Overview

The ISU College of Veterinary Medicine has been involved in international activities since the College was established in 1879. These activities have included conducting research on animal diseases of international importance; sending faculty to teach and consult in countries around the globe; and training veterinarians and graduate students who, in turn, have become leaders in veterinary medicine in their countries.


 International activities are more important to veterinary medicine today than ever before.  Issues such as food safety, public health, vaccines and pharmaceuticals, and international trade require veterinarians to have a greater understanding of international animal health

Students at ISU are broadening their international interests just as career opportunities in international veterinary medicine are expanding.  Faculty, too, are participating in more international collaborations.  There are many international opportunities for ISU College of Veterinary Medicine students.
 
Since May of 2001, CVM faculty have led five group study abroad trips and four trips are planned for 2003.. Students traveling to China gained first hand experience in acupuncture techniques from instructors at the China Agriculture University. Students participating in two study abroad trips to Germany learned about animal health issues (BSE, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, and production practices) and European society's perceptions of veterinary medicine. The participants in the "Wildlife and Livestock in East Africa" trip learned about the ecology, environment, and interactions between wildlife, livestock, and human communities in Kenya. The Thailand trip focused on swine production medicine and foreign animal diseases. The Ukraine trip focused on agriculture production, processing and marketing in the former Soviet Union. In addition, a number of students traveled on their own to other countries around the world.

Sections within this International Programs Web site provide vivid photos and travel summaries from CVM faculty and students whose recent travels have spanned the globe. Read the section on CVM's International Programs to learn more about our global partnerships and IICAB's impact on global harmonization of animal biologics. Find out what faculty like Dr. Jeff Beetham are doing to bring global perspectives into new academic programs that address emerging global diseases. 

For more information about the international programs of the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, please contact Dr. Monica O. Howard DVM, PhD..