SIT Study Abroad: Panama: Tropical Ecology, Marine Ecosystem

During my semester abroad, I developed my Spanish skills and learned a lot about the world of research and conservation. During the final month, students complete a self-designed independent research project of their choosing. For me, this time was the most valuable of the entire trip.

This program was an amazing experience and I'm so grateful and glad I was able to be a part of it. The academics of the program are rigorous, but I learned so much and gained a mass of new skill sets. The setup of the program is a mix of lectures and fieldwork. The professors of each module are passionate about what they do and it is clearly reflected in the way they teach the materials. It's hard to say which module was my favorite, all were so unique and I learned so much. My biggest takeaway from the modules was to not procrastinate the assignments, and try to get them done in a timely manner as you move around a lot. Aly, Yari, and Yuri are amazing! It's definitely nerve-wracking going to a new country with people you've never met before, but everyone is in the same position and you get close to one another quickly. A recommendation, based on my group's general experience, is to bring a hefty amount of over-the-counter medicine, especially for stomach-related issues, and Tylenol instead of Advil! As for the homestays within the program, that was my favorite part of the program! They helped my Spanish speaking skills so much and it was so special to be apart of different families homes. All my host families were so sweet and all had pets, which helped immensely whenever I got homesick. Regarding dietary restrictions, I am lactose and gluten intolerant, and for the most part, the homestays were very accommodating, but you do have to advocate for yourself and let your host parents know your dietary restrictions. Overall, this program is amazing. It definitely can be draining at times, as you move around a lot and almost always have homework, but it is so worth it in every way and I hope to go back to Panama one day!

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I gained an incredibly amount of knowledge and understanding inside and outside of the classroom. I felt challenged to look beyond the curriculum I'd been presented with at my home institution at the people and environments at the heart of tropical ecology. I was immersed in both local communities in Panama and in a community of SIT students which not only made me feel at home, but also safe and supported. There was a great mixture of rigor in the classroom and experiential learning! The first excursion (3 weeks of travel) is dedicated to the human ecology class, where you have a lot more free, unstructured time. The second excursion is geared towards comparative tropical ecology, which is very very structured but still integrates experiential learning well! Living arrangements varied WILDLY during the program-- there were four total homestays and I don't know how many hostels and hotels. Even when the living conditions weren't what we take for granted in the U.S. (no AC, no hot water, shared rooms, no showers, etc), we were typically staying in the best living arrangements available in an area. The homestays were all wonderful and contributed to my integration into different areas, especially the homestay in Panama City. Integration was good throughout, though it definitely depended on the person. Some people made a big effort to integrate and practice their Spanish, which helped with integration, while others struggled more. I would definitely recommend studying Spanish before arriving (I did not), because most of my homestays were majority/all Spanish speakers.

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I found SIT Panama to be exactly what I was looking for in a study abroad program. The excursions let us see a wide array of biomes across the country and introduced us to tons of wonderful people. SIT Panama is heavily experience-based in the teaching style, which worked great for me, and I'll never forget my time wading through streams looking for frogs at night or spending days snorkeling in the reefs of Guna Yala. The student culture in my cohort was always quite positive which made for a great community. Even as an introvert I felt that I was able to connect with my fellow students, host families, and other local Panamanians. The ISP (independent study project) at the end of the program is pretty intense but I found it to be some of the happiest weeks of my life. I loved getting to spend hours on end snorkeling, learning to ID marine invertebrates (the focus of my specific project), and completing my write-up while staying with a bunch of my SIT friends. Overall this program was excellent and if I could go back in time I would definitely choose to do it again.

This program pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way! I grew so much as a person and as a scientist. The people truly made the place. The excursions and adventures were so much fun. Disconnecting from my life at home and social media allowed be to take in the experience. Panama is a beautiful country. I was exposed to traditional ecological knowledge.

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Don't miss out on this opportunity! If you're at all considering this program, I highly recommend it! I learned so much from this program, academically, socially, and culturally. This program taught me to step out of my comfort zone, be comfortable with not knowing the road ahead, and made me much more confident interacting with new people. The educational opportunities this program offers are like no other, from snorkeling in the Carribean and studying fish and coral reefs, to doing research on frogs at night in the forests of El Valle. There are so many incredible opportunities for cultural immersion in this program, some of my favorites being all the homestays and the fun activities we did on free days during excursions. You will come out of this program a much more well-rounded, culturally educated person, and you will undoubtedly meet people that will become your friends for life!

This program was a once in a lifetime opportunity and one I will never forget. I had the opportunity to fully immerse myself in the Panamanian culture through our travels and home-stays. I was able to build connections with the families I stayed with, in addition to the other students in the program with me. I also had the opportunity to study things I otherwise would not be able to at my home institution. Being able to conduct field work in a country as diverse as Panama was truly unforgettable!

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I can't say enough good things about this program. It truly changed my perspective of the world and of myself. I learned so much not only in the classroom, but in the forest, the streets, the bus, and everywhere else as well. This program is the epitome of experiential and place-based learning, and I will carry the things I learned while abroad with me for the rest of my life in my career and my personal life. I'd recommend anyone who's open to trying new things and meeting new people to do this program.

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I cannot recommend SIT Panama enough. I gained a broader perspective on life, especially learning about people from different backgrounds than my own, and a deeper understanding of the overlap between environmental and social themes. I learned so much about Panamanian culture, Panama's biodiversity, and myself. The program is rigorous and you are constantly learning, whether that is through fieldwork, conversations with homestay families, or community interactions. SIT provides unique opportunities for experiential learning, and Panama is an amazing place to study environmental topics. The program staff goes above and beyond to make students feel supported throughout the semester. Two of my facilitators were Panamanian and one had lived in Panama for over 20 years- all three were very familiar with Panamanian culture and norms, and well-positioned to give students advice about living in the country. The program was well-run and thoroughly planned out. SIT's connections to different communities across the country provided invaluable opportunities. The homestays were my favorite part of the program. In most of the places we traveled, including Panama City, we stayed with local families. Learning about their lives, sharing parts of my life, and generally spending time together was an amazing way to learn about Panamanian culture. It was also a great opportunity to practice Spanish skills. I loved trying Panamanian food and the regional variations throughout the semester. The home-cooked meals at the homestays were delicious and really showed how much the host families cared about the students (one of my host dads would arrange our fruit into a smiley face every morning). I personally ate meat during the semester but it is possible to be vegetarian in Panama, although some host families may be a little confused by the request. Staying in the homestay families and attending Spanish classes at the university in Panama City helped me connect with locals and immerse myself culturally. All of the families I stayed with were excited to spend time with me and I loved talking and hanging out with them. At times traveling in a large group made it harder to integrate into the local culture, but the SIT staff has established relationships with many communities across the country, all of whom were very welcoming to us. Living alone or with smaller groups during the ISP period is also a great opportunity to more fully integrate into the culture. I felt safe across the country. I ran by myself in almost every place we visited and I felt safe doing so. I always checked with program staff and my host families before I went on a run and I brought my phone with me, and I would suggest future students do the same if they want to run/walk. I also took the bus across Panama by myself (about 10 hours) and I felt safe. Like any study abroad, parts of this program were challenging. However, SIT Panama offers unique experiences that helped me grow as an environmental science student, independent researcher, and conscious citizen of the world.

With SIT Panama, I grew in every imaginable way! Most notably, I have so much more confidence in my capabilities as a student, and as a thinker. Being a student is hard! I am more driven than ever to put myself into the work I am doing, and the work I will do after I graduate. My classmates and the people I was surrounded by while in Panama were so inspiring to me. I believe in myself as a woman, as a student, and as a budding environmental scientist, and I wouldn't feel such strength if it weren't for my time in Panama. Educational Experience Before arriving to Panamá, I understood that SIT is an organization dedicated to immersive, challenging, and rewarding experiences. I am the type of student that may struggle under academic pressure, depending on the circumstances. During my time with SIT in Panamá, I completed rigorous assignments, weekly studies with fieldwork, and an independent research project, and at no point did I feel incapable. Between my professors, my advisor, and my classmates I was inspired, supported, and motivated as a student. Program Administration During the Fall '23 semester, the program was directed by Aly Dagang with support from two other employees of SIT, Yari and Yuri. All three women are from Panamá, and were so supportive and kind throughout the semester. Because of movements happening in the country during that time, we encountered a number of challenges in transportation, scheduling, and housing throughout the semester. All three women handled situations with grace and strength, and stood has excellent models for us as students/learners. Housing and Food During this specific program, Panama - Tropical Ecology, Marine Ecosystems, and Biodiversity Conservation, we spent much of our time traveling around the country! It was fantastic, and every moment was sweeter than the next. Housing varied from hostels, hotels, cabins, and homestays. All accommodations were enjoyable, and all were very different. Living in different places is a great way to experience a country, especially one as mosaic as Panamá. Homestays are particularly special, in that you get to experience what life is like in that country. New people become your family when you have been away from your own for so long, and you begin to establish a global community. I will never forget hugs, meals, activities, and smiles shared between myself and my host families. Food makes up a large part of a person's international experience, no matter where you may be. I am personally a fan of all food, and enjoy trying new things! A typical plate in Panamá may have been rice, beans, sweet or fried plantains, protein like chicken or fish, and maybe some other sort of vegetable, like potato and beet salad or slaw. I never went hungry! There were times where my body was wishing for a little more diversity or a little more vegetable content, but those desires are softened by the experience of it all. It is something to be aware of, but not something to avoid. The international experience is made special by things like this! Social and Cultural Integration A large part of SIT's mission, at least in this program, is to introduce students to the country as learners, listeners, and open-hearted visitors. To spend a semester in another country is a very special experience that not all have access to! In Panamá, I felt very welcomed, in general, by the people in the communities we visited. We went to a number of places that varied from heavily touristed to not frequently visited by outsiders at all. Ultimately, the social and cultural integration is what you make it. There are lectures on this subject during orientation that discuss what to expect, what not to expect, common phrases, customs and things like that. It is up to you as a student and traveler to put those things into action! Based on what I have experienced, people love it when visitors make an effort to appreciate their culture and customs. It may seem daunting at first but it is a great way to maximize your international experience! I put four out of five stars here because I did experience some imperfect situations in Panama City. Panama City is large, NYC in many ways, and so it is not abnormal to experience city-like things. People were generally less friendly here than in rural areas, but nothing particularly violent or negative. Health and Safety I was greatly impressed by how health was handled during this program! Firstly, Panamá has great healthcare. Secondly, our three program leaders were fantastic in taking care of us! It is exhausting to travel abroad and complete school work at the same time. Our needs in terms of mental health and energy were entirely respected and understood. At one point in the semester, I had a pretty bad stomach bug for a few days. My host mother was supportive, and my program director gave me probiotics that healed me right away. Other students may have had needs that required doctor's visits, and all expressed satisfaction. Students were accompanied by one of three leaders for support to doctor's visits. Overall, healthcare was very well taken care of and there was no point where I felt stranded or unseen in my needs. Panamá is generally very friendly! However, like most places, there are a couple things that people should be mindful about. For example, I had my phone stolen on a bus! I was told during orientation, do not make your phone accessible, especially on public transit. I left it in my book bag pocket and it was stolen on my way off the bus. In retrospect, it's a fun story to add to my study abroad experience, but it is not enjoyable in the moment. I advise people to be mindful of their surroundings, mindful of their belongings, and take the advice of your leaders! During this specific semester, there were also protests happening across the country. Except for one single incident, these protests fostered no violence. In fact, I was very inspired by the way the Panamanians unified to make their voices heard. But in terms of safety, I never felt at risk or vulnerable, even when the entire country was in protest. Also and again, the leaders are incredibly supportive and mindful when it comes to the safety of the group.

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This program is perfect for hands-on learners, avid travelers, and those passionate about environmental issues. Even those who are not focused on environmental topics will enjoy their trip across this beautiful country. Over the course of the program, students visit dozens of different locations in Panama, including multiple indigenous areas. Students are also given the unique opportunity to spend several weeks living in the homes of Panamanian families for a truly immersive cultural experience. Additionally, the program ends with a month-long independent research project where students can travel wherever they want in Panama, focusing on a research topic of their choice. This program effectively balances academics with hands-on experiences to provide a highly engaging and educational study abroad experience. Overall, I strongly recommend SIT Panama.

I cannot recommend this program enough. To start, the advisors when you get there are the most wonderful humans you will ever meet. Aly is a great listener, friend, and educator. The people of Panama are warm and welcoming. If you are looking to get better at Spanish, there are so many opportunities to bond with your home stay families and really hone your skills. I became very close with some of my home stay families and still keep in touch 3 years later. If you want to eat amazing food cooked by locals, this is also the program for you! I tell people that I learned more in the 4 months I was there than in my whole 4 years in college. Studying abroad in Panama was an experience that I still think about regularly.

Coming back to the US, my biggest struggle has been summing up my experience in Panama in a semester or two. It was such a wonderful semester that left me with lifelong friends, beautiful pictures, a more laid back attitude, and so many happy memories. We saw and learned about basically every ecosystem type in the country, and were constantly learning about Panamanian culture and the Spanish language as we navigated through the city and home stays. The workload was rigorous but nicely incorporated in the curriculum, and everything was wrapped up nicely at the end of the semester as everyone gave their independent study presentations. The in-country staff members for SIT are wonderful, and I felt very cared for the whole time. I've never felt more connected with nature, and my life has certainly changed for the better after being challenged every day. Go--you won't regret it.

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Academically, SIT demands a fair amount of students while offering resources and emotional support. We stayed with 5 different host families throughout the country, which was an incredible experience! Our Tropical Ecology professors were Panamanian, which was a great experience. On the program, integration into local culture can be at whatever level the student wants. I was able to get to know local Panamanians, and felt quite integrated in their culture! I loved the travel that we did across the country and our subsequent exposure to the different areas and ecosystems that Panama possesses. The variety of lessons, professors, and the number of field work skills that I gained have given me such a good sense of what I can do in the ecology research field. I learned many environmental research methods, made some great friends, and learned about my own independence and capability for traveling.

This experience was incredible. The best parts were: learning while actually doing things like snorkeling and researching coral. Traveling a lot throughout the country and seeing different types of ecosystems and cultures. Staying in homes and making connections with people from entirely different worlds. Experiencing incredible adventures with people who are just as excited about them as you are. Seeing the incredible Panamanian jungles, ocean, mountains, rivers, cloud forests, desert, etc. Taking time to have fun and do crazy incredible things on the free days like going to hot springs or islands. Watching yourself grow and change. It was intense and absolutely beautiful. To anyone considering this program, do it. It was paradise.

If I were to start all over with the study abroad process, I would absolutely chose this program again. I was able to travel through every corner of Panama (which is remarkably diverse culturally and geographically, much to my surprise!), to delve deeply into environmental and developmental issues, to gain new cultural perspectives through several homestays, and to challenge myself academically while still enjoying plenty of free time. This program helped me to grow academically and personally, and I had an absolute blast while doing so!

There are plenty of study abroad programs where you get college credit to hang out on a beach all day and skip class. This is not one of those trips. What makes SIT Panama so incredible is that, instead of being based at a university, you travel all over the country. And professors pre-eminent in their fields come to you. Imagine having an introductory session with a world-renowned corals expert, and then putting on your fins and snorkelling with him on a Carribean archipelago. Or reading about the Naso people of Panama (the only monarchy in the western hemisphere) and then living in a homestay in a Naso village. We saw more of Panama than most Panamanians and I feel extraordinarily connected to the country. The trip is a great balance of fun and challenging. And it only whet my appetite for more international study and travel.

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This program exceeded my expectations, which were already pretty high when I went. I was nervous to live with homestays, but it was one of the most valuable parts, really getting to connect with people and my Spanish improved so much because of it! We saw so much of the country, a huge range of environments, topics of discussion, and lifestyles. All the classwork involved working hands-on, such as helping plant lettuce with local organic farmers, learning about medicinal plants with the indigenous Naso people, or interviewing lobster divers about management policies. The friendships I made on this program were also so strong and valuable, because you are all getting to experience this incredible country and challenge yourselves together, with plenty of support, guidance, and thoughtfulness.

My most memorable experience was snorkeling the in the Caribbean Ocean near the San Blas Islands. This program afforded me the opportunity to study the environment through a sociological and a biological lens. While in Panama City we lived with out main host families and when we traveled across the country we lived in hostels or with other host families.

I learned so much about myself while studying in Panama. I became more confidant and open to trying new experiences. I am very thankful that I had the opportunity to study abroad and would definitely go back.