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VETERINARY
& ANIMAL SCIENCE

STUDY ABROAD IN LATIN AMERICA

Animal health and welfare has important scientific, cultural, and ethical dimensions. In developing countries, the approach to animal care is significantly different and animals are often poorly treated due to resource limitations and cultural misconceptions. Maximo Nivel’s study abroad programs provide students the opportunity to gain insight and make an impact on individual animals’ lives through internships and service learning placements.

Participants may schedule programs using the academic calendar or can take advantage of open enrollment internships and service learning programs, which begin every Monday year-round!

Internships provide opportunities for hands-on experience working with a variety of animal-related issues while assisting veterinary doctors and other animal healthcare advocates.

Animal lovers love Maximo Nivel’s service learning programs, which are focused on dog and cat rescue, adoption, reptile rehabilitation, and zoo management.

Customized programs can be organized to focus on specific knowledge areas with respect to animal welfare, including presentations about animal health and nutrition, livestock management, and exotic animal care (e.g. reptiles, camelids, birds).

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Maximo Nivel takes your academic success very seriously. We evaluate each student’s motivation for the program and academic history. This helps to ensure a productive and successful cohort experience.

– At least 18 years of age
– Enrolled in Veterinary medicine or related
– Basic to Advanced Spanish language skills
– Hard working, passionate, creative, and resourceful
– Minimum GPA 2.50

Fields of Study

– Animal Management
– Animal Nutrition & Welfare
– Veterinary Science
– Zoology

TERM DATES
Summer Term 2026 01 June – 24 July
Summer Term I 01 June – 26 June
Summer Term II 29 June – 24 July
Fall Semester 2026 14 September – 18 December
Fall Term I 14 September – 02 October
Fall Term II 12 October – 30 October
Fall Term III 02 November – 20 November
Fall Term IV 30 November – 18 December
Winter Term 2026-2027 04 January – 15 January
Spring Semester 2027 01 February – 07 May
Spring Term I 01 February – 19 February
Spring Term II 01 March – 19 March
Spring Term III 22 March – 09 April
Spring Term IV 19 April – 07 May
Summer Term 2027 31 May – 23 July
Summer Term I 31 May – 25 June
Summer Term II 28 June – 23 July
FULL ACADEMIC CALENDAR

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Programs Antigua,
Guatemala		 Cusco,
Peru		 San Jose,
Costa Rica		 Manuel Antonio,
Costa Rica
Spring or Fall – Term I
(3 Weeks)		 – $1,995 – –
Spring or Fall – Term II
(3 Weeks)		 – $1,995 – –
Spring or Fall – Term III
(3 Weeks)		 – – – $2,295
Spring or Fall – Term IV
(3 Weeks)		 – – – $2,295
Winter Term
2 Weeks		 – – – $1,795
Summer Term I
4 Weeks		 $1,595 $1,595 $1,995 $2,295
Summer Term II
4 Weeks		 $1,595 $1,595 $1,995 $2,295
Country Jumper
(Spring or Fall)
14 Weeks		 $8,995

*Prices above are representative only. Final tuition costs vary based on itinerary, housing preferences, tours, and transportation.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Why I Maximo Nivel

I had an amazing time conserving turtles in Costa Rica! The work that you do is much needed as well as attracting attention and tourism, beneficial to the local surrounding community. It was a very rural project, situated on the coast and staying in dorm style accommodation but I would recommend the digital detox to anybody! The staff at Maximo and at the program are incredibly welcoming and I have made friends and connections for life on this project!

Brooke D.

INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIPS

VETERINARY INTERNSHIPS IN LATIN AMERICA

What is really important in an aspiring veterinarian’s life, is to not only help an animal of total innocence live a longer, healthier life, but to also educate people on how they can make life better for all animals.

Through Maximo Nivel’s internships in Latin America, veterinary students learn about the challenges to professional animal healthcare in developing countries and leave with a better understanding of the systems and practices that are in effect today. You also gain practical experience in veterinary medicine, increase your knowledge of medical terminology in Spanish, and improve your ability to communicate with Spanish-speaking pet owners. You build an overall professional foundation as a globally-minded practitioner of veterinary medicine.

Internship programs place you directly with veterinary doctors to assist in primary animal care. These small clinics often include an animal shelter as part of their operations. As an intern, you assist with examinations of a large variety of animals, assess different injuries and illnesses, and assist with diagnoses. You may also help prep animal patients for surgery, monitor animals in post op recovery, collect data, and update patient records. In your role as an intern, you get to know the local community as you help tend to their animals—giving you the opportunity to educate and advise owners about proper care, nutrition, and training for their pets.

Intermediate Spanish is required to be effective in a medical internship placement.

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International Internships for Veterinary & Animal Science Major
Service Learning for Veterinary & Animal Science Major

SERVICE LEARNING

FOR VETERINARY & ANIMAL SCIENCE STUDENTS

In Latin America, though laws are now being enacted to protect animals, there is still very little understanding of animal rights and what constitutes their proper treatment. There are many hard-to-overcome cultural challenges that create obstacles to animal protection. Domestic dogs and cats are often neglected or abandoned by their owners and exotic animals are frequently, but improperly, kept as pets.

Service learning programs provide you with practical experience in animal welfare and primary care. Service learning placements include shelters, exotic animal
rehabilitation, and a university-run zoo. You learn by helping these organization provide housing, food, healthcare, and adoption services. As a service learning student, you also help to provide exercise, grooming, and basic obedience training. Depending on field condition, you may also get involved with spay and neuter campaigns, community education, and fundraising.

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UNIVERSITY COURSES

GPH 301: Public Health in Latin America

GPH 301 focuses on the public health systems in Latin America. Students develop an understanding of the accessibility, quality, and cost issues around these systems, as well as the sociocultural, economic, and political factors impacting public these systems. The course brings students on at least 2 visits to both public and private healthcare centers and at least two health professionals join the lectures as guest speakers.

SOC 301 aims to develop students’ knowledge of social justice issues in Latin America. The course focuses on indigenous rights, women’s empowerment, LGBTQ rights, as well as environmental issues, in the scope of Latin America’s economy, culture, history, religion, and politics. Students select a specific area of social justice and a specific country of focus for their final project. Through completion of the final project, students analyze social justice, development, and sustainability alongside both supportive and conflicting societal variables and interests.

Spanish 101 is a first-level language course designed for students who have not previously studied Spanish or those with a low-basic level. The course creates a foundation in grammar, vocabulary and speaking skills, with additional exercises in reading, writing, and listening while exploring Latin American culture. Course methodology is based on the communicative approach, emphasizing conversation in Spanish.

Spanish 370: Medical Spanish is designed to expand the student’s vocabulary and proficiency in Spanish for healthcare. The course focuses on building medical vocabulary and developing speaking, writing, and presentation skills in Spanish within the context of healthcare. This includes study and research on various healthcare topics, role-play scenarios, significant vocabulary acquisition, and, when possible, guest speakers and visits to local clinics or hospitals.

SPA 201 – Intermediate Spanish I
SPA 202 – Intermediate Spanish II
SPA 301 – Spanish Composition I
SPA 302 – Spanish Composition II
SPA 350 – Latin American Literature
SPA 360 – Latin American Civilization & Culture
SPA 361 – Modern Day Latin America
SPA 371 – Business Spanish
SPA 380 – Intercultural Communication
SPA 420 – Advanced Spanish Grammar
SPA 480 – Advanced Spanish Conversation

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University Courses for Veterinary & Animal Science Majors
Schools of Records

EARN ACADEMIC CREDIT

UNIVERSITY ABROAD

Academic credit is available for Maximo Nivel’s Study Abroad programs. Our programs can fulfill major, minor, or elective requirements. Our School of Record issues official transcripts and academic credit for your program. Get the credit you earn!

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