Lily Ng
2nd Year of 5 year BVM&S – Malaysia
What made you decide to study abroad rather than in Malaysia?
Living in a foreign country (even if it’s only for 9 months at a time) feels completely different than going on a holiday abroad. Being able to study in Edinburgh has been a rewarding and inspiring experience and has allowed me to learn many things I would never have learnt if I had remained back home. Studying abroad teaches me independence and self-reliance. All in all, studying abroad has been and will continue to be an unforgettable experience.
What made you decide to apply to The University of Edinburgh and The R(D)SVS?
The University is consistently in the top universities for veterinary medicine in the world. Edinburgh, to me, offers the best of both worlds in terms of study environment, living in a city where I can still go for a hike up hills or sit and stare at amazing views of nature whenever I wish. Also, out of all the interviews I attended, the one by the R(D)SVS stood out the most. Granted, during the interview I was so nervous I was practically bouncing, but I felt that the staff tried their best to support all the applicants and in truth, it was the first time I actually enjoyed being interviewed.
What was the application process like?
The application process was really straightforward even if I was applying from abroad. Each step of the application process was explained properly by correspondence with administration staff via email and I had help whenever I had enquiries or experienced problems. Even now, I am still amazed at how helpful and supportive all the staff at the vet school are whenever I encounter problems both in my studies as well as with administration paperwork.
What stands out in your mind from your experience at Edinburgh and studying Veterinary Medicine so far?
I love that there are practical sessions within the degree from day one. Visiting farms, shelters or just touching specimens in the dissection room makes learning the vast material we have to cover every semester much easier.
Was it difficult to transition into life in Edinburgh and studying abroad?
Initially, it was a bit daunting to spend 5 years of my life in a foreign place with complete strangers and for the first few months it was hard for me to fit in with my course mates, especially since I’m an introvert through and through. Looking back now, I have really enjoyed my days in University. I have made friends who have made the transition much easier.
What aspect of the BVM&S degree do you enjoy the most and why?
I would say I enjoy the whole degree in general. There is a range of lectures that we cover from parasitology to anatomy and clinical skills. I do enjoy the practical sessions more, especially the ones under the Professional and Clinical Skills Module as it gives us a chance to whip out our stethoscopes.
Have your EMS placements helped to shape your studies so far?
I cannot begin to explain how much EMS has helped consolidate my studies. Nothing beats hands on experience when it comes to sticking your hand into a ewe and feeling for the limbs of a baby lamb. It was and still is important for me to see how the material in lectures is applied in a commercial/clinical setting and it has definitely made studying the material in Animal Life and Food Safety much easier. EMS placements have also given me many opportunities to learn things that cannot be taught by the vet school, like how some farmers are struggling to make a profit and how vets can help improve their situation. EMS has made me realise just how important management and husbandry is.
How is your programme equipping you for your future career?
I am still in my pre-clinical years but I can already understand how important management and husbandry is in animal health and welfare. Being able to identify problems and giving advice on management issues can really determine if we are going to be a successful vet or not. The R(D)SVS also gives us so many work experience opportunities as well as the chance to dabble in research which I think is important. We are not just studying to be vets, we are learning to help make the world a better place to live in.
If you could give one piece of advice to any prospective students thinking of applying to the R(D)SVS, what would it be?
If you want to be a vet, there is no better place than to study in Edinburgh. And if you do decide to join the programme, there is no need to worry about lack of knowledge or experience. As long as you are willing to learn, you will be fine and you might just find yourself enjoying the programme much more than you realise. That being said, getting in to vet school is the (relatively) easy part. Vet school is as intense and challenging as much as it is rewarding. However, the experience you gain in vet school will definitely be worth your sweat and tears.