Would-be vets visit prestigious animal hospital

“Congratulations, you are a successful applicant to the Sutton Trust Summer School at the Royal Veterinary College! At this stage, please could you reply to this email to confirm you are able to attend.”

This was the opening sentence that I laid my eyes on as I opened the email from the RVC, a leading university for Veterinary Medicine that offers state-of-the-art facilities. Plastered with a stupid grin on my face, it did not take me more than a few seconds to swiftly reply to the email to confirm that I could attend.

On Monday, I was greeted by an RVC Student Ambassador with much warmth at St. Pancras Station. This made me feel secure knowing someone had been there waiting for my arrival. I began to feel at ease and reassured, since I had been quite nervous. We walked to the Camden campus.

We went straight to the lecture theatre for brief introductions from Outreach Development Manager, Dr Grace Sim, and the Student Ambassadors. I was beaming from the talk because of their contagious enthusiasm. They explained that we were staying at the Hawkshead campus in Hertfordshire for the rest the week.

Shortly afterwards, we were given our timetables. I was overwhelmed at how packed the days were. The first activity was going to the dissecting room and conducting postmortems on a variety of specimens. Around us were posters filled with information relating to each species, and their cardiac and respiratory systems. Indeed, the posters and worksheets given throughout the week were fantastic resources for our veterinary learning, and of course, vital and key preparation for university applications and interview.

The next morning we had a tour of the Hawkshead campus, followed by an inspiring talk from Isi Adeola. He explained how he came to study at the RVC and completed his Master’s degree in Wild Animal Biology. The days unfolded with a variety of captivating lectures that made me feel like I was a part of something extraordinary. These lectures were led by RVC specialists within their field. Some of them were actual veterinary surgeons, providing us a great opportunity to learn about their practical experiences. They set us an example of how we could become innovative vets ourselves.

We took a tour of the one-and-only Queen Mother Hospital, one of Europe’s largest small animal referrals hospitals. This was, yet again, another mind-blowing experience.

Following on from that visit, we walked to the clinical skills centre on site; allowing us to practice vital surgical techniques: Gloving and gowning, suturing, and bandaging on life sized horse models!

On Wednesday, we went to RVC’s Boltons Park Farm, where we saw an unforgettable demonstration lead by RVC leaders who work in the food production industry. Others sessions included a Clinical case studies session, horse anatomy practical with live horses and a structure and motion lab. All of these sessions were memorable and ones that I shall hold dear to my heart.

There was a wide-range of evening activities including dodge ball against the RVC Student Ambassadors, a bake off and other ice breakers. It was a brilliant way to get students to interact and I thoroughly enjoyed them. The RVC and my peers helped to create a great sense of community and belonging.

Something I shall never forget is giving a presentation! I was a bag of nerves and quite worried, however the Summer School gave me the courage and confidence to speak to a broad group of people. It is a skill I have now developed for the future, wherever in the veterinary profession that may lead.

There are only positives that I can describe about this Summer School. It has given me a sneak-peak into student life as well as providing a chance to live in a scientific environment. A grand applause goes to the staff who made it possible. Words cannot describe how invaluable this opportunity was and the RVC Student Ambassadors and staff were lovely. I’m still on a high, and utterly over the moon at how the week transpired.

I am so grateful for the Sutton Trust for organising the Summer School with the RVC. They have really outdone themselves with providing such an enriching week filled with a plethora of veterinary lectures, led by world class lecturers who might possibly be teaching me one day!

Thank you so much to the Sutton Trust. I have now gained confidence, knowledge, and an extended family formed from friendships made during the week. It has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I had the privilege to be a part of!