Why Study at a Caribbean Veterinary School?
Gabriel Garcia Marquez once wrote that Caribbean reality resembles the wildest imagination. Caribbean vet schools’ great appeal goes beyond just the breathtaking scenery and superb student life.
There are three vet schools in the Caribbean to consider when deciding where you would like to start your journey to becoming a vet.
The Requirements and Standards of Caribbean Vet Schools
Vet schools in the Caribbean need to adhere to an official list of DVM program criteria set out by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education. The AVMA COE assesses veterinary schools outside the US on the same standards as those within the country.
A list of predefined criteria allows the AVMA to evaluate a university’s facilities, clinical resources, curriculum, faculty, student outcomes, and research programs.
Suppose a university becomes accredited by the AVMA. In that case, a student may rest assured that the school undergoes regular monitoring and reviews to meet the standards set by the AVMA for DVM programs.
The AMVA requires a few essential standards for a program to remain accredited, and a few of those standards are listed below:
- At the time of graduation, a minimum of eighty percent of the university’s veterinary students must pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE).
- The university must uphold the safety of students and staff at all times.
- The university needs a campus-based veterinary teaching hospital.
- The caseload for students must contain a diverse number of animal patients.
- The university’s admission policies need to be non-discriminatory and inclusive.
Two of the three vet schools in the Caribbean have AVMA accreditation. The one vet school not accredited by the AVMA is listed. Students can gain NAVLE certification from a listed university through the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) or the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE).
Students from Caribbean veterinary schools require proficiency in the following AVMA-COE competencies after their clinical years to achieve their DVM degree:
- Comprehensive patient diagnosis, appropriate use of diagnostic testing, and record management
- Comprehensive treatment planning, including patient referral when indicated
- Anesthesia and pain management, patient welfare
- Basic surgery skills and case management
- Basic medicine skills and case management
- Emergency and intensive care case management
- Understanding health promotion and biosecurity, prevention and control of disease including zoonoses, and food safety principles
- Ethical and professional conduct; communication skills, including those that demonstrate an understanding and sensitivity to how clients’ diversity and individual circumstances can impact health care
- Critical analysis of new information and research findings relevant to veterinary medicine
Examples of Caribbean Vet School Programs
If studying for an exciting degree in a tropical paradise is your idea of a dream come true, then these Caribbean veterinary schools need to feature on your university application list.
The top three Caribbean vet schools include Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Saint George’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and Saint Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine.
An Overview of Our Favorite Caribbean Vet Schools
Prospective applicants can find vet schools in Caribbean regions of the Americas spread out on three different islands. Here’s a look at our top picks if you are considering international veterinary schools in this region.
St. Kitts & Nevis
Ross University of Veterinary Medicine
The veterinary program at Ross University has been AVMA accredited since 2011, and over 6,000 veterinarians have graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). The high-tech campus boasts rolling admissions starting in January, May, or September.
The Ross DVM curriculum aims to prepare students for a successful career through a dynamic learning experience focusing on clinical communication skills, experiential learning, and innovative instructional technology.
The average class size at RUSVM consists of around 120 to 145 students.
The on-campus teaching hospital cares for both large and small animals. Students with a passion for exotic medicine can enjoy the aviary filled with birds or visit the campus tortoises.
Faculty members and students sharing a passion for research can advance their interests in the recently added pathology and research buildings that house eight laboratories.
From 2020 to 2021, Ross University had an 83% pass rate for the NAVLE.
The History of the Ross University of Veterinary Medicine
Entrepreneur Robert Ross founded the St. Kitts vet school in 1982. The original vet school started in Dominica but was relocated to St Kitts due to political instability and the risk of hurricane damage, according to Dr. Bobby G. Brown, Ross vet school’s first dean.
The construction of two buildings in Basseterre started in 1983 and included a laboratory, clinic, and lecture rooms. The students were transferred from Dominica to St. Kitts upon the university’s completion.
Location
The dual-island nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis lies between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The island of Saint Kitts has its dormant volcano, Mount Liamuiga. The beautiful beaches, rainforests, crater lakes, and mountains make this island unique, especially for avid hikers.
World ranking
RUSVM is 412th in the world’s veterinary university ranks.
Some readers may wonder,” is Ross University a good vet school?”. Prospective applicants can find the best avenue to judge student experiences through Ross Veterinary School reviews written by students. These reviews are available on the university website, blogs, or foreign veterinary graduates’ forums.
Admission Requirements
RUSVM applies a holistic approach to admissions. Undergraduate courses, field experience, academic transcripts, and personal essays undergo an assessment by the admissions committee to identify ideal candidates for the DVM degree.
Listed below are some of the minimum requirements:
- Students ideally need an average cumulative GPA of 3.2.
- Recommendations include completing undergraduate coursework with a minimum of 48 credits of college work at the time of application.
- Grades of C or better in all prerequisite coursework with the additional stipulation that all completed coursework occurred within ten years of the desired semester start date.
- At least 150 hours of veterinary professional experience or research under a practicing veterinarian
- Competency in English or proof of English proficiency if the undergraduate degree is not in English.
- GRE scores for students applying for the 2023 semester are no longer a requirement for a complete application.
Courses Offered at Ross University of Veterinary Medicine
The DVM degree is one of a few courses offered at Ross University, and if you are looking for a degree with a difference, RUSVM has a few additional options.
The DVM MSC Dual Degree combines the DVM degree with a Master’s by Research. The university has four research centers to support its commitment to high-quality research focused on emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases, conservation medicine, and ecosystem health.
Research programs offer MSc and Ph.D. opportunities for students who want to invest in their academic advancement. Research centers at RUSVM include
- One Health Center for Zoonoses & Tropical Veterinary Medicine
- Center for Integrative Mammalian Research
- Center for Conservation Medicine & Ecosystem Health
- Center for Research & Innovation in Veterinary & Medical Education
Course Length
The DVM course is considered an accelerated curriculum that students complete within 3.25 years. The course consists of ten semesters. Students spend their first seven semesters at the St. Kitts campus to finish the 128.5 semester credit hours.
The last three semesters take place at an AVMA-accredited school to complete the clinical curriculum. Students can complete the final year at one of the twenty-eight affiliated vet schools in the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland.
To be eligible for graduation, students must complete 45 weeks of evaluated and supervised clinical work at an affiliated school. The core rotations equate to 20 weeks of the clinical curriculum. Students independently assign the remaining 25 weeks to externships and electives of their own choice.
Students must cover clinical work in the following fields:
- Small-Animal Medicine to explore preventive or primary health care and community practice.
- Small-Animal Surgery.
- Medical Service disciplines, including anesthesiology and diagnostic imaging
- Diagnostic Pathology with clinicians that cover clinical pathology, parasitology, microbiology, and necropsy services
- Large-Animal Medicine in either the Food Animal or Equine Medicine and Surgery field. The rotation must include ambulatory services and theriogenology.
Elective evaluation and externships allow students to focus on areas of preferred veterinary specialties beyond the core curriculum. These opportunities enable students to explore veterinary medical interests under a qualified person with a DVM or Ph.D.
Electives and externships in the following fields are available to students:
- Private or specialty practice.
- Diagnostic laboratories.
- Research.
- Zoo, exotic, or lab animal medicine.
- Alternative medicine.
- Federal or state service.
- Industry positions.
RUSVM awards a DVM degree upon the successful completion of the ten semesters of the pre-clinical and clinical DVM curriculum.
Student Life at Ross University of Veterinary Medicine
St. Kitts is a melting pot of cultures, and the island community boasts a rich history that ebbs and flows through the lush forests, unspoiled beaches, and mountains. Students from all over the world come to study at Ross University, and the island offers much to enrich any student’s university experience.
The Brimstone Hill Fortress National park is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The British fortress dates back to 1689 and is only a few miles up the coast from the Ross Vet campus.
Scenic rail or zip-line tours are also very popular amongst students, and for the more adventurous individuals, the volcano hike offers a challenging trail up to the peak.
Ross Vet students are encouraged to join various clubs and organizations to connect with fellow students and local community members. Significant island events include marathons, triathlons, and hashes (social club runs).
The Very Important Partner (VIP) Club is a support and social group for spouses, partners, and significant others of students attending Ross Vet.
St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine
St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine (SGU) runs a state-of-the-art faculty with an AVMA-accredited program. The university has over 30 clinical affiliations with other vet schools abroad. SGU has produced over 2,100 veterinarians since its establishment in 1999.
SGU integrates theory and clinical practice through simulation models and case-based training. Innovative technology and intimate small-group learning opportunities set SGU apart from other universities.
St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine holds another ace up its sleeve. They are one of the few vet schools in the world accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA COE) in the United States and Canada, as well as the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in the United Kingdom.
The SGUSVM Small Animal Clinic is one of only two animal clinics outside the US and Canada accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).
The modern large-animal facility and marine station help support local livestock and marine life, while the Small Animal Clinic provides primary health care to local pets on the island. The clinic delivers services to over 1,200 residents and sees around 200 patients weekly.
SGU had an 85% pass rate on the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) from 2020 to 2021.
The History of St. George’s College of Veterinary Medicine
St. George’s University opened its doors to students in January 1977. The university developed rapidly as an international education center with students and faculty members from all across the world.
The campus thrives on a rich, multicultural base with state-of-the-art facilities and technology. In 1999 the St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine launched and has since become one of the top veterinary schools in the world.
The university now offers independent and dual graduate degrees in the fields of science, public health, and business. SGU has international associations with institutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, and Ireland.
Students gain practical experience in clinical and surgical skills before attending affiliated schools abroad.
Location
The university lies on the southern Caribbean island of Grenada, in the West Indies. The island has many hills and is also well known as the “Spice Isle” because the island has several nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla plantations.
World Ranking
St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine ranks 2997th worldwide, ranking out of 14 131 universities.
Admission Requirements
St. George’s University actively recruits its students, offering them a personal and supportive application journey. Listed below are the basic admission requirements students will need:
- Overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.25 or higher.
- Grade point average of 3.0 or higher for required prerequisite coursework.
- No grade of F, D, or C- in required prerequisite coursework.
- Students need not submit the GRE for the 2021 to 2022 application cycle.
- A positive recommendation from the VetPAC Director.
- A positive recommendation from the St. George’s University staff member who has interviewed the applicant.
- Proof of English proficiency.
Courses Offered at St. George’s College of Veterinary Medicine
The traditional Doctor Of Veterinary Medicine degree offered at SGU includes a three-year pre-veterinary medical program followed by a four-year veterinarian degree program.
For students that already hold a baccalaureate degree or any other advanced degree, SGU offers pre-veterinary entry points to accelerate the course.
The Global Veterinary Medicine Track (GVH) enables DVM students to experience a One Health One Medicine course in various international settings. SGU’s School of Veterinary Medicine aims to train its graduates to think progressively and look towards a more cohesive One Health-based future.
The DVM/MSc dual-degree program combines a Doctor Of Veterinary Medicine and a Master Of Science that focuses on thesis-orientated advanced research. Students have the opportunity to conduct active and original bench and/or field research in the following fields:
- Anatomical pathology.
- Anatomy.
- Bacteriology.
- Clinical pathology.
- Marine medicine.
- Parasitology.
- Pharmacology.
- Virology.
- Wildlife conservation medicine.
The dual DVM/MPH degree combines a Doctor Of Veterinary Medicine and a Master Of Public Health for students interested in veterinary public health. The program aims to provide community health policy leadership and expertise in animal and human health connections.
The dual DVM/MBA degree combines a Doctor Of Veterinary Medicine and an MBA In Multi-Sector Health Management to equip students with the tools to manage the complexities of modern animal health care delivery.
This unique program exposes veterinarians to international scenarios that require managerial and executive perspectives to enable leadership in public or private sector organizations.
The Veterinary Science Ph.D. offers veterinarians the opportunity to enter a career in the education or research field of vet medicine. An academic focus area in a specific subject provides mastery in both theoretical knowledge and practical application.
Course Length
SGU offers rolling admissions in the seven-year program for students. Depending on a student’s academic qualifications, the university also provides multiple entry points into the DVM degree for the four-, five-, six-, or seven-year educational program.
The five-, six- and the seven-year program applies to students that still need to complete pre-veterinary medical coursework requirements before they enter the traditional four-year program.
Student Life at St. George’s College of Veterinary Medicine
Student life on the island of Grenada offers a temperate climate and abundant opportunities to study in a beautiful location, start friendships that will span the globe, and enjoy multiple activities on or off campus.
The island has beaches, rainforests, mangroves, and mountains to explore. The picturesque city of St. George lies upon the volcano crater hillside, and the harbor with its yacht lagoon offers a popular port-of-call to travelers.
Locals share a rich English, French, and West Indian history and beautiful examples of French and British Colonial architecture.
Exploring waterfalls, hiking, and swimming around the island is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. The Grand Etang National Park and Mt. St. Catherine offer magnificent views and a vast array of Caribbean flora and fauna.
Grenada waters offer vibrant sea life on the reefs where students can snorkel or scuba dive. The unique Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park showcases sculptures reflective of Grenada’s culture, and students can rent water sports equipment when they need a break from their studies.
SGU has a multi-purpose Fitness & Wellness Center that houses weight-training and cardio equipment and hosts fitness classes for all current students, staff, and faculty with a valid faculty ID.
Indoor activities for students include
- Yoga.
- Bootcamp.
- Dance (Hip-Hop, Afro-Caribbean, Salsa, Hawaiian).
- Strength Training.
- Muay Thai.
- Tai Chi.
- Taekwondo.
- Spinning.
- Boxing.
- Table Tennis.
- Jiu Jit-Su.
Students can partake in several intramural sports, including weekly contests over ten weeks each semester for soccer, basketball, volleyball, and flag football. SGU also hosts frisbee, cricket, street hockey, and softball activities on the field and court adjacent to the gym facilities.
There are no official varsity teams, but SGU sometimes sponsors inter-island competitions for soccer, cricket, netball, and basketball.
Student associations and clubs available include the following:
- Angels in Armor Animal Rescue Fund (AAARF)
This organization includes a group of volunteers dedicated to saving animals that would otherwise face euthanasia due to financial constraints. The fund provides financial relief for students or faculty members of St. George’s University who aid sick or injured companion animals without owners.
AAARF’s intention is to promote advanced emergency medicine and critical care and provide students with hands-on opportunities, demonstrations, case studies, and lectures.
- Exotic and Wildlife Society
This society aims to increase veterinary knowledge and experiences working with exotic, non-traditional animals. The main focus is to provide student learning opportunities in avian, laboratory animals, marine, reptiles, wildlife, and zoo medicine.
Students can join the club and work alongside faculty members and guest professors in lectures, hands-on wet labs, and other exciting activities.
- Feral Cats Project (FCP)
This initiative is a student-led trap-neuter-release (TNR) organization that provides free sterilization and vaccination to Grenada’s wild felines. The project also provides primary health care to the island’s feral cat population to improve their health and welfare.
Population control provides valuable surgical experience opportunities for third-year veterinary students and faculty and student research. There are also foster and adoption services for cats and kittens at the executive board’s discretion.
- Integrative Veterinary Medicine Club (IVMC)
This club allows students to explore holistic and alternative therapies within veterinary medicine.
Combining the traditional medical knowledge gained from coursework and alternative therapies such as acupuncture, low-level laser therapy, nutritional therapy, herbal medicine, and rehabilitation will complement a student’s potential career path.
- International Veterinary Students Association (IVSA)
The IVSA aims to promote the international application of veterinary skills, education, and knowledge. IVSA intends to raise the overall standard of veterinary education by increasing international and intercultural exchange of ideas and expertise through student exchange programs and international congresses, and symposiums
- Large Animal Society (LAS)
This society aims to provide veterinary education through practical wet labs and lectures applicable to those interested in a large animal profession.
Members may apply for student representative selection for professional organizations such as The American Association of Bovine Practitioners, The American Association of Equine Practitioners, The American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners, and The American Association of Swine Veterinarians.
- Students of the American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA)
SAVMA promotes the development of professional knowledge, ethics, and conduct; and represents members as both students and future veterinarians.
- Student Chapter of the American College Of Veterinary Internal Medicine (SCACVIM)
This chapter focuses on fields of interest in specialties such as cardiology, neurology, oncology, large animal internal medicine, and small animal internal medicine. SCACVIM supports individuals interested in residencies and internships.
- Student Chapter of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (SCASV)
This student organization aims to advance the practice of shelter medicine by promoting interest and raising awareness among SGU veterinary students. SCASV focuses on disseminating valuable resources and current research to members interested in a career in Shelter Medicine.
- Student Chapter of the American College Of Veterinary Pathology (SCACVP)
SCAVP promotes interest and provides learning opportunities within the field of veterinary pathology. The chapter hosts learning activities with guest speakers, various necropsy wet labs, and histopathology slide sessions.
Career guidance around the various career paths within veterinary pathology includes diagnostic pathology, forensic pathology, wildlife, exotic pathology, toxicologic pathology, academia, and research.
- Society for Theriogenology (SFT)
SFT focuses on reproductive medicine in a wide range of species. Practical wet labs, lectures from specialists, and hands-on experience taught by faculty members and guest lecturers.
- Spay Neuter Pothounds (SNP)
SNP’s mission aims to sterilize the dog and cat population of Grenada. The group educates locals on proper animal husbandry, care, and veterinary services to surgical candidates presented to third-year students.
Members also provide long or short-term foster options for surgical candidates, depending on their circumstances.
- Student Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (SVECCS)
This club promotes the interests of students in emergency and critical care medicine. Members cover on-call shifts at the Small Animal Hospital and assist attending vets with their cases.
The society hosts guest lectures and practical wet labs based on real-life emergencies. SVECCS offers scholarships and educational reference materials, which can open doors for members interested in emergency and critical care medicine internships.
- Students of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (SCVMA)
This club brings students who wish to practice in Canada together. SCVMA helps to support students and offers a network of opportunities for their future careers.
- SVM Surgery Club (SVMSC)
The club offers surgical skills development and introduces students to surgery basics, advancements, and new techniques. The SVMSC also collaborates with the human medicine department and aims to coordinate the development of trans-species surgical adaptations.
- Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA)
This association is student-driven and dedicated to advancing the profession through promoting business knowledge, creating networking opportunities, and empowering ambitious students that wish to achieve personal and professional goals.
- Veterinary Student Herpetological Society (VSHS)
The mission of this society aims to improve veterinary education in herpetological medicine. The group focuses on educating members about Grenada’s unique herpetofauna and provides practical experience with the club’s live animal collection.
It is also the first international student chapter of the Association of Reptiles and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV). The VSHS strives to promote the welfare of all reptilian and amphibian species through public education, captive breeding, and reptilian and amphibian habitat preservation.
Grand Cayman Island
St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine
The faculty and administration at St. Matthew’s University commit themselves to provide in-depth experience and knowledge to provide a top-notch veterinary medical education.
This Cayman Islands vet school only has class sizes ranging from 10 to 20 students. The small class size allows students to receive individual attention while achieving their veterinary degree.
St. Matthew’s University staff hold advanced veterinary and/or doctoral degrees (DVM, Ph.D.) with postgraduate training in a veterinary or academic specialty. Staff needs to demonstrate a passion for teaching and/or research. The faculty teams up with world-leading specialists that travel to Cayman each semester to teach students.
St Matthew’s University looks to enroll ambitious, diligent, and curious minds into their Veterinary Medicine program. The challenges of being a vet require commitment, and the faculty seeks out individuals who can adapt to unpredictable hours and heavy caseloads.
Students who graduate from St. Matthews are prepared to work hard and apply themselves to the fast-paced, multifaceted world of veterinary medicine.
SMU achieved a 92 percent pass rate on the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) over the last three years.
The History of St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Michael Harris and a few other medical doctors founded SMU in Belize in 1997. The founders moved the school to the Cayman Islands in 2002. Dr. Scott Harris established the School of Veterinary Medicine in 2005.
Location
Grand Cayman island is the location of St. Matthew’s University vet school. Grand Cayman is the largest of the Cayman Islands, and Georgetown is its capital.
World Ranking
St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine ranks 7,211th out of 14,131 universities worldwide.
Admission Requirements
The requirements for applying to St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine include the following:
- 8 credits (and lab) in General Biology and General Chemistry.
- 4 credits (and lab) in Organic Chemistry.
- 3 credits in Biochemistry.
- 6 credits of Language Arts (English).
- 3 credits of College Math or Computer Science.
- 4 credits of Physics (Recommended).
- 6 credits of Social Science (Recommended).
- Applicants whose principal language is not English need to take the test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
SMU does not require the GRE test or a VMCAS application for admission consideration.
Courses Offered at St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine
The basic Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree consists of several classes, including veterinary anatomy, histology, physiology, immunology, parasitology, microbiology, pharmacology, pathology, public health, welfare, clinical skills, professional skills development, ethics, theriogenology, nutrition, anaesthesiology, nutrition, medicine, and surgery.
A dual degree program is available to students who wish to study for an online Master of Business Administration degree through Davenport University.
The dual degree program offers benefits such as the potential for Title IV federal student aid (for U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens), partnership tuition rates for the duration of the program, an MBA and a DVM in 3 years, and 15 transferable graduate credits.
St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine has affiliations with several United States and Canadian Colleges of Veterinary Medicine that aid in bridging students from academic classroom settings to practical clinical settings.
Students attend the U.S. or Canadian-based classes with other 4th-year veterinary students to gain experience with various animal species, state-of-the-art technology, and real-life clinical cases.
SMUSVM has affiliations with clinical year programs at Purdue University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Minnesota, North Carolina State University, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Illinois.
Clinical rotations include work in small-animal and large-animal hospitals to learn how to integrate knowledge acquired during the pre-clinical studies. Students must show professional judgment, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Affiliated clinical rotations require diligent devotion and a considerable amount of time to cope with rigorous case analysis, comprehensive reasoning, and sound logic for clinical conclusions.
Upon completing the clinical program at any affiliated school, St. Matthew’s University grants a student their Veterinary Medical degree.
St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine is not AVMA-accredited, but the American Veterinary Medical Association lists it.
The listing allows its graduates to qualify for entrance into the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) or the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE) certification programs.
The PAVE program is a foreign licensing program that allows students to qualify for the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE).
The exam is written or online and intends to test students’ knowledge graduating from foreign veterinary schools. The exam includes material learned in the first three (pre-clinical) years at an AVMA-accredited veterinary school. The PAVE program is valid in Australia, New Zealand, and 39 states in America.
The Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) program assesses vet students from non-AVMA-accredited schools to establish if the university has imparted sufficient knowledge to practice veterinary medicine within the United States.
It is a four-step program recognized by all 50 states, and it grants individuals a certificate upon completion that enables them to practice within those states.
Course Length
The course at St. Matthew’s vet school is three years. Students complete twenty-eight months of pre-clinical education and then complete twelve months of clinical rotations in an affiliated school in the United States or Canada.
Students attend university throughout the summer, which enables them to graduate sooner and crack on with a career in veterinary medicine.
Student Life at St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine
The Cayman Islands are a thriving financial center and tourist hotspot. The dynamic society boasts modern convenience but also maintains the rustic charm and vibrant history of the Caribbean.
This British Overseas Territory hosts a variety of people forming a global village with a unique blend of cultures.
The Grand Cayman lifestyle boasts many restaurants, movie theaters, shopping malls, and exotic outdoor activities on beautiful beaches.
Students can enjoy state-of-the-art pre-clinical training at the university’s multi-million dollar Surgical Teaching Facility.
The island has a convenient flight to Miami that allows students to be back in the states in under an hour. The island also has direct flights to Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Charlotte, Houston, New York, Tampa, Toronto, and other international locations.
The British West Indies has a rich culture and history. The Cayman Islands combine British civility, American efficiency, and Caribbean charm, according to the St. Matthews website, making it a great place to live and learn.
Final Words
Finding the right university to start your studies at can be pretty daunting, especially if you have had unsuccessful applications. The veterinary universities in the Caribbean offer a unique and spectacular alternative if becoming a vet is your dream.
All the Caribbean vet schools offer their own advantages, and if you can see yourself living and studying in a tropical paradise, then maybe the Caribbean is the right place for you.
With no language barriers, the Caribbean is an attractive alternative for students from Canada, the United Kingdom, The United States, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa.
St. Kitts Ross vet school offers a culture of connectivity and a fundamental commitment to integrated One Health research. RUSVM is passionate about producing adaptable, resilient, and patient vets fostered by island life and academic achievement.
St. George’s actively recruits vet students and flies prospective students to Grenada for facility tours. The university offers an exceptional DVM degree with unique clinical opportunities. The student life is outstanding, and the clubs and societies appeal to several diverse interests.
St. Matthews is the smallest of the three schools and not AVMA accredited, but it holds its appeal with no need to apply through VMCAS. It also hosts many non-traditional students, so it offers a lot for those who choose to study later in life.
For students looking for an alternative university experience, the Caribbean is the place to go.
Leonard Adkins’s view on the Caribbean is as follows: “Nowhere else is it possible to experience, in such a small area, so many different cultures and social conditions, such diverse vegetation, and such varied landscape as in the Caribbean.”
If you can study abroad and experience the rich and diverse culture of the Caribbean, consider these three vet schools as a possible avenue on the road to your vet career!