Visiting Students

Clinical Externship Opportunity

Two international veterinary students stand in front of the Small Animal Clinic at the University of Illinois.
Giovana Silveira (left) and Howard Chan are fourth-year veterinary students who spent time in the clinical setting at the University of Illinois in 2023. Silveira studies at Universidade Federal do Parana, Brazil, and Chan studies at National Taiwan University, Taiwan.

The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine offers an externship program in clinical specialties for veterinary students in their final year of a veterinary degree.

Applications will be reviewed as received and selection will be based upon the following criteria:

  • The student is currently enrolled in a veterinary degree program and is in the final year of the program.
  • Academic ability and relevant experience are evidenced by curriculum vitae.
  • The student must agree to a minimum 2-week rotation or a maximum 6-week rotation. The dates for the externship must be aligned with our teaching hospital program.

Hospital services available for rotations include Anesthesia, Cardiology, Dentistry, Dermatology, Food Animal Medicine, Equine Medicine and Surgery, Neurology, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care, Small Animal Medicine, Small Animal Surgery, and Zoological Medicine. Students can choose up to three services to rotate through and will spend two weeks in each. Students will be assigned according to the services’ availability.

The externship at the University of Illinois is a no-cost program. There are no charges associated with it. However, the student is responsible for all travel, insurance, and accommodation expenses. 

International students interested in applying for the externship program will need to submit a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, travel/medical insurance with international coverage, passport information, and letter confirming enrollment at a veterinary school.

Apply for the Visiting International Student Program

For more information, please contact the Coordinator of International Programs Dr. Clarissa Souza at cpsouza@illinois.edu.