This summer, a group of College of Veterinary Medicine students left Iowa behind for an experience they will not soon forget.
That’s what spending 10 days in Zambia, Africa, will do to you. Especially if you are getting to experience things you only dream of.
The Sukulu Wildlife Capture Experiences allows veterinary students and veterinarians the opportunity to gain hands-on technical skills and education through daily fieldwork and lectures.
That’s nothing new until you realize the students were working with white rhinos, sable antelope and cape buffalos and not the typical dog, cat, cow or horse they see in Iowa.
“The experience allowed us to work hands-on with wildlife in the African bush, which is their native habitat,” said Allison DiRossi, a third-year veterinary student. “We had the opportunity to monitor vitals and perform treatments on many different species.”
For DiRossi, the trip was a no-brainer as she is planning to pursue zoo medicine following vet school. Others like second-year student Alyssa Migiel had a different reason to travel halfway around the world.
“I was looking for diverse summer opportunities to broaden my perspective of veterinary medicine, Migiel said. “To fully get a grasp of the importance of conservation and how veterinarians can play a role, there is no better way than to travel to an area with many endangered species.”
The experience that Migiel, DiRossi and other Iowa State vet students received was invaluable. DiRossi says techniques she learned in darting, immobilization and management of large mammals will be helpful when she works in zoos. Migiel appreciated the hands-on experiences with the different species.
“I’m still working on exposing myself to different areas of medicine to ensure I find the right place for me, but I am incredibly grateful for the experience,” Migiel said. “I believe I can apply what I have learned to whatever I may choose to do.
“Whether or not I end up in a conservation-related career, I have a better understanding of the purpose of it and can continue to support those in the field.”
As you can imagine, this isn’t a cheap program. To assist Migiel, DiRossi and other veterinary students to have this and other international experiences, the Lloyd Excellence Fund Dean’s International Education Scholarship was created. The scholarship helps defray some of the cost associated with various College of Veterinary Medicine international programs.
“Traveling to Africa isn’t cheap and honestly it was the main deterrent for me to commit to the trip,” DiRossi said. “Luckily, the scholarship alleviated some of the financial strain and allowed me to be more flexible in my finances and budgeting.”
“As a veterinary student, I spend all my time focused on school and not on earning money, so deciding to go on a trip like this was difficult,” Migiel said. “The generosity of the scholarship encouraged me to further pursue this opportunity and it’s great to know individuals support students wanting to try various experiences around the world.”
September 2025
