Walking into freshman year orientation, every student is immediately bombarded with a seemingly endless stream of clubs, opportunities, and events. Whether you commit to just one or a dozen, there's always the sense of not knowing if you're missing out or preparing yourself "correctly" for vet school.
My name is Sammi, and as a Phase 1 student at OVC this year, I'm here to tell you that there's no linear path to becoming a veterinarian, and how one of my commitments at the University of Guelph ultimately shaped my journey to vet school.
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What is Wild Ontario?
Since the start of my undergraduate degree in Animal Biology fall of 2019, I have been volunteering at Wild Ontario. Located in the Arboretum, Wild Ontario is made up of just 2 staff and many student volunteers that care and train for non-releasable raptors as well as educate a variety of audiences about wildlife and conservation across Ontario. The opportunity to work with these normally wild raptors is not only an incredible privilege, but has also been such an asset as a pre- veterinary student.
Now at this point you may be wondering- what are raptors? And do they have anything to do with Jurassic Park? Raptors are birds that hunt using their powerful feet and talons, and are also known for their keen eyesight and sharp beaks. At Wild Ontario, we have owls, falcons, hawks, and a Turkey Vulture (our honorary raptor).

Hi, everyone! My name is Cassidy Van Den Diepstraten, and I am a first-year student at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC). I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph, class of 2021. If you have ever considered applying to international veterinary schools, this post is for you!

About Me
I grew up in a small town in Northern Ontario surrounded by wildlife, where I became drawn to animals at a very young age. I gravitated towards documentaries with David Attenborough, as well as fellow Canadian David Suzuki, and wanted to be like them when I grew up and explore the world of animals. My initial passion for conservation and research led to my interest in veterinary medicine. 
While at U of G, I joined the Future Vets Club, which allowed me to attend seminars from international veterinary schools and build connections with their students and staff. Listening to how eager and passionate students were about their respective schools made me want to investigate some of these programs further. While applying to veterinary school for the 2021 application cycle, I decided to apply to several international veterinary schools. I felt that I would regret not applying, and besides, what did I have to lose? Little did I know what an impact that decision would have on my life. Those long hours of reading over applications, prepping for interviews, and studying finally paid off; I was accepted! After spending several long days making pros and cons lists, and researching programs and cities, I finally decided on the best fit for me: RVC.