Well that was an exhausting but really fun two weeks. I just finished (well not quite “just finished”- I’ve had a week of classes as well but no time to blog- more on that later) orientation for Colorado State University’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program. Usually orientation is a week long, but I am in the UAF/CSU combined program, which means went to two orientations!

My first week consisted of the UAF portion of orientation. It started with a scavenger hunt around the campus (to help us get to know the school), talks and information from faculty and staff, and ended with a hike to Angel Falls and a swim in the hot springs. It was a very pleasant way to get to know the nine other classmates I will be tackling this intense education with up in wild Alaska.

Below is a picture from our hike. Fairbanks and the surrounding area are so beautiful.

I don’t have any pictures from the hot springs, but I do have some from the ice museum next door. This ice museum is kept at approximately 20 degrees Fahrenheit and is filled with cool sculptures. You can also get an apple martini in an ice glass, or if you are daring enough, pay to stay overnight in one of the ice hotel rooms. Pretty cool! ;-)

After the weeklong orientation in Fairbanks, my classmates and I caught the red-eye back to Colorado for orientation at CSU. There were more lectures, a trip to CSU’s mountain campus, and coating ceremony to finish up the week and to welcome us to the school and veterinary profession.

We spent two days at the mountain campus, doing ice breakers, games, hiking, and a low and high ropes course. It was a jam-packed bit of time, but really fun. The picture below is from a hike we went on in the morning, and the video link shows the different activities we participated in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZsimHMwrSc&feature=youtu.be

The week finished up with our coating ceremony, where our class accepted our blue lab coats, recited the veterinary oath, and received a warm welcome into the veterinary school and community.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlC6qWY5eIU

Once the ceremony was over, I met some friends for dinner. Then we went to the barn where Minnie will be staying for the next two years to give her a midnight carrot snack!

And finally - back on the plane we went. During our layover in Seattle, I was able to pick up some delicious macarons. They were amazing and totally blog worthy.

Until next time~ Angela

• Minnie