Through study abroad opportunities, Purdue’s Veterinary Technology Distance Learning program is helping students think globally
Publish Date: 2026-03-27 12:08:00
Source Domain: vet.purdue.edu
Promoting animal health is a value that transcends cultures and unites the world. That’s why there are veterinary professionals practicing in nearly every country around the globe. But access to high-quality, affordable veterinary care is far from universal — in many nations, particularly developing nations, access to veterinarians is inconsistent, and affordability is a concern all over the world. To confidently address these issues, veterinary professionals must be able to think globally.
That’s why Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine is encouraging students in its Veterinary Technology Distance Learning Program (VTDL) to pursue study abroad opportunities. According to Addison Sheldon, director of global engagement for the college, giving online students the opportunity to utilize their skills abroad helps them develop a global consciousness that can make them more effective practitioners.
“Study abroad enriches our online curriculum by bringing classroom concepts to life in a global, real-world context,” said Sheldon. “In addition to learning about diverse veterinary practices, they’re living them. This immersive learning deepens their understanding of animal health, broadens their clinical perspective and develops critical thinking skills.”
The Veterinary Technology Distance Learning (VTDL) program offers students the option to study abroad in Guatemala, Japan and Zimbabwe by partnering with local universities and organizations. In Guatemala, students partner with ARCAS, a wildlife medicine and rehabilitation nonprofit. In Japan, students learn about small and large animal medicine at Rakuno Gakuen University. And in Zimbabwe, students explore the contrasts in urban, livestock and wildlife veterinary medicine.
Online students in the VTDL program engage in flexible, immersive learning experiences that prepare them to earn their associate’s degrees and pass the Veterinary…
