Medical Poland Veterinary trip to Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences.
Prospective Irish Veterinary Medicine students and their parents travelled in April to Wroclaw, Poland, where they had a very enjoyable and insightful view into student life abroad.
Following a short 2 hour 10 minute flight directly from Dublin or Shannon to Wroclaw, the group met for a quick introduction in the WenderEdu business centre, while also meeting with a current student of Veterinary medicine in the university.
The next day, they were met with a member of the university admissions team and taken to the University farm in Swojec - about 12 minutes drive away, where they saw the facility where students carry out many practical and theoretical classes throughout the 5.5 year veterinary medicine course. Swojec is the farm where there is an opportunity to assist in lambing during the year.
After arriving back at the main veterinary campus on Norwida street, students and parents were given a tour of the university buildings, pointing out the main lecture halls and laboratories. Then it was time for a traditional Polish lunch conveniently located across the road in “Cynamon Bar” - a buffet style restaurant very popular among Polish and international students in Wroclaw.
The group were then shown around on a very enjoyable and informational walking Wroclaw city tour. This is invaluable before moving to the city (moving anywhere, particularly abroad) to help students get to know the history and meaning behind many main attractions. The tour concluded with a pit stop in the famous “Spiz” bar and brewery.
The following day the group of parents and students looking to study veterinary medicine abroad reconvened at the Wroclaw Zoo, where they were given an informational lecture by the educational co-ordinator and a zookeeper. They explained how the university works very closely with the Zoo.They were also fortunate to get a look at a behind the scenes look at how some of the aquatic life are fed in the stunning Africarium. Then it was back to the university campus - just a quick 5 minute tram ride!
An extensive tour of the university clinics was then organised showing the wide variety of animals treated as well as the very advanced diagnostic tools including large and small animal MRIs and professionalism carried out on a daily basis. The students and parents had the opportunity to meet with some future professors and PhD students. After this, the group also had the opportunity to spend the afternoon with Sadhbh, a current Irish student, where they could get to know more about student life in Poland from an Irish perspective.
