Trip of a Lifetime

Landon McQuilliams Start Date: Jan 15, 2017 - End Date: May 14, 2017
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Volunteer Trip
  • South Africa

My Travel Story

by: Landon McQuilliams Start Date: Jan 15, 2017 - End Date: May 14, 2017
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Volunteer Trip
Hello friends and family!

As many of you know, I am in the last year of my veterinary education at Kansas State University. In less than 5 months I will officially be a doctor of veterinary medicine! I'm probably equal parts excited and terrified for this next step in my career path, but I am looking forward to getting into practice and gaining some experience. Just to give everybody a brief overview of fourth year, we all have scheduled rotations throughout the year that run for usually 2-3 weeks. We all get up to 7 weeks of vacation for externships, breaks, interviews, etc. My last vacation slot is a 2 week period from March 27th to April 7th. During this time I decided to do something that I have always wanted to do: go to Africa.

Earlier last year, we received an email from a veterinarian about externship possibilities with a volunteer program out of South Africa. I looked into the programs they offer, and was excited to see one titled "Volunteering with Big Cats." I have always had an interest in zoo medicine, and have over 10 years of experience at the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita. Ultimately my ideal job would be as a zoo veterinarian. I have also always been interested in exotic cats, which is why I chose this specific program. I feel like this opportunity will help to further my knowledge and understanding of not only exotic feline species, but other exotic species as well.

I'm sure you have guessed by now that a trip such as this does not come cheap. You would be right, and that is why I'm making this page. The price for the two weeks in South Africa is $1,830. This includes housing, food, excursions, airport transfers, laundry, etc. The only thing not included in this price is air fare.

Obviously I don't expect to raise the full amount through this page, but any help is greatly appreciated.
  • South Africa