Laura Comey
Non-UMBC Summer Program: University of Liverpool’s School of Veterinary Science
Major: Biological Sciences
Track: Pre-Veterinary
Jump To: Pre-Departure Post, In-Country Post 1, Post 2, Post 3, Return Post
Pre-Departure Post
Hello! My name is Laura Comey, and I am a rising sophomore majoring in Biological Sciences on the pre-veterinary track. I am also a member of the Honors College and a Sondheim Public Affairs Scholar.
This summer, I will be studying abroad at the University of Liverpool’s School of Veterinary Science through a summer intensive program. This opportunity is especially meaningful to me because my long-term academic goal is to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Through this program, I will expand my knowledge of veterinary science while learning from faculty at an accredited veterinary institution. It will also provide valuable insight into what it is like to study at a veterinary school and prepare for a future career in this field. Additionally, the program will give me the opportunity to engage with professors and professionals in veterinary medicine, allowing me to explore future academic pathways and gain guidance on how to best achieve my career goals.
This program offers specialized courses that are not commonly available in the United States, including Built to Move: How Animal Skeletons and Soft Tissue Work Together, Introduction to Veterinary Cardiology: The Heart of Animal Health, and Fur and Feathers and Scales, Oh My?! A Closer Look at Diverse Species. During my time in Liverpool, I will be living in a university residence hall in a single room with access to a shared kitchen.
Since the program does not offer a group flight, I decided to arrive in England a week before the program begins so that I could explore with my family. This extra time will allow me to visit historic landmarks such as Kensington Place, the Tower of London, Windsor Castle, and many others! Having my family there to help me get settled has eased many of my concerns about navigating a new country. However, even with their support, starting a new school in a different country is still a little nerve-racking.
To help manage those nerves, I focused on staying organized and preparing ahead of time. I had three weeks between the end of finals at UMBC and my departure for England, which gave me time to relax, spend time with friends and family, and recharge after the semester. As a result, I feel refreshed and ready to take on this adventure.
Packing has been one of the most challenging parts of preparing for this trip. I spent a lot of time researching travel blogs and packing recommendations for England, which may have led to a bit of overbuying, but I am confident that everything will be useful. Fortunately, my flight allows me to bring a checked bag, a carry-on, and a personal item, so I have a little more flexibility with space. In addition to planning outfits for sightseeing and everyday activities, I also had to pack scrubs and clothing suitable for hands-on work with animals. I was told that many students end up changing clothes immediately after classes because things can get messy. So, I am grateful that laundry facilities are located near the dorms.
One thing that has already made me feel more comfortable is connecting with my future classmates. About a week ago, the program coordinators shared everyone’s email addresses and WhatsApp information. We quickly created a group chat and have already started getting to know one another. Since this program is not directly through UMBC, I am entering it without knowing anyone, so having the opportunity to connect beforehand has made me feel much more relaxed. Everyone I have talked to so far has been incredibly friendly, although I have yet to meet anyone from the East Coast!
I leave for England on June 9th at 9:30 p.m. Since England is five hours ahead, I chose a late-night flight in hopes of making the adjustment to the time difference a little easier. I am not entirely sure how I will feel when I arrive at 9:00 a.m. local time but 4:00 a.m. Eastern Time, but I guess I will find out soon enough.
I am excited to begin this journey and see where it takes me. I look forward to meeting new people, learning from experts in the veterinary field, exploring a new country, and making memories that will last a lifetime. My cat on the other hand might not be so happy to see me go considering he kept hiding in my suitcase and trying to join the study abroad program too.
– XX Laura
In-Country Post #1
Hello again! I have officially been in England a week now, although it feels much longer considering everything that has happened so far. The journey over went very smoothly, aside from one minor issue. By the time my family and I arrived at the airport and made it through TSA, almost every food location had already closed. Luckily, it worked out in the end because we arrived at McDonald’s just as they were about to close, and they had two burger meals left that they were willing to sell us.
The flight itself was about seven and a half hours long. Unfortunately, my plan to sleep on the plane failed miserably. I do not think I slept for more than an hour the entire flight. Thankfully, I was not bored. I ended up talking with the man sitting next to me and discovered that he was a UMBC alumni. We spent some of the flight discussing how the university has changed since he graduated. It was a fun reminder of just how small the world can be.
After landing, I picked up my bags and went through customs, which was much easier and faster than I had expected. From there we took the Tube, which is a subway system, to a station near our hotel. When we booked our accommodations, we intentionally chose hotels close to Tube stations to make transportation easier. Although I was exhausted, I was determined not to let jetlag get in the way of exploring London.To get acclimated to a new country I kicked off my study abroad experience with a little sightseeing with my family. On our first day, we visited Kensington Palace and its beautiful gardens. We listed to an audio tour as we walked around and learned about the history of the palace and the people who lived there. The second day was spent exploring the Tower of London. While there, I saw the Crown Jewels, toured the White Tower, and, of course said, hello to the famous ravens that guard the Tower. According to legend, if the ravens ever leave, the monarchy will fall. We also attended a tour led by a Beefeater, one of the ceremonial guardians of the Tower.
Afterwards, we took a boat ride along River Thames, which provided incredible views and fascinating historical information about many of London’s iconic landmarks. That evening, we returned to the hotel to change before dinner at The Ninth, a Michelin starred restaurant that serves French inspired Mediterranean cuisine. After dinner, we headed to the Sondheim Theatre to see Les Misérables. The musical takes place in nineteenth century France during the June Rebellion and follows the story of Jean Valjean, an ex-convict seeking redemption after breaking parole. Seeing such a famous production in London was an unforgettable experience.
The third day consisted of exploring more of London, including a visit to Notting Hill and some shopping. Later, we traveled to Windsor. After checking into our hotel, we toured Windsor Castle, which remains a working royal palace and one of King Charles III’s official residences. The castle has been home to more than forty British monarchs over the centuries.
The following day, we returned to Windsor Castle to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony. This tradition takes place on every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday and involves the guards on duty formally handing over responsibility to new guards. The ceremony includes a full military march accompanied by music, making it both impressive and entertaining to watch. After spending the afternoon in Windsor, we boarded a train and traveled to Liverpool.
My fifth day marked the official start of my study abroad program. I spent the morning exploring Liverpool and enjoying afternoon tea before move-in began at the University of Liverpool at 4:00 p.m. After checking in and receiving my key card, I walked to my room. I was not entirely sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. My room included a bed, dresser, desk, and sink, making it very similar to my dorm room back at UMBC. The biggest difference is the lack of air conditioning. As a result, I keep my window open most of the time because the room becomes quite warm and humid otherwise.
After unpacking and getting settled, I attended a welcome meeting that covered basic program information and our schedule for the next day. After the program, I went to dinner on the walk back to the dorms with a few of the girls I had met during orientation.
T
he sixth day was our Induction Day. We spent the day attending orientation sessions, campus tours, informational presentations, and technology support workshops. Afterward, several students from my program walked to a nearby shopping center to purchase essentials for our rooms, including towels, hand soap, and trash bags. We had originally been told that household starter kits containing items such as dishes and towels would be provided, but they never arrived. Every time we asked about them, we were told that the issue was being investigated. Eventually we decided to purchase the necessities ourselves so we could comfortably settle in. That evening, we attended a welcome event at a restaurant that featured bowling, table shuffleboard, pool, and karaoke.
Day seven was out first day of classes. My morning began with a walk to a cafe on campus, where I grabbed a coffee and a croissant before meeting up with my classmates and heading to class together. Our first lecture focused on anatomical terminology, and the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system in animals. After a short break, we attended a second lecture on the cardiovascular system in animals. I quickly realized just how much information will be covered in this program and how much time I am going to need to study to be successful.
Fortunately, the final class of the day made all the stress from the morning classes worthwhile. We completed a sheep heart dissection, which was an incredible hands-on learning experience. It was fascinating the see the structures of the heart up close and connect what we had learned in the morning lecture to a real specimen. After class, I went out to dinner with several students from the program. It has been an amazing first week in England and I cannot wait to see what the upcoming weeks hold.
– XX Laura
In-Country Post #2
Hello again! I have officially been in England for two weeks now, and it has definitely been crazy busy but so much fun.
Wednesday started out with our first exotic class. During class, we first discussed rodents, covering their taxonomic classification, the major groups of rodents commonly kept as pets, their key anatomical and physiological characteristics, and their basic husbandry requirements. After that, we began learning about rabbits. In this class, we covered rabbit taxonomy, commonly kept species, potential health issues related to morphology, and their key anatomical and physiological characteristics.
After class, we went over to Cuthbert’s Tea Room with our teacher. It was an amazing experience, and we got to enjoy a wide range of tea sandwiches, sweet cakes, scones, and hot tea. I got a red berry tea that I absolutely loved. After tea, I walked around the city for a bit before heading back to my dorm to study and get ready for the next day.
Thursday was a packed day with three classes. The first class was exotics, where we continued the rabbit material we did not finish in the previous class. We completed our discussion of rabbit husbandry requirements and how those relate to their anatomical and physiological features. Then we moved right into our next lesson on birds. In this section we covered the taxonomic classification of birds, what birds are commonly kept in captivity, the anatomical and physiological characteristics, and the husbandry requirements for the different species kept as pets.
After our first class we had an hour break, during which I grabbed a smoothie and sandwich from a café nearby. Our next class focused on the anatomy of the canine axial skeleton and forelimb, including the evolutionary adaptations of cursorial animals (animals adapted for running), the major bones and joints, key muscles and nerves, and anatomical terms for body and limb movements. After a thirty-minute break, we headed to our third class of the day on the canine hindlimb. We covered its evolutionary adaptations, major bones and joints, key muscles and nerves, and the anatomical terms used to describe hindlimb movement. As you can imagine, this was a very content heavy day, and after class I went straight back to my dorm to decompress.
Friday was much more interactive because we spent the day at the Chester Zoo. That morning, we all met in front of a coffee shop and got on the bus for about an hour-long ride to the zoo. For the first few hours, we went on a tour and learned more about the conservation efforts being done to support different species. One thing I found particularly interesting was learning that some species of vultures are becoming endangered because of an anti-inflammatory drug given to cattle. The drug is highly toxic to vultures, so when cattle die and vultures feed on them, the vultures are also dying. It was fascinating to see such a clear example of how interconnected ecosystems truly are.
After the tour, we had time to explore on our own and eat lunch. Later, we attended a private talk by a zoo employee, who spoke to us about the zoo’s elephants and the work that goes into creating habitats that are best for the elephants themselves, accessible for zookeepers, and still visible to the public. I found it interesting how much work goes into designing and maintaining these exhibits. After the talk, we did one more short tour of a few exhibits before heading back to the bus and returning to campus.
On Saturday, the program had a group trip to Wales. We all got on the buses early for the two-hour drive. Our first stop was Penrhyn Castle, where we went on a tour. Walking up to the castle, there were beautiful views and very cute cows that were surprisingly friendly and let you pet them. The castle tour itself was extremely informative, and we all made sure to take plenty of pictures because it was such a beautiful place.
After that, we went to a town called Betws-Y-Coed for lunch and some shopping. It had beautiful houses and a bridge with a waterfall underneath it, which made it feel incredibly picturesque. After eating lunch, shopping, and getting ice cream, we headed over to Snowdonia National Park. It was a beautiful day, so the sky was clear, and you could see so far across the landscape. It truly felt like I was in a fairy tale because it was so beautiful. After that, we got back on the bus and headed back to campus. It was one of the best days of the trip so far.
Sunday was a more relaxing day. In the morning, a group of friends and I went to a Makers Market being held at St. Luke’s Bombed Out Church, a prominent Liverpool landmark known for its history. The church was bombed during World War II and has been preserved as a memorial to the causalities of the war. At the market, there was a wide array of vendors selling artwork, baked goods, pottery, crochet pieces, and jewelry. It was a lot of fun to look around and buy a few things. The highlight of the market was the specialty croissants from one of the stands.
After the market, we walked around the city and went to Tesco, one of the local grocery stores. Once we got back to the dorms, we did the very exciting task of laundry. After everything was done and put away, our group decided to have a big family dinner at someone’s dorm. The night included watching Spain play Saudi Arabia in the World Cup, playing board games, and cooking a wide variety of food including pasta, chicken, bread, and several types of salads. To end the night, someone made blackberry cobbler, which we served with ice cream. I feel lucky that I am doing this program with so many amazing people.
On Monday, we only had one class, which was Cardiovascular. We talked about phases of the cardiac cycle, cardiac output, stroke volume, heart rate control and autonomic regulation. After class, I went straight back to my dorm because I was not feeling well. Being in a different country means being exposed to lots of different pollen, and my allergies were terrible. I ended up taking the rest of the day to rest.
On Tuesday, I woke up feeling much better, which was good because we were going to the Blue Planet Aquarium. We all meet up and took about an hour-long bus ride there. Once we arrived, we were allowed to explore on our own for an hour. Then we all meet up to watch a pelican feeding. After that, we had a private talk with one of the aquarium staff members, where we learned about sharks. We talked about different adaptions sharks have, the threats they are currently facing, and how 90% of the world’s shark populations have been wiped out. It was fascinating, but also sad, to learn about all the challenges sharks are facing. I could not believe that humans play a role in the deaths of around 100 million sharks each year.
After the talk, we had a tour of the aquarium and learned more about the animals there. Then we went over to Cheshire Oaks for a late lunch and some shopping if we wanted. After that, we headed back to campus.
Overall, it has been a very exciting and fun week, but also an extremely busy one. I cannot wait to see what happens this upcoming week and all that I will continue to learn and do!
-XX Laura
In-Country Post #3
Hello again!
I have officially been in England for three weeks now, and I will say this past week might have been the busiest but also the most fun week of my life.
Wednesday started with a musculoskeletal practical. During this practical, we examine different specimens, mainly dog forelimbs and hindlimbs, along with a few horse specimens. We identified different bones, nerves, joints, and ligaments. Looking at anatomy in textbooks and PowerPoint slides is one thing, but being able to see the structures in real life and follow their connections is a completely different learning experience. It really helped strengthen my understanding of both canine and equine anatomy.
The rest of the day was spent meeting with my groups for our upcoming presentations. Each of my three classes has a different presentation group and topic. For exotics, my group is presenting on Prairie Dogs. For cardiovascular we are presenting on Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease, a progressive degenerative disease of the mitral valve that can eventually lead to congestive heart failure. For musculoskeletal, our topic is Canine Mid-Diaphyseal Femoral Fracture. During our meetings, we discussed the presentation requirements, expectations, and divided up each person’s section. It was a very productive evening.
On Thursday we had a cardiovascular class where we learned about the pathophysiology of common cardiac diseases in dogs, the concept of a cardiac diagnostic work up, different cardiac diagnostic work ups, and different cardiac disease treatments along with their mechanisms of action. After an hour break, we had an exotics class. We spent the class learning about reptiles, including their taxonomic classification, their morphological differences between the major group, commonly kept species, key anatomical and physiological features, and basic husbandry requirements for a variety of reptiles. After class, I spent the rest of day studying since we had our first exam the next day.
Friday was the day of our first exam. I started the morning by studying in a cafe until it was time to head over to the exam room. Then I took the exam. I think the exam went well. Apparently, the turnaround time for grades is much different in the UK than the United States. We were told it could take anywhere from one to two months before we receive our grades, which means I will already be back home before I know how I did.
After our exam, we had an exotics practical, which was the perfect way to destress after a stressful morning. For the practical, Crocodile Joe came to campus with a wide variety of reptiles, including a boa constrictor that was at least 14 feet long. We started by discussing proper reptile care and husbandry before moving into reptile handling techniques. We also spent quite a bit of time talking about snake bites. Apparently, Crocodile Joe has had plenty of experience with those! One fact I never would have guessed is that the smell of mint flavored Listerine mouthwash will get a snake to release its grip if it bites someone.
After the discussion, we got to handle the reptiles he brought. There were lots of adorable snakes of all different sizes, several lizards, and, of course, the giant boa constrictor. When we went to hold the boat constrictor it took several people to safety hold the snake, and I was amazing at how calm and tolerant it was. It must have been in a very good mood that day. It was such an informative and fun session, and getting to interact with so many reptiles was the perfect way to end the academic week.
After our practical, I rushed back to my dorm to pack because, since classes ended early, a group of us had decided to spend the weekend in Edinburgh, Scotland. Around 2:00 p.m., we walked to the train station together to catch our first train. This first leg of the trip went perfectly, but about four stops into our second train, it suddenly stopped at an unfamiliar station. The conductors announced that everyone had to get off because the train had been canceled.
It turned out that the major heatwave in the UK had caused the railway tracks to become too hot. Unlike many rail systems in the United States, railway tracks in the UK are designed for a cooler climate. They are built to withstand colder winter temperatures, but during periods of extreme heat they can expand and buckle, increasing the risk of derailment. Because of this, trains were being canceled for safety reasons. Unfortunately, we had no idea this could happen when we booked our trip.
Once our train was canceled, we tried to buy new tickets at the ticket office, but the employee left just as we reached the counter. We then purchased tickets for another train to Edinburgh that was supposed to leave in 25 minutes. That 25-minute wait quickly turned into two hours because of repeated delays. Then, when the train was only ten minutes away, it was canceled as well. Looking at the departure board, we realized every remaining train to Edinburgh had also been canceled.
After discussing our options, we decided to take an Uber so we wouldn’t lose the money we had already spent on our hotel. That meant taking an Uber from England to Scotland a four-and-a-half-hour drive covering more than 200 miles! Since there were seven of us, we had to split into two separate Ubers. Thankfully, the plan worked, and we finally arrived in Edinburgh around 11:00 p.m. on Friday night. After checking into our hotel, we all went straight to bed.
Saturday was another packed day. We started with breakfast at a local cafe before walking along Victoria Street, which is famous for its colorful shopfronts. While we were exploring, we unexpectedly came across a parade. After doing a little Googling, we discovered that June 27 was Armed Forces Day in Scotland, so there were celebrations taking place throughout the city. Within the next thirty minutes, we also saw a procession of Royal Guards heading toward the Scottish Parliament because it happened to be the Opening Ceremony of the Scottish Parliament as well.
Next, we went to see Edinburgh Castle. Unfortunately, we were not able to get tickets because a special event was taking place that day, but it was still incredible to admire from the outside. We spent some time exploring the surroundings shops and picking up a few souvenirs before heading to the National Museum of Scotland. The museum had exhibits on just about every topic imaginable. I honestly think you could spend an entire week there and still not see everything. It was such a fun place to explore and learn something new. Afterward, we grabbed lunch, continued sightseeing around the city, and ended the day with dinner while watching the England vs. Panama World Cup match.
On Sunday, we woke up bright and early to hike at Swanston Farm in search of Highland cows. The hike ended up being a little longer than I expected, but it was absolutely worth it. The scenery was beautiful, and seeing the Highland cows up close was one of my favorite parts of the weekend. After the hike, we headed straight to the train station and were thankfully able to make it back to Liverpool with only minimal delays.
Monday was spent in class all day. We started with cardiovascular, where we reviewed the cardiac cycle, cardiac output, stroke volume, and autonomic regulations. Next was musculoskeletal, where we covered the functional anatomy of the hoof, horse gaits and peripheral nerve injuries. Our final class of the day was an exotics practical in the teaching suite, where we examined veterinary specimens from a variety of exotic species.
That wraps up the end of my third week in England. It has been an incredibly fun and memorable week. I cannot believe I am already nearing the end of my time here. It is crazy to think about everything I have experienced in just three weeks. I cannot wait to see what this upcoming week has in store. I am planning to enjoy every second I have left in England.
-XX Laura
Return Post
Hello again!
I can’t believe it is already my fourth and final week in England. It is crazy how fast time has flown by.
On Tuesday, we headed over to University of Liverpool’s second veterinary campus, known as the Leahurst Campus. The veterinary program is structured so that first through third year students spend most of their time at the main campus learning through lectures, practical classes, problem-based learning, and case-based learning. During their fourth and fifth years, students transition almost entirely to experiential learning at the Leahurst Campus under veterinary clinicians with teaching qualifications. They complete rotations in small animal medicine, equine medicine, farm animal medicine, exotic animal medicine, pathology, and public health. For the first part of the day, we toured the campus and its different clinics. Leahurst has facilities where veterinarians see and treat small animals, horses, farm animals, and exotics species, along with pathology laboratories. It was amazing to see just how large the campus was and how involved the students were in real clinical cases.
After lunch, we had the opportunity to participate in some hands-on learning. We started by learning how to identify injuries in horses and how to properly take radiographs, especially in field settings where safety becomes even more important. After that, we used ultrasound machines on one another to identify different blood vessels and arteries. Once we became comfortable using the equipment, we moved on to scanning a horse. We learned how to position and angle the ultrasound probe to accommodate different joints and limbs in order to obtain the clearest images possible. Of course, after all of our practice, we made sure to reward our very patient horse with plenty of treats and affection.
To finish the day, we learned more about how veterinary education in the United Kingdom differs from veterinary education in the United States, including the admissions process. A few things really surprised me, including that students in the UK can start both veterinary school and medical school right out of high school without needing a bachelor’s degree first, and how straightforward their admissions process is compared to the systems in the United States.
On Wednesday, we gave our first presentation of the week for the cardiovascular class. Our topic was Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease. The presentations went very well, and everyone’s topics were incredibly informative. I learned a lot from hearing about everyone’s research. The rest of the day was spent preparing for Thursday when we had our final exams and another presentation. Thursday began with a Clinical Skills Session where we learned several different suturing techniques and when each type should be used. We then had the opportunity to practice suturing on rubber skin. I will definitely admit that my suturing skills could use a little more practice, but it was a lot of fun getting to try it.
After the clinical session, we had an hour break before our exams, which I spent reviewing the topics I was still unsure about. Once the exams were finished, I quickly grabbed lunch at a cafe before returning for our exotic’s presentations. Our group’s assigned topic was rodents, and we chose to focus on prairie dogs. We presented on their taxonomic classification, key anatomical and physiological features, basic husbandry requirements including housing, nutrient requirements, environmental management, social needs, handling, enrichment, and common husbandry related health concerns. It was fun researching and presenting on such a unique species that is becoming increasingly popular as a pet.
After our presentation, we hurried down to the docks to catch the Mersey Ferry. The university had organized a ferry ride so we could see Liverpool from the water. Although it was incredibly windy, it was such a relaxing way to spend the afternoon. It gave me a chance to slow down for a little while and appreciate the city that has been home for the past month. After the ferry ride, I returned to my dorm and finished preparing my final presentation.
Friday was our final day of classes. We gave our musculoskeletal presentations; my group’s topic was a canine mid-diaphyseal femoral fracture. It was fascinating to see everyone’s presentations and learn about the wide variety of injuries and conditions that can affect different animal species.
After the presentations we had our graduation ceremony. It was a small ceremony with just our cohort, making it feel very personal. As we walked in, all of our instructors were there waiting for us while graduation music played. They showed several videos highlighting our time in Liverpool, which brought back so many memories and was both emotional and funny. After a few speeches, we each received our certificates. Once the ceremony ended, we took lots of pictures before writing notes to one another on blank sheets of paper, similar to signing yearbooks at the end of the school year. It was a simple activity, but one that I know I will treasure.
Afterward, I rushed back to my dorm to begin packing. Between studying for exams and preparing presentations, I had not even started to pack. Thankfully, after a few hours, I managed to fit everything into my suitcases.
That evening, a few friends and I went out to celebrate one last time. Finding a restaurant turned into quite an adventure because it was Friday night and none of us had made reservations. After trying several restaurants, we finally found a cozy Italian restaurant with an open table.
Following dinner, we headed to the outdoor terrace the university had rented for our farewell celebration. It was so nice getting to spend on last evening together before everyone returned home. The night was filled with hugs, heartful conversations, and many emotional goodbyes. When I finally got back to my dorm, I went straight to bed because my alarm was set for 5:00 a.m.
Saturday morning was a whirlwind of finishing packing, cleaning my dorm room, and making sure I had not forgotten anything before catching an Uber to the Manchester airport with two other girls from the program.
By complete coincidence, one of the girls was on the same flight from Manchester to London as I was. Having someone to travel with was comforting because the airport was initially a little confusing. We arrived around 7:00 a.m., only to realize the airline counter would not open until 7:30. In reality, it did not open until 8:30 because an employee had not yet arrived. Fortunately, once the counter opened, checking our bags and getting through security was easy.
One thing that surprised us was that Manchester Airport does not announce departure gates until about an hour before boarding. We ended up having much more free time than expected, so we explored the airport before making the twenty-minute walk to our gate.
The flight to London was only about an hour long. Once I arrived, I collected my luggage, rechecked my bags for my international flight, and went back through security. Other than a few small delays with my baggage tag printing everything went smoothly. I grabbed lunch and waited until my gate was announced before making another long journey across the airport, which even included having to ride a train.
The flight home was scheduled to take about eight and a half hours. For the most part, everything went well. I had a window seat, the food was surprisingly good, and the flight was uneventful.
Then, just as we were about the land in Baltimore, everything changed.
We were told that because of severe thunderstorms, we could not land and would have to circle the airport. After about twenty minutes, the captain announced that we were being diverted to Philadelphia because Baltimore was temporarily unavailable.
We landed in Philadelphia expecting to wait briefly before continuing to Baltimore. Unfortunately, the same storm eventually reached Philadelphia. We sat on the plane for hours with no air conditioning, no way to charge our phones, no in-flight entertainment, and eventually no food or drinks left.
Just as we were finally preparing to leave for Baltimore, another passenger experienced a panic attach and forced open one of the aircraft doors. Because the aircraft seal had been broken, the plane could no longer continue to Baltimore. Instead, everyone had to deplane in Philadelphia and go through customs there.
After another long wait, we finally reached the terminal. My dad had been following everything that was happening and decided he no longer trusted the airline to get me home. Instead, he drove all the way to Philadelphia to pick me up.
Going through customs was actually very quick since the airport was closed and we had a police escort to customs. However, because the airport was closed it took a while to get our luggage. By the time I finally collected my suitcase, my dad had already arrived.
I am incredibly grateful he came to get me because many other passengers were being told to rent cars and find nearby hotel rooms even though the airline said they would provide bus transportation to Baltimore. Additionally, the problem with finding a hotel nearby was that France and Paraguay were playing in the World Cup in Philadelphia that evening, so it was nearly impossible to find a hotel close by.
We finally made it home around 3:30 a.m. By that point, I had been awake for well over twenty-four hours and was completely exhausted.
Despite my unforgettable journey home, this study abroad experience has been one of the best experiences of my life. I learned an incredible amount, both inside and outside the classroom, and I was fortunate to be surrounding by amazing classmates and faculty who shares the same passion for veterinary medicine as I do.
Most importantly, this experience confirmed that become a veterinarian is more than just a dream, it is a career I can truly see myself pursuing. Seeing what veterinary school is like, learning from incredible faculty, and gaining hands-on experience gave me confidence that this is a goal I can accomplish. I will always be grateful for everything I learned and everyone I met during my time in England.
-XX Laura