Clinical rotation at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine

 

 

Written testimonial by "Tina", Veterinary Medicine student at LIFE.

 

"I went to the University of Wisconsin to take part of their Equine Clinical rotations.

The clinical rotation was four weeks; I spent two of these weeks at the Morrie Waud Equine Clinic, a center which is affiliated with the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine. The other two weeks I spent at the clinic in the veterinary school where I was part of the 4^th year students rotation of Large Animal Internal Medicine.

 

The Morrie Waud Equine Clinic was located in a small city called Delavan, about an hour from the School of Veterinary Medicine in Madison. This clinic had a veterinarian who was doing her internship at their practice, and I followed her schedule. We started at 7 in the morning doing examinations on all the patients followed by all the morning treatments. We spent the day with the doctors doing whatever was on the schedule for that day, lameness examinations, emergency cases, emergency or elective surgeries. At 5 pm the doctors and veterinary technicians went home for the day and me and Dr Divya (Intern) was responsible for treatments at 7pm, 11 pm and if there were patients needing care after this, we were also responsible for this. There were many working hours a day, but I really feel that I learned a lot from the doctors at the hospital, and also from the hours where I was responsible.

Working with an intern was great; she hadn’t graduated from veterinary school too long ago, so she knew exactly what questions to ask me to make me think and learn as much as possible. It was great getting to see what she learned in school, and during slow hours she would teach me many things for example ultra sounding in a way that I never learned it at home.

 

When I joined the 4^th year students and their rotation in Large Animal Internal Medicine at the Veterinary School I got my own patients that were my responsibility. The difference from the rotations at home is that I was now responsible for greeting the client and patient when they got to the hospital; I took history, did the primary examination and was part of the whole workout of the patient. There were tons of paperwork which at first was overwhelming, but after a few days I was very grateful for learning to write all the legal documents. We had rounds every morning where we presented our patients and it was really good to hear what was going on with all the other patients.

During the 2 weeks I was at the clinic there were five other students in my group. There was one responsible clinician each week and two residents who worked with us students all days. These residents really taught me a lot and they never “gave things away”, but really made you think.

A few times a week, us 6 students and the 2 residents sat down and had discussions about subjects that came up during the week, for example laminitis, vaccinations or how to treat an emergency colic horse. They taught me so much during these weeks and I wish Copenhagen would consider using the same system with fewer students and more residents.

 

I had great experiences from both clinics. I went to Wisconsin with the mindset of having to work really hard and learn a lot, and I think this helped me getting a really good experience.

 

"The hours were long, the 9am to 5pm that we had in Copenhagen does not exist and at times I was exhausted. BUT, in the end I am so thankful for it being this way, because would it have been any other way I wouldn’t have gained as much knowledge as I did now."

 

The Morrie Waud Equine clinic had a room at the clinic where I stayed for free for the two weeks. It was a pretty simple room in the basement with just a bed and not so much more but it definitely served its purpose. When I later on moved to join the Large Animal Internal Medicine Rotation at the Veterinary School, I stayed with a local 2^nd year veterinary student.

This as well was very basic, but it was great having another student there to help me getting settled and show me where to go etc.

I had an amazing time at my stay in Wisconsin, but I just want future students to be aware and be ok with a few things if they decide to go.

 

"The four weeks are about working and learning. There won’t be too much spare time, and if you want to see America make sure you plan time before or after the rotation for this so you don’t try to fit it in during the stay. I worked pretty much every weekend; it was what was expected and how I wanted it."

 

The room at the Morrie Waud Equine Clinic is very basic, and you do need to rent a car to get around which cost me about 3400 DKK. I payed 175 USD for sleeping on the couch for the 2 weeks in Madison, and if you prefer having your own room you may need to spend more money than that. I didn’t bring or buy any literature, at the Morrie Waud Clinic. I borrowed books from one of the doctors and at the Veterinary School there was a great library."

 

"If you are willing to work hard, learn a lot and get an experience for life, I definitely recommend going to the University of Wisconsin."

 

  

Estimated overview of Tina's budget: 

 

Flights: 8100 DKK

 

Bus and train to Madison: 365 DKK

 

VISA: Sevis fee 1075 DKK (Only relevant to non-danish citizens.)

 

New Passport: 340 DKK

 

Visa pictures: 255 DKK (Only relevant to non-danish citizens.)

 

VISA appointment: 830 DKK (Only relevant to non-danish citizens.)

 

Ticket to the American embassy Stockholm: 1265 DKK (Only relevant to non-danish citizens.)

 

GM Ship insurance: 2565 DKK

 

Living with a student: 1075 DKK

 

Car rental (Morrie Waud): 3400 DKK

 

Total: 19270 DKK, (food and personal costs not included.)

 

Scholarships: 

 

I got 2 x 6000DKK when I applied for ”internationaliseringsstipendium”.

 

 

Contact information:

 

Feel free to contact Tina at  if you have any questions regarding her stay at Winsconsin University.

 

If you have generel questions about studying abroad, please contact the