This program is designed to give pre-veterinary students an in-depth look at veterinary medicine in Zimbabwe, emphasizing the distinctions between small animal, large animal, and wildlife practices. After experiencing small and large animal practices in Zimbabwe’s developing economy, participants will travel to Hwange, Gweru, and Victoria Falls to study wildlife management and conservation through lectures, conversations, and direct observations of skilled field guides, rangers, conservationists, veterinarians, and wildlife researchers. Students will be encouraged to embrace holistic approaches to animal care that promote ecosystem health and foster a harmonious balance between humans and nature. In addition to these experiences, participants will enroll in VPHY 4950 (Special Topics in Biomedical Physiology) for 3-credit hours.

PROGRAM APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN ON MONDAY, AUGUST 26th, 2024

This program runs from June 7 – June 24, 2025.

Please note that you need to double check with your college that they have approved this activity for Experiential Learning Credit on engage.uga.edu. If you do not see this listed, speak with your academic advisor to confirm whether or not this program will count for EL.

This course focuses on veterinary medicine in the context of animal physiology. The course will integrate the program’s experiential learning elements through didactic and hands-on sessions. Participants will learn about various animals’ natural environment, the impact of the human environment on natural habitats, and how understanding physiology is integral to veterinary care.

Participants will identify how treatments vary in three separate locations and with different species based on animal physiology. They will also have the opportunity to practice professional communication skills in three distinct settings. They will understand veterinary medicine in the context of non-profit organizations and international standards of animal care while exploring the impact of veterinary care on animals in Zimbabwe and the influence of conservation impacting animal habitats and environments.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • Program participants will be required to attend pre-departure orientations and academic meetings in the Spring semester.
  • Students applying for this program are eligible to apply for the OGE GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP.

Itinerary – Tentative

Program Dates: June 7 – June 24, 2025 (Arrival in Zimbabwe June 9th – Arrival in the US June 24th or 25th depending on flight)

DATE

AGENDA

LOCATION

Sunday, June 9th

Arrival EDU Africa, Orientation, Welcome Dinner

Harare

Monday, June 10th

VAWZ Engagement, Harare SPCA

Harare

Tuesday, June 11th

Transfer to Antelope Park, AP Induction and Orientation

Harare-Hwange

Wednesday, June 12th

Vet programming with Dr. Nedi Reflection

Hwange

Thursday, June 13

Veterinary Programming with Dr. Nedi

Hwange

Friday, June 14th

Veterinary Programming with Dr. Gumbo

Hwange

Saturday, June 15th

Veterinary Programming with Dr. Gumbo, Antelope Park Reflection Session

Hwange

Sunday, June 16th

Travel to Hwange, Bush Orientation, Half Day Hwange Game Drive

Hwange-Gweru

Monday, June 17th

Dete Animal Rescue Trust (DART), Reflection Session

Gweru

Tuesday, June 18th

Painted Dog Conservancy, Travel to Victoria Falls, Vic Falls Viewing, VFWH Orientation and Programming

Hwange-Victoria Falls

Wednesday, June 19th

VFWH Rotations incl. workshop on darting and capturing wildlife, human wildlife conflict, lion & hyena enrichment

Victoria Falls

Thursday, June 20th

Veterinary programming with CARE, Reflection Session

Victoria Falls

Friday, June 21st

Transformation Questionnaire 2 & Feedback, Boma Dinner and Drum Performance

Victoria Falls

Saturday, June 22nd

Chobe Day Safari, Braai Dinner

Victoria Falls

Sunday, June 23rd

Final Reflection, Depart Victoria Falls

Depart Victoria Falls

General Information

Program Dates: June 7, 2025 – June 24, 2025
Estimated Program Fee: Program cost coming soon (includes lodging, breakfast, several lunches and dinners, program-related transportation, and entrance fees for program-related academic and cultural activities). It does not include plane fare, UGA tuition or UGA fees. Prices will vary depending on enrollment but should not exceed the current estimated program fee. Click here for more details.
Application Opens: August 26, 2024
Application Deadline: October 27, 2024
Program Contacts: Ms. Amanda Spohn ([email protected]) and Dr. Hilda Mata ([email protected])

  • Open to all students at the University of Georgia.
  • REQUIRED:
    • Students must have completed or be enrolled in BIOL 1108/L by the time of application. BIOL 1108/L is a prereq for the courses taught in the program.
    • Have university credit for at least two science courses (in biological sciences, chemistry, ecology, physics / astronomy) prior to application.
    • 3.0 or higher GPA.
    • Satisfactory academic and disciplinary records.
  • PREFERRED:
    • Qualified students enrolled with a pre-veterinary intention will be given priority.
    • Successfully completed at least two sciences courses at UGA (in biological sciences, chemistry, ecology, physics / astronomy) for a grade (A-F).
    • Successfully completed at least 30 credit hours at UGA prior to application.
  • Begin an application on the studyaway.uga.edu portal. Only application completed by 10/27/24 will be considered.
  • Qualified applicants will be invited (via UGA email) for a brief interview with the program faculty. Please note that an interview does not guarantee admittance into the program due to the limited number of spaces. Interviews, however, are a mandatory part of the selection process.
  • Once applicants are interviewed, they will be notified via their studyaway.uga.edu application portal whether they have been admitted or waitlisted.
  • Admitted students will have 10 days from the date of acceptance to commit (or withdraw / decline) and pay a non-refundable $300 deposit. Waitlisted students will be admitted as spaces become available.

Headshot of Paul Eubig.
Dr. Paul Eubig, DVM, PhD.
Director of the Biomedical Physiology Undergraduate Program
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology
College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Georgia

Headshot of Amanda Spohn
Amanda Spohn. M.Ed
Coordinator
Pre-Professional Advising Office
University of Georgia

Google Maps screenshot with pins on different locations of Zimbabwe.