Description

Humantropic Adventures Panama is a unique summer abroad program centered in the Republic of Panama. Here, we operate under the assumption that you have unique and valuable perspectives and that you can have a positive impact on the world no matter your age; you are a beautiful and complex human being, and you are just getting started. Journey with us in intensive language study and practice, cultural immersion, service, and guided exploration of your own thoughts, perceptions, and feelings, all of which are naturally magnified by opening yourself to a new and different world.

We believe that affective learning is the most effective - you have to feel it! Humantropic Adventures structures its program so that students experience the dynamic and evolving sociocultural milieu of Panama, and carry that dynamism forward in their own lives. Students will investigate divergent historical perspectives, learn and practice foreign language skills while conversing, interacting, and working with local Panamanians of diverse backgrounds, and will assimilate knowledge through daily journaling and reflective workshops. Humantropic Adventures aims to affect the whole student - mind, heart, and soul.

By choosing to study abroad in Panama with Humantropic Adventures this summer, you are investing in your ability to navigate honorably in an increasingly interdependent world. Whatever your future plans may be, learning more deeply about the world and how you fit in with it will always serve you. As we explore, we become more aware that we are the sum total of each step we've taken, and as such, are ends unto ourselves. Stepping into the future with each foot forward in time, we exist as the crossroads of past and future. Humantropic Adventures is inspired by the promise of change, the one constant in the world, and the unique privilege we share as humans to purposefully affect change and to embody transformation. The wheel below sequences our systematic approach to powerful and purposeful summer enrichment abroad in Panama. We hope you consider taking your turn.

Highlights

Portobelo and Isla Grande: According to legend, Christopher Columbus originally gave the name of "Puerto Bello," or "Beautiful Port," to what would later be the port city of Portobelo, on Panama's Caribbean coast. The nearby Spanish colonial fortifications of Fort San Lorenzo were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. Students will explore the sites and consider the impact of early Spanish colonialism on the area. We will also visit the island of Isla Grande, located within the Portobelo National Park. Here, students will have the opportunity to practice Spanish while interacting with locals and enjoy water sports and recreational activities.

Barro Colorado Island: During construction of the Panama Canal, the Chagres River was dammed to form the man-made Gatun Lake that comprises the middle of the canal. The rising waters covered much of the existing rainforest except for the tallest hilltops, which became islands and a refuge to an extraordinary number of fauna. The largest island is Barro Colorado Island, which is home to The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), one of the most studied tropical rainforests on the planet. Students will learn to recognize various tropical plant and animal species, as well as current conservation efforts and various research methodologies.

Panama Canal and Casco Viejo: Famous for its canal, Panama offers students the opportunity to view firsthand one of the most amazing engineering projects ever undertaken, with six new locks currently under construction. Students will examine the history and politics of building the canal and the transfer of its control from The United States to the Panamanian people. In conjunction with visiting the canal, students will visit Casco Viejo. Declared a World Heritage Site in 2003, Casco Viejo offers students the opportunity to appreciate important national landmarks, monuments, and various styles of architecture that reflect Panama's diversity and history.

El Valle: Located in the crater of a volcano that has been dormant for about five million years, El Valle boasts one of Panama's most famous markets, and the waterfall "El Macho." Students will have ample opportunity to continue practicing their Spanish language skills while haggling prices in the market, and will enjoy stunning views while hiking or horseback riding.

Panama City: First established in 1519, the section of Panama City known as "Panama Viejo" was the first European settlement on the Pacific coast of the Americas. Today, Panama City is a thriving and burgeoning metropolitan area bringing together people from around the globe. Students will continue to elevate their Spanish language skills while interacting with local Panamanians, sampling local cuisine, shopping, and exploring the city's many attractions. Student housing during the Immersion phase of the program will be located in Panama City, in the area of Clayton, which was formerly part of the Panama Canal Zone.

Humantropic Adventures is very blessed, and excited, to announce that we will be partnering with an indigenous community in the autonomous Guna Yala territory on Panama's Caribbean coast for the Service phase of our summer 2012 program.The service phase of Humantropic Adventures sets us apart from other summer abroad programs by structuring an opportunity for students to give back to the local population. This distinction showcases the philosophy of our program in a most profound way as students, program leaders, and locals work side-by-side towards common goals of improving physical conditions, strengthening connections between people through cooperative efforts, and elevating one's appreciation for our inherent gifts within that naturally evolve through sharing. Service activities may include cleaning beaches, painting structures, helping to prepare meals for malnourished children, tutoring, and general help. By giving of yourself, you will gain so much.

Chiriqui: Our home base in Chiriqui is the hotel Quetzales, an eco-tourist hotel known for its exotic birds, most especially its namesake - the Quetzal. The first day features tours around Volcan Baru, including the Cerro Punta farms where fruits and vegetables are planted on the sides of the volcano, and a horse-breeding farm that produces world class racing horses for races including the Kentucky Derby. After becoming acclimated to the higher elevation of the volcano, day two features a day of hiking and sightseeing along a variety of epically beautiful trails, including La Amistad Waterfall Trail, Cerro Punta Trail, or the Millenio Trail. All trails will have guides. Day three is all about coffee. We will visit the farms of Cafe Duran, the largest coffee supplier in Panama, and learn how coffee is grown, harvested, and processed. Then, we will visit the specialized farms of Café del Fino, which grows coffee inside of the volcano itself. The following day, we will travel over the Cordillera Central, the mountain range that separates the Pacific and the Caribbean throughout Central America, and descend into Bocas del Toro.

Bocas del Toro: Arriving from Chiriqui, we will begin our tour of the Caribbean by taking a short boat ride from the mainland to the archipelago of Bocas del Toro, and the main island of Isla Colon. Featured excursions during the first day include exploring caves, visiting the Smithsonian Research Station, and enjoying the beaches of Bocas del Drago. By nightfall, we will reach our home base of the Hotel Caribbean View, a locally owned hotel on the island of Bastimentos. Our second day in Bocas del Toro will highlight regional banana operations. We will travel by boat from Isla Bastimentos to Changuinola, via sea and river, to tour Panama's largest producers of bananas. Next, we will follow the banana as it travels from the farm to the port city of Almirante, where it is shipped worldwide. Our final day in Bocas del Toro includes tours of the archipelago with stops at Dolphin Bay and the deserted islands of Zapatilla, where we will enjoy the beach, eat coconuts, and snorkel in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean. The following day, we will travel via air back to Panama City for the final Reflection workshop and the conclusion of Humantropic Adventures Panama, 2012.

Travel Types

• Eco Tours
• Ecology
• Environmental Studies
• Language Immersion
• RainForest Tours
• Snorkeling
• Volunteering

Type of Programs

• Adventure Travel
• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Cultural Exploration
• Language Immersion

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

3500.00

Program Fees Include:

* Housing
* 3 meals per day
* Transportation in Panama
* Fees for excursions and tours
* Curriculum and materials

Does not include airfare to or from students' home countries.

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 5

Application Process Involves

• Essay
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-2 weeks

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Humantropic Adventures Panama's Mission Statement

To guide learners in an inspired and structured exploration of Panama, as a venue for cultural and language immersion, service, reflection, and change. We strive to bridge different points of view while embracing the power of cross-cultural exchange, cooperation, and critical thought in order to purposefully enhance scholarly and personal growth.

Year Founded

2012