about conservation and the animals native to South Africa. I also was very lucky to be able to meet some lifelong friends along the journey. I would recommend this to anyone who asked!

What would you improve about this program?
I would make it more oriented towards learning tasks that veterinarians do, instead of all conservation. I did love all the conservation talk, however, I did expect to do more hands on things. It was also hard to do things with 13 people. So, smaller class sizes would be ideal.
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Rachel
27
Female
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

My Veterinary Field Study Experience

Oct 5, 2016

This was hands down one of the most amazing experiences of my life! It was so amazing to be able to see the beautiful animals of Africa without having a glass wall between us - seeing them in the wild like they should be. One of my favorite parts of this adventure was Kruger National Park, where we got to observe the animals doing what they do everyday - from a leopard lounging under a tree, to an elephant bathing in the watering hole, to a lioness going after a water buffalo! These are things that I will never forget. All of the places we stayed in were very nice and unique, and our guide (Mike) always made sure that we had unique meals to try (they were all delicious)! Every place we stayed was different from the last, and we got to meet so many amazing people who taught us valuable lessons about wildlife conservation. I honestly have a completely different outlook on some topics than I did on my first day! The lectures were always interesting it was cool to be able to apply what we were learning when we did hands on work - such as doing a necropsy on an impala or capturing a giraffe! I loved working directly with the animals, especially at Cornells when I got to feed Haley the Wildabeast her breakfast and dinner. I'll never forget this experience and all of the amazing people I met along the way. If you have the chance to go on this trip, do it!!

What would you improve about this program?
There were some things that I thought we were going to to but the we didn't (which was a huge bummer) such as playing with baby lions or riding an elephant. Although I know that the Elephant ride was taken out of the program it still would've been really cool to have a little bit of an interaction with them.

I also felt sort of unprepared for the essay, without knowing the grading criteria or anything like that.
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Alumni Interviews

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

Rachel LeMont

Program
Veterinary Field Study
Rachel is a Pre-Veterinary / biology student at Portland State University. Some of her favorite things are hiking around the Pacific Northwest, traveling, rainy movie days, trying new foods, and (last but definitely not least) animals! Although being a veterinarian is a huge goal of hers, traveling the world and experiencing as many different cultures as possible is her main one!
Veterinary Field Study in Africa

Why did you choose this program?

I chose this program because I have a passion for both animals and travel. Traveling to Africa to be able to work directly with animals is just not an opportunity you get everyday! I loved the idea of learning more about wildlife conservation, meeting new people, and immersing myself into a culture that is so different from my own.

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

The program provider let me know what documents I needed to have ready, and they helped me make sure that I was packed appropriately for the activities we were doing. They also gave me tips on what I should and shouldn't do in an unknown country.

All of the activities were already organized which was great! Basically all I had to do was book my flight for the right dates, make sure that I had all of the right equipment packed, and fly on over!

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

Don't spend a bunch of money on medications like anti-diarrhea pills or re-hydration salts - all of the food that we ate was fresh and all of the water was good! Also, leave room in your duffel bag for souvenirs.

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

Everyday we did something new and exciting and fun! One day we were hanging out with cheetahs, the next we were on a night safari in Kruger National Park, and the next we were walking around in a giraffe sanctuary with them walking right up to us - you will never be bored!

Even the lectures were so interesting, and you were able to apply what you learned right then and there. Every night we had campfire talks that brought the group closer and closer together.

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

Oh, where do I start... This was my first time traveling abroad by myself - with no friends or family. I was really nervous that it would not be what I expected and I would have no way to get home, maybe I wouldn't like my group or my guide. But as you can tell, that was not the case.

The trip was even more amazing than I expected and I am now really close friends with the whole group!

Just try to open up with the group so you can really connect - they are obviously all interested in the same things as you!

About Eko Tracks

Eko Tracks offers quality projects including study abroad programs, internships and volunteer opportunities for people who are looking for an educational and practical experience.

We are passionate about Africa's nature, wildlife, and cultural diversity unique to this continent. But above all, we are dedicated to conservation through education....

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