Academics

International and Studies Abroad Programs

Students at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine have several opportunities for international educational opportunities outside the United States. Planned programs include elective courses with academic credit, research experience, externships and university exchange collaboratives. In addition, many educational opportunities arise throughout a students the year for students.

Belize Zoo Rotation

Led by Dr. Andrew Cushing, this 2-week rotation exposes clinical veterinary students to wildlife and zoological cases beyond what is offered through rotations in the exotics clinic and the zoological service on site at UTCVM. Students spend time at the Belize Zoo, which is a small-medium-sized zoo that houses native wildlife of various taxa, including primates, felids, birds and reptiles. Students also work with local rehabilitation or wildlife rescue facilities, including the Belize Bird Rescue, as needed. Students are involved with all aspects of case management (anesthesia, surgery, medical care and follow up), as well as record keeping, prescribing, and in-house laboratory work. Upon completion of the course, students will complete a case report for one of the cases seen during the rotation. Estimated total cost for flight, lodging, transportation, and meals in 2019 was $1,365.

Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic

Wildlife Institute

Also available as a non-CVM program via the Wildlife Institute Summer Veterinary Experience.

Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany

Research and clinical exposure summer program led by Dr. Juergen Schumacher.

Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Tokyo, Japan

Sister university exchange program led by Dr. Claudia Kirk.

Rural Veterinary Medicine Abroad–Argentina

Led by Dr. Ricardo Videla, this 2-week externship opportunity allows students to work with a rural veterinarian in Argentina. Specifically, this course will expose senior veterinary students to the challenges associated with practicing veterinary medicine in a rural, under-served community in a foreign country. Students will be able to practice hands-on skills in small and large animal species. In order to gain more acceptance into the communities where students will be working, this externship will also emphasize the importance of understanding cultural differences. To better prepare for the trip, enrolled students will be required to complete online modules or classroom sessions as an introduction to the culture of the community and the animal diseases that are more prevalent in the area. Students are assessed based on their participation and engagement, as well as completion of assignments, such as online modules, quizzes, and/or a final reflective statement.

Swine Production in Italy

Coordinated by Dr. Luca Giori, this elective familiarizes students with the unique aspects of Italian heavy pig production. It is a full immersion exposure to all aspects of commercial Italian heavy pig production (specifically for the production of the “prosciutto di Parma DOPG”) in several farrow-to-finish facilities. Students will work with different swine veterinarians involved in multiple production phases (farm consults and emergencies, pig flow management and swine nutrition, breeding and parturition [C-sections], vaccinations, surgery [inguinal herniation, cryptorchidism], measurement of BCS and subcutaneous pork fat, monitoring and analysis of animals in the slaughtering process). Suivet performs clinical trials for pharmaceutical industries (such as Merial and Elanco). Students will be actively involved in a research project.

Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Summer Scholars Program

The Veterinary Summer Scholars Program sometimes has international opportunities for pre-clinical students. These experiences are dependent on placement with a research mentor who has an available international program.