Hannah Morton - Columbia

This summer, my fellow UC Davis student Maddie McDougal and I had the opportunity to visit the large animal clinic at La Universidad Nacional de Colombia in Bogotá, Colombia. We completed a combined clinical and research externship, incorporating clinical experience at the hospital and investigation into local seroprevalence of Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis. 

For the first week of our stay, Maddie and I joined the veterinary students for their daily activities, performing treatments, jumping in to help with incoming emergencies, and attending morning rounds, all conducted in Spanish. After spending the morning in the clinic, we would spend the afternoons driving to farms all around Bogotá to collect samples and test local horses for Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis, or EPM, a protozoal parasitic disease that causes neurological symptoms in horses. Each horse had a blood sample collected, as well as a full neurological examination. The blood samples will be sent to UC Davis for Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Tests (IFAT) to assess for exposure to parasites that cause EPM. The neurologic examinations included cranial nerve and spinal nerve reflexes, as well as a dynamic exam with a gait evaluation for signs indicative of spinal cord or vestibular disease. 

Later in our stay, we were joined in Bogotá by our own Dr. Alemán from UC Davis, who led a continuing education seminar on equine neurology at La Universidad Nacional. The event took place over four days, with lectures and wet labs on equine neurological diseases and diagnostic tools, all taught in Spanish. We were able to attend the entire seminar and hear Dr. Alemán teach how to conduct a neurologic examination and perform different approaches for collection of cerebral spinal fluid. In total, over ninety students and veterinarians attended from around Colombia. 

Outside of our clinic and research time, Maddie and I travelled around Bogotá and nearby cities to experience the local culture. We visited museums and botanical gardens, walked the Ciclovia (an event every Sunday where major streets are closed off to all vehicles), and we played Tejo, the national game of Colombia, which involves throwing a heavy stone at a ring of gunpowder, hoping for an explosion. We were hosted by a lovely couple, Judy and Tom, who were very enthusiastic about showing us their city and introducing us to new foods, music, and cultural experiences. 

I had so many wonderful experiences in Bogotá and learned so much during my time there. Not only did I gain valuable experience with equine neurology, but also learned about Colombian culture and significantly improved my Spanish through daily practice. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity, and I want to say thank you to the generous donors and Global Programs staff who make these incredible experiences possible. And finally, thank you to Maddie, Dr. Valderrama, and Dr. Alemán for creating an unforgettable experience that I will remember for the rest of my career.