by Mary Claire Stewart
This summer, I interned abroad with API and spent the summer of 2022 based in Sydney, Australia.
During my internship, I worked at the Animal Welfare League of New South Wales and primarily worked as a volunteer animal handler but also spent a week helping out at the veterinary clinic on site. Animal Welfare League New South Wales is a shelter located in a western suburb of Sydney that works to rehome animals that have been surrendered to them. These animals come from all walks of life, and every shape and size that you can imagine. Most of my time spent during the program including walking dogs or playing with cats, as well as cleaning their facilities and making sure everyone is fed.
I was also overjoyed to spend time at the West Hoxton site, a short 10 minute drive from the Kemps Creek main location. This site is the home of any livestock currently under the care of Animal Welfare League. This group consisted of two miniature ponies, two quarter horses, a thoroughbred, and funnily enough – a ram that the staff creatively named “Rammy” and who is adored by everyone. By the end of the program, I definitely had a soft spot for the exotics section of the shelter lovingly called “pocket pets.” These animals included any rabbits, guinea pigs, or birds that may be living at the shelter.
Not only did I bond with many animals during my time in Australia, I also came to adore everyone that I came in contact with both within my internship and also within the group of students there with me in the program. I have made friendships I will never forget, and hope that I get to see them again some time soon.
During my time in Australia, I learned so much about animal welfare and animal behavior, as well as so much more about myself as a leader. While participating in this program, I was tasked with the responsibility of caring for an entire section of the shelter on more than one occasion. I was overjoyed that the shelter held this much confidence in my abilities as a caretaker, and used these opportunities to grow my skills as both a leader and communicator.
I am extremely grateful to API because all of the interns were placed into a wonderful accommodation right in the middle of the city. This absolutely added to the experience, despite a lengthy commute to my rural internship. My motivation to travel was driven by many things. I wanted to learn more about a culture different from mine, learn more about the wide variety of animals living in Australia, and I also wanted to do something that pushed me outside of my comfort zone and allowed to grow personally. This program is so special and I would recommend it to anyone that is interested in interning abroad. I know that I will take this experience with me as I continue to pursue a career in veterinary medicine, and I desperately hope that I find myself back in Australia one day. I am so thankful for this opportunity and can not wait to see where these new experiences will take me next.
