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Story contact: Rachel Becker, CVMMarCom@missouri.edu
Photos by Karen Clifford
Hunter Barber and Annalise Sharpe grew up in the Midwest with big dreams of becoming veterinarians. When the chance to study in London arose, it felt like an adventure they couldn’t pass up. Two years later, though, the shine had worn off. The distance from family was harder than expected and the slower pace of the program left them restless.
What they wanted most wasn’t just a degree, it was a place that felt like home.
“We started thinking more seriously about where we wanted to practice one day,” Sharpe said. “The Midwest just felt right to us.”
Hunter Barber and Annalise Sharpe in Europe. Photo courtesy Annalise Sharpe
That realization set them searching for U.S. veterinary schools that accepted transfer students. The University of Missouri quickly rose to the top of their list, not just for its location but for the way people treated them from the very first phone call.
“Everyone at Mizzou was attentive, reassuring and willing to figure things out with us,” Sharpe said. “That support was incredibly influential in our decision to transfer.”
Adapting to a new pace
Switching from a slower curriculum abroad to Mizzou’s fast-moving second-year coursework was no small adjustment. But Barber said the encouragement they received from faculty made all the difference.
“The professors here are always open to communication and go out of their way to help,” he said. “That kind of support has made us feel truly welcomed.”
Sharpe added that the rigor comes with care. “Everyone pushes us to grow, but they also make it clear they want us to succeed,” she said. “That balance makes it a great place to learn.”
Finding their place
What surprised Barber most was how quickly Columbia began to feel like home.
“Driving around, I immediately felt a warm welcome,” he said. “And at the CVM, I made friends really quickly.”
From study groups to Mizzou football games, the couple has found ways to connect that remind them why they chose to return to the Midwest in the first place.
“When you walk through the hallways at the CVM, you see instructors, teaching assistants, house officers — everyone is invested in the same mission,” Barber said. “That’s something I didn’t realize I wanted, but now that I have it, I’m so thankful.”
Sharpe added: “It feels like home, and I know the people I’ve met will be part of my life for years to come.”
For Barber and Sharpe, transferring to Mizzou meant more than continuing their education. It gave them the challenge they craved, the support they needed and the sense of belonging that makes the journey toward becoming veterinarians feel exactly right.