Submitted by J. Hudson on Fri, 08/08/2025 - 11:41
Bridging Borders: Cambridge and Samsun veterinary students connect through IVSA Exchange
During Lent Term 2025, the International Veterinary Students’ Association (IVSA) Cambridge chapter hosted five students from Ondokuz Mayıs University in Samsun, Turkey - one of the country’s leading veterinary schools. This vibrant exchange marked the beginning of a new chapter in global collaboration, with Cambridge students also visiting Samsun later in the term.
The initiative gave students a chance to explore new perspectives on veterinary education, build friendships across cultures, and strengthen ties between two internationally respected institutions.
Welcoming IVSA Samsun to Cambridge
Our guests arrived in Cambridge to a warm welcome - and equally warm spring sunshine. After settling in with their host students, they were treated to an evening of formal dining at Downing College, a college tour, and a competitive table football match (narrowly won by the visitors!). Quickly, conversations turned to comparing student life - revealing fascinating differences, such as on-campus living in Samsun versus Cambridge’s collegiate system.
The week’s activities offered a rich blend of academic, cultural, and social experiences. At the Queen’s Veterinary School Hospital, students toured the diagnostic imaging suite, equine handling facilities, and large animal clinical skills labs, with sessions kindly supported by our radiography and clinical skills teams. One guest reflected: “It’s amazing that you have so many opportunities to work with different animals early in your training.”
Our visitors particularly enjoyed practising skills on anatomical models - a rare opportunity in their home curriculum. “It was my first time bandaging on a model,” said Tansel, a fourth-year from Samsun. “In Turkey, we mostly learn during placements. This was really special.” Students from both universities discussed the benefits of high-volume clinical exposure versus structured pre-clinical skills training, highlighting how different systems complement one another.
Academic highlights included talks by Professor James Wood, OBE, on the impact of Brexit on disease surveillance, and Professor Cinzia Cantacessi on Leishmania in Europe. These sessions sparked rich debate about differences in diagnostic techniques and clinical priorities between countries.
The social programme included a formal dinner at Downing, games night at Selwyn, a London day trip, and a group quiz and dinner—complete with cultural exchanges over food and music. “Backgammon is a favourite Turkish game called Tavla,” one student explained. “It’s amazing to see how traditions travel and evolve.”
One of the most memorable moments came during a sunset walk to a local viewpoint. Turkish student Duru shared: “I count myself lucky to have met everyone. Watching the sun set with new friends is a memory I’ll always treasure.”
Cambridge visits Samsun
Later in the term, Cambridge students travelled to Turkey to continue the exchange. After arriving in Istanbul and journeying to Samsun, they were warmly welcomed by their hosts - with language skills immediately put to the test as they ordered kebabs in Turkish!
The week included visits to the university’s anatomy labs, where Samsun students construct skeletal models using saprotrophic insects - a hands-on technique praised by our students for helping visualise 3D anatomy. In the university hospital, Cambridge students observed a range of clinical cases, from orthopaedic surgery to feline glaucoma, gaining insight into the challenges of owner consent, species-specific protocols, and anaesthesia techniques.
Cultural learning was equally important. Students experienced a traditional Iftar meal to mark the end of Ramadan, explored the Erfelek waterfalls in Sinop, and even took part in a Turkish coffee fortune-reading ritual. “The view from the mountain road as we sang on the bus was unforgettable,” said one participant.
Academic visits included private clinics, a tour of the research animal facility, and time with Professor Dr. Aburrahman Aksoy, who spoke on the 3Rs in animal research ethics. Students also visited a local bird sanctuary where one Cambridge student helped release rehabilitated raptors - “a once-in-a-lifetime moment.”
Why IVSA matters
IVSA is a global student-led network with over 38,000 members, aiming to connect future veterinary professionals across borders through learning, collaboration, and cultural exchange. Events like this exchange - supported by the Camvet Trust - are at the heart of its mission.
As final-year student Brodie Gibson reflected, "This trip highlighted differences in teaching structure, surgical technique, and specialisation—but also surprising similarities. We share a focus on anatomy, rigorous training, and that special camaraderie you only find in vet school."
This exchange has not only revived the IVSA Cambridge chapter but also opened doors to future placements, partnerships, and lasting friendships. Delegates recently returned from the 1st Pan-Hellenic and European Veterinary Students Congress in Greece, and plans are already underway for IVSA’s 74th Congress in Taiwan - with the next exchange possibly taking us to Egypt.
Thanks you to all students, staff, and supporters who made this exchange possible, and to the Camvet Trust for its generous support.
