Veterinary medicine exchange in England for young people: is it worth it?

Working with animals is a dream that many young people have carried since childhood. But turning that dream into a real career requires more than love for animals. It requires practical experience, recognized certifications, and clarity about which path to follow within such a broad field.

The question that arises at 16 or 17 years old is: does investing in an intensive program abroad really make a difference? Or can you get the same experience in other ways?

‍

What makes the difference: real experience versus theory

You can read 50 veterinary books, watch hundreds of videos on YouTube and still not understand what it's really like to work in the field. The difference between theoretical and practical knowledge occurs when you are in front of an animal, you have to make quick decisions and you feel the responsibility in your hands.

What intensive programs deliver:

• Daily work with real animals, not simulations
• Active participation in diagnoses under professional supervision
• Exposure to multiple specialties (small animals, farms, horses)
• Internationally recognized official certification
• Mentoring from experienced veterinarians who share the reality of the profession

The truth is that obtaining this type of access at the age of 16 is extremely difficult in normal environments. Local clinics rarely accept minors for insurance and liability reasons. When they accept, you are generally watching from afar, without actively participating.

Structured programs abroad break down those barriers. You have guaranteed access, specialized supervision, and an environment designed specifically for practical adolescent learning.

‍

When this investment makes perfect sense

There are times in life when an opportunity comes at the perfect time. For young people interested in veterinary medicine, this time is usually between 15 and 17 years old.

You're at the right time if:

• She has been thinking about veterinary medicine for years but has never had the chance to test it in practice
• Do you want to apply to competitive universities that require work experience?
• You need to decide between different specialties (small animals, farm, equines, wildlife)
• Do you consider studying abroad but want to try living in another country before committing?
• Look for something that really differentiates you in future selection processes

The difference is not only in the certificate you receive. It's in the real stories you get to tell in college interviews. “I participated in the diagnosis of a respiratory infection in a horse and learned to identify abnormal sounds in lung auscultation” sounds completely different from “I like animals a lot and I always wanted to be a veterinarian”.

Practical experience transforms your discourse from aspirational to concrete. And that changes everything.

‍

The Power of Full Immersion

Two weeks seems like a short time. But when you're 100% immersed in something, without distractions from the normal routine, learning accelerates dramatically.

Think about the difference between studying English one hour a week for years versus living in an English-speaking country for a month. The second option compresses years of fragmented learning into concentrated experience.

How immersion in a veterinary program works:

• You wake up thinking about animals and go to sleep after discussing clinical cases
• Breakfast conversations are about procedures that you are going to perform that day
• Roommates are also in love with the area, creating a mutually supportive environment
• There's no “switch off” from the topic because you're living and breathing veterinary 24/7

That intensity creates transformation that weekend programs never achieve. You develop intuition, gain confidence, and internalize knowledge in a profound way.

In addition, living in Boarding school develops real independence. You manage your time, solve problems on your own, and live with people from completely different cultures. These skills are as valuable as veterinary technical knowledge.

‍

Certification that opens real doors

Stamped paper may seem like a detail, but it makes a huge difference when you're competing for places at top universities.

British universities such as Cambridge, Edinburgh, and Royal Veterinary College don't just accept “informal experience” with animals. They want official documentation, signed by registered professionals, detailing the hours and activities carried out.

What you get in the end:

• Certificate of completion of the program with details of the workload
• Animal First Aid Course qualification recognized in the UK
• Reference letter signed by a veterinarian with professional registration
• Log book documenting each procedure you participated in
• Photographic portfolio of practical activities

This documentation doesn't just apply to British universities. Institutions in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada recognize British work experience. Even for universities that don't formally require it, having this in your curriculum sets you apart from 99% of other candidates.

It's the difference between saying “I'm interested in veterinary medicine” and proving “I've worked actively in the field and I have certifications to prove it”.

‍

Find out what you really want

Perhaps the greatest value of the program is not what you learn, but what you discover about yourself.

Many young people idealize veterinary medicine based on experiences with pets at home. They love their dogs and cats and imagine that working with animals will always be rewarding. But the professional reality is quite different.

Common findings during the program:

• You may love small animals but discover which big animals excite you the most
• You may notice that you prefer the calm pace of preventive clinics to the stress of emergencies.
• You may fall in love with veterinary physiotherapy, an area you didn't even know existed
• You may discover that the scientific aspect (research, pathology) interests you more than the clinical aspect

These discoveries at age 16 are pure gold. They save you from entering an expensive five-year degree only to realize in the third year that you chose the wrong specialization.

I met young people who came to the program thinking they wanted to be urban pet veterinarians and returned determined to work with racehorses. Others who were certain about the clinic and discovered a passion for animal nutrition research.

Redirection isn't a failure. It's clarity gained at the right time.

‍

What differentiates excellent programs from average

Not every program that promises “veterinary expertise” delivers real value. There are fundamental differences between serious initiatives and undercover sightseeing tours.

Features of high-level programs:

• Own campus with dedicated facilities (farm, equestrian center, clinic)
• Veterinarians registered on the permanent staff, not just visiting speakers
• Small groups (maximum 25 participants) ensuring individualized attention
• Structured curriculum with clear skill progression
• Official certifications recognized by regulatory bodies

The Abbotsholme School program, for example, takes place on a 140-acre campus with an actual operating farm. This means that the animals are there every day, there's no dependency on “scheduled visits” to outside locations that can cancel.

You can work with cattle in the morning, horses in the afternoon, and small animals in the evening. All in the same place, with continuous learning and the possibility of following cases for several days in a row.

‍

University preparation that makes a difference

Having work experience is essential, but knowing how to present it is equally important.

Many young people accumulate incredible experiences but stumble upon university interviews because they don't know how to articulate what they've learned. They answer questions in a vague, generic way, without showing deep reflection on their experiences.

How good programs prepare you:

• Specific sessions on how to write personal statements for veterinary courses
• Mock interviews with detailed feedback on your answers
• Guidance on differences between university programs (veterinary medicine, nursing, physiotherapy)
• Networking with professionals working in university admissions

These sessions transform raw experience into compelling narrative. You learn to connect each practical activity to competencies that universities value. Learn to demonstrate maturity, critical thinking, and genuine commitment to the area.

For teens who plan to follow vocational programs or specific careers, this ability to articulate experiences is transferable to any future selection process.

‍

Networking that starts at 16

Professional connections don't have to wait until college. International programs create networks that last for years.

You will spend two weeks with other 20-25 young people who are equally passionate about veterinary medicine, coming from 10-15 different countries. Some will study in Cambridge, others in Melbourne, others in Toronto. Five years from now, when you're looking for an international internship or thinking about graduate school, these connections become real opportunities.

Relationships that form:

• Flatmates who became long-distance friends
• Veterinary mentors who continue to answer questions via email
• Contacts at international universities through alumni
• Global community of young veterinarians maintained via social networks

One participant told me that he got a summer internship at an equestrian clinic in Ireland three years after the program, because a colleague he met at Abbotsholme was interning there and recommended him directly.

Those doors open because you built a genuine relationship, not because you sent a cold resume to strangers.

‍

England as a strategic destination

You could do similar experiences in other countries. Why specifically England?

The United Kingdom is the birthplace of modern veterinary medicine. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, founded in 1844, established standards that the entire world still follows. British universities dominate global rankings in the area.

Destination-specific benefits:

• Extremely strict regulatory standards guarantee quality
• British certifications have immediate global recognition
• Academic British English (essential for future scientific publications)
• Proximity to Europe makes it easy to explore multiple cultures
• Boarding school tradition offers structure and safety for teenagers

Getting experience in the same country that houses Cambridge, Edinburgh, and Royal Veterinary College creates familiarity with the British education system. If you decide to apply to these universities later, you are already familiar with the teaching style, academic expectations, and institutional culture.

For young people considering exchange for teenagers more broadly, England offers a unique combination of academic rigor and pastoral support.

‍

What to do with the experience later

The program ends, you return home with certificates and incredible memories. And now?

How you use that experience over the next 12-18 months determines your real return on investment.

Post-program strategic actions:

1. Incorporate concrete experiences into all your university application materials
2. Seek local opportunities to continue developing skills
3. Maintain active contact with mentors and colleagues from the program
4. Consider the second specialized program if the first one confirmed the vocation
5. Share learning at school through presentations or articles

Young people who maximize value are those who transform two weeks into a consistent narrative over the years. They don't let the experience “cool” in the drawer. They use every opportunity to connect what they experienced with next steps on the journey.

Some former participants created veterinary science clubs in their schools. Others started volunteering at animal protection NGOs using skills learned in the program. Still others wrote articles for local newspapers about the experience, developing scientific communication.

‍

Complementary alternatives to broaden horizons

Veterinary experience is fantastic, but it doesn't have to be the only international one you seek.

Many young people build diverse portfolios over 2-3 years. A specialized summer program, combined with other experiences, creates a much richer profile than just an isolated activity.

Complementary paths:

• Medical program in Toronto For those who consider human medicine too
• College with co-op in Canada to combine study and work after high school
• Leadership programs to develop management skills
• Full high school abroad for full immersion for one year

The smartest strategy is to start with short, intensive experiences (2-4 weeks) to test adaptability. If you do well, you can move on to larger commitments such as a semester or full year away.

Each experience builds on the previous one, creating a coherent trajectory that universities love to see in candidates.

‍

FAQ about veterinary programs abroad

1. How much time in advance do I need to plan? Ideally 6-8 months in advance. Good programs fill vacancies quickly, especially for July dates. The process includes formal application, document review, and sometimes video interview. Leaving it to the last minute narrows down your options.
2. Do I need to have previous experience with animals? It's not mandatory. The program is open to complete beginners and those who already have some experience. The first few days include basic safety and driving training. What matters is genuine interest and willingness to learn.
3. Can I do the program more than once? Yes, many young people return to advanced levels. The second participation generally focuses more on specific university preparation and advanced techniques. Some do it at 15-16 and return at 17 with more refined goals.
4. Does the certificate apply to universities in my country? It depends on local requirements. Brazilian universities do not require formal work experience, but value scholarship processes. For international universities (UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand), the certificate is officially recognized. Always confirm specific requirements of the intended institutions.
5. What if I find out that I don't want to go to veterinary medicine? That's not a failure, it's a valuable discovery. Better to realize at 16 that the field isn't for you than in the middle of an expensive degree. The international experience, certifications, and skills developed continue to add value to your profile for any career in science.

‍

Be Easy

Transforming interest in veterinary medicine into a concrete international experience requires more than will. It requires strategic planning, choosing programs with real credibility, and support at every stage of the journey. Be Easy works precisely in this space, connecting young people to opportunities that truly transform academic and professional trajectories. Contact us and find out how we can help you take that next step safely and clearly.