Prepare yourself for vet school with hands-on experience in elephant sanctuaries, zoos, veterinary hospitals, and marine conservation centers around Thailand
This once-in-a-lifetime experience for pre-vet students does not waste a moment of your semester. With your cohort, you will gain over 200 hours working with veterinarians as you explore different parts of Thailand including the mountains and jungles around Chiang Mai, the metropolis of Bangkok, and the island of Koh Tao. This program is designed to provide you with technical knowledge and animal handling experience while building your cultural and communication skills as you work with amazing experts in incredible locations. The courses that are built into the program will provide you with experience in different areas of veterinary medicine and veterinarian-supervised training, including work with small animals, exotic animals, aquatic animals, wildlife, and zoological medicine.
Thinking about a career in veterinary medicine and applying to vet school? This program is ideal for gaining practical skills, building relationships with animal experts around the world, and gaining an insight into the life of a practicing veterinarian. Not to mention the hundreds of hours of unique experience that will give you a competitive edge applying to vet schools and in the field. Join us for animal experiences that you can’t get anywhere else on the planet while developing hands-on veterinary skills, building your resume, and having an amazing guided adventure in Thailand. Not planning to apply to vet school but interested in hands on-learning of animal and marine science? This is still the program for you!
Read on to learn more about what this program has to offer and how the Veterinary Science Semester can benefit you.
What to Expect
Language(s):
English
Average Courseload:
20.5 academic credits + over 200 veterinary hours
GPA Requirement:
3.00
Visa Requirement:
YES - Pre-departure
Highlights:
Earn 20.5 academic credits and over 200 veterinary hours in 14 weeks.
Gain hands-on experience with small animals, exotics, aquatic animals and wildlife, including elephants!
Learn veterinary medicine in elephant sanctuaries, veterinary hospitals, zoos, and marine conservation centers.
Spend three weeks on Turtle Island staying a few steps from the beach! SCUBA dive over coral reefs surveying coral health, tropical fish, and more. SSI Open Water or Advanced SCUBA certification included.
Enjoy a comprehensive experience! All meals and in-country transportation are included.
Learn More About This and Other Programs
Program Details
Loop Abroad
CIS Abroad is partnered with Loop Abroad to deliver this veterinary science semester program. Loop Abroad is dedicated to providing the best experience for students pursuing careers working with animals. In partnering with world-renowned conservationists, Loop Abroad can both support global animal welfare and protect endangered animals while offering students unprecedented opportunities for hands-on and unique observational experience.
Areas of study with 1 to 2 classes available
Humanities
Areas of study with 3 to 7 classes available
Natural & Applied Sciences
Life in Chiang Mai - Vet Science
While your home base will be Chiang Mai, you will have the opportunity to visit and explore many other locations on this unique program!
Live the Local Life
Elephant Nature Park
Home to over eighty elephants who are no longer able to work in elephant-based industries or have been rescued from inhumane conditions in logging, trekking, or circus operations. The Park and its founder, Lek Chailert, have been recognized time and again for tireless efforts to improve the lives of elephants in SE Asia.
Dog Rescue Clinic
The Clinic provides free care and sterilizations to village dogs and cats and overflow housing for dogs at the nearby rescue, the Animal Rescue Kingdom. All made possible by the hard work of local veterinarians and visiting veterinarians and students!
New Heaven Coral Reef Diving School
Much more than just a SCUBA diving school, New Heaven has more than 20 years of experience showing and preserving the island reefs and occasionally hosting sea turtles in their small nursery. Travel from Chiang Mai to the islands in the Gulf of Thailand to visit New Heaven and learn to SCUBA dive and conserve the reefs!
Vet Science
Location
Students will be based at the Eco Resort in Chiang Mai, but will also stay in local hotels as they visit different sites throughout the program.
Meals
Every meal for the duration of your program is included in the program price. You won't be disappointed with Thai cuisine.
Inclusions and Amenities
Bathroom - SharedBed LinensCleaning ServiceCommute - ShuttleLaundryLaundry - Service AvailableMeal Plan - IncludedPool
What's Included
Inclusions
Program fees are in U.S. dollars and include the following:
Full-time tuition and fees
Housing
All meals while on program
Transportation to class each day
Transportation within Thailand (airfare to and from Thailand not included)
Books and lab fees
Medical and accident insurance (just in case!)
CIS Abroad support services before, during, and after the program
University of Findlay Transcript
Academic advising
Financial aid counseling
Assistance with travel arrangements
LIVE! Pre-departure Orientation
Airport pickup
CIS Abroad orientation
On-site support
The Local Life cultural program
And on and on! (even the standard inclusions, which we know can vary!)
Site Director
David Jackson
Site Director in Thailand
About:
David was born in the UK and moved to the US when he was 16 and completed high school and University in Colorado. As an avid traveler, his first thought on graduation was to travel to Asia. He volunteered and lived with a family in Kathmandu for 2 months before traveling to Thailand. He quickly fell in love with the country and for the last 12 years has worked as a teacher, as a development officer in NGOs, and has worked with volunteers and study abroad programs for the last seven years. He has an MA in Asia Pacific Studies and is fluent in Thai. He loves his work because it allows him to share his love of Thailand and its people with participants and at the same time support the great things that people all over Thailand are doing every day.
Travel Tip:
Looking for a cool and exciting way to explore Bangkok? The whole city used to be based around canals, so jumping on a boat gives you a way to get out of the traffic and experience the real Bangkok.
Your Support Staff
Amanda Murphy
Program Enrollment Coordinator - Australia, Costa Rica, Greece, and Thailand
Travel Tip:
Don't overplan. Have a place to stay, pick a few major things you want to do, and then just get lost in the beauty of it all. If you plan too many activities, you miss out on stumbling into the most wonderful things that you'll never forget.
Alexandra Woolner
Director of International Operations
Travel Tip:
Expect the unexpected! Sometimes culture shock is stronger in countries where you expect things to be more similar to your home country and environment. Traveling abroad is an excellent way to learn more about your own culture, habits, style, and adaptability.
Kaylee Klinger
Communications & Alumni Relations Coordinator
Travel Tip:
The best travel tip I always share is, if possible try to catch a redeye flight. That has helped me tremendously fight jet-lag and it allows you more time to explore the extraordinary unfamiliar place!
Serenah Quiroga
Advising & Communications Coordinator
Travel Tip:
Always find a reason to talk to a local or someone you may not know. Whether it's a simple hello, compliment, or question, there is always something to learn from every person you meet. Some of my best experiences and favorite memories were formed because of these interactions.
Dates & Prices
Additional Information:
Program Deposit
There is a non-refundable program confirmation deposit of $3,000 due upon acceptance. This deposit will be deducted from the total cost of the program. Paying the deposit secures your spot on the program.
Please note: As with all study abroad programs, you should count on a few additional expenses.
CIS Abroad reserves the right to alter fees at any time due to currency fluctuations and/or fee changes made by our partner universities.
ADVISOR TIP:
Please WAIT to book flights until you have received confirmed dates in your acceptance paperwork. Dates posted here are subject to change.
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