This VIDA trip was definitely one to remember and that I would do again. I was on the vet team, and the mentors were amazing. They were kind, helpful, and were interested in you and your questions. The amount of hands on work is nothing like what you can get in the states and I’m so happy I got the opportunity to experience it. I will go home and recommend this to any pre vet student I know and make sure to get VIDAS name out there on my campus. I’m even contemplating being a VIDA coordinator for my school to bring some students back here with me to get this opportunity. But overall, I made so many friends and made so many new memories that will last a lifetime.

The vet program is way more hands on than anticipated, and allows you the opportunity to know if being a vet is something you really want to do with your life. The staff on the vet team tries to push you out of your comfort zone by quizzing students, having students research special cases found in the clinic to grasp a true understanding, and teach through hands on activities. You also have the ability to meet so many different people, and create long lasting friendships. It is truly a life changing trip, and I am so glad that I was able to be a part of it.

VIDA is an awesome opportunity for any student who is interested in working in the dental, veterinary or medical fields in the future. Especially for future dentist and veterinarians because they get to be VERY hands on and assist in minor surgical procedures. Students on the medical teams are also very hands on as they get to take down patient clinical histories, perform physical exams & learn other medical tests while the doctors ultimately diagnose the patients. It’s a great way to make friends

This program, at first, didn’t seem credible. However, it was a safe, informative, extremely exciting trip that I wish could have gone on for a few more days. You become so close with the people you work with, and in the other fields. It feels as if they have become really close friends and we have known each other for years. The medical knowledge I gained will be essential in my future career. The doctors, from all fields, were very knowledgeable and helpful when it came to learning more. They always took time to answer questions and gave it a 100%.

This trip was a great experience. All of the doctors were so knowledgeable and willing to teach you whatever they could. The community was also so generous and willing to open their homes to us. The staff also made the trip just as wonderful by coordinating all the events and schedule and the translators did a fantastic job interpreting for us! The schedule was very flexible and we were able to see so much. The food was always very delicious! Also, I’m glad I was able to meet so many people from different places!

The vida staff make the experience as amazing as it is. You will be challenged, tired and have a lot of questions, but Pablo, our team leader, and all of the veterinarians were always there for us and I would go back in a heartbeat. They helped showcase to us the beauty of Costa Rica. The first day did feel like it would be a little overwhelming during orientation, but they explained everything very well. I appreciated getting to watch the whole process from intake to recovery before we had to do it ourselves. There was always a staff member close by to answer any questions we had, and I really liked the ratio of vets to students.

I went on this same trip last year and thought it could not be topped. The memories we made and the staff we worked with last year were amazing, but this year they were even better. All of the intake staff (Dra. Ericka, Dra. Carolina, and Dra. Alejandra) were so patient with us and made us feel like there was no dumb question to ask. Even if they were frustrated or stressed, we could not tell because they always wore and smile and a positive attitude. The doctors were very informative and walked us through surgery step by step and answered any questions we had gladly. Dra. Jealiany especially was a trooper throughout our last clinic day. She pushed through the heat, the flu, a spay with a pregnant dog, and two emergencies and still managed to smile afterwards. Vida continually amazes me with the organization of the clinic days and the clinic staff you guys send us with on these trips.

This program and this trip was absolutely amazing and I have nothing but positive things to say about it. I learned more than I even knew I could in such a short period of time. The staff is so patient, compassionate, understanding, enthusiastic, fun, and helpful and I love them all so much. The way that the clinic days were introduced, taught, and done were great. I really loved the recreation days also. I got more out of this trip than I could have imagined and I’ve never been more sure that this is the career I want.