Environmental Studies Study Abroad Programs in Panama

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.

Seamester was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but also the most rewarding. Living on a boat, sailing every day, and diving in some of the most incredible places in the world pushed me far outside my comfort zone and helped me grow so much as a person. The dives were unforgettable, the sailing taught me resilience and teamwork, and the people made it all worth it. I met some of my closest friends and made memories I’ll carry with me forever. It challenged me, changed me, and gave me experiences I never could have had anywhere else. I’m so grateful I did it.

Seamester was a last minute decision for me, kind of came out of nowhere. Best decision I could have made. I met 30 incredible people that I am happy to report are some of my closest friends now. This trip was so fun but also extremely difficult. I wouldn’t change my experience for the world though. Thank you Seamester.

What this trip gave me was unreplicatable experiences. I got to live on a boat for 90 days with like-minded individuals, and do things and go places that most people will never be able to. We crossed the Panama Canal, got to scuba dive in Galápagos, and had a special ceremony as we crossed the equator. We visited many remote islands that would be hard to get to otherwise. We sailed the Pacific, and went eighteen days without seeing land. And as we were doing it all, we studied marine biology and oceanography, learned what it meant to be a sailor, and how to be a leader. This is a once in a lifetime experience, and I’m grateful for every story I have brought home with me.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Seamester was the adventure of a lifetime. I went into it not knowing how to sail but wanting to learn, and came out of it not only with that knowledge, but also with memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me so many new things about myself. The staff members were amazing with their teaching and support, especially when times got rough. Their diligence ensured we all made it safely across the pacific. I also loved the places we visited, with my favorites being the Galapagos, Mo'orea, and the Panama Canal. The class schedule could be challenging at times, and waking up for watch in the middle of the night was definitely not my strong suit, but overall I had an amazing semester. I couldn't recommend Seamester enough and I'm so grateful for this wonderful experience.

I am so thankful for this once in a lifetime opportunity. This is something I will never forget and will always have this story to tell. However no one outside of this program will ever understand the true meaning because they did not experience it the same way I did. They were not there. I have attempted to explain the jokes or stories we told but very little people understood it like the crew on Argo did. The staff and students were the nicest people I have ever met, I know I made lifelong friends. From swimming with manta rays to midnight watch during a long passage, to cleaning the boat and making her sparkle. We made every moment fun. We always turned something that the staff told us wasn't going to be that fun (for example boat appreciation or clean up after meals) into dance parties. There was never a dull moment.

This trip has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience and something I will never forget. I have made so many lifelong friends that I will continue to keep in touch with and see again. Sea|Mester is the greatest thing I have ever done. It opened my eyes in so many different ways and has made me change in so many great ways. I made many great memories I will cherish forever. All the staff was incredibly kind and made sure all of my needs were taken care of. I could talk to the staff about anything and always had fun talking with them. The staff treated us as equals which was super nice. All the classes were taught very well and every teacher was very passionate about their course. For me, the most valuable aspect was the social factor. I was pretty nervous coming into this trip about meeting new people and broadening my social circles. I have always been anxious about introductions and showing people my true self and this trip helped me so much. This trip allowed me to be myself and unlock a part of me I didn’t know I had. Everyone embraced me for who I was, which was great. I owe a great deal of this trip to my fellow crew members who were so kind and funny. Sea|Mester is awesome. Don’t change anything. This trip is probably the greatest thing I’ve ever done and I’ll remember it forever. I have lifelong friends all over the world now.

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.

I took a gap year after high school and chose to spend my Fall onboard S/Y Argo and sail from Palau, through Indonesia, to Bangkok Thailand. I had some scuba diving experience, but had never even been aboard a sailboat before. The Seamester staff was supportive and amazing. I made some of my strongest friendships and had the most amazing experiences, from diving with oceanic manta rays to long night watches sailing through the rough South China Seas. I learned so much about diving, sailing, and marine sciences, as well as so much about myself as a person. I would recommend Seamester to anyone considering it!

There are no words to describe the multitude of experiences I had as a crewmember of Vela. A 23-day Pacific Ocean Crossing (right after the once-in-a-lifetime adventure of going through the Panama Canal) is a trip I will never forget. Waking up in the middle of the night for watch, with a team of eight other newly made best friends is such a unique experience. Nothing could have prepared me for the beautiful stars I saw out in the middle of the ocean, and the amazing bonds I made with my peers and staff!

This was an incredible experience, starting from enrolling in the program until the very last day of the trip. The support while preparing for this adventure could not have been better. The Global Expedition Group staff was absolutely amazing and answered all my questions very quickly and were very flexible. I realized how closely they followed us during the trip and how hard they worked to make everything happen as smoothly as possible when we had to turn back during the trip due to the broken propeller (oups). I still remember the day I arrived on board as if it was yesterday. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I soon realized that I wasn't alone in this. The group soon became like a second family to me. We followed and supported each other through this adventure until we became our own little community in the middle of the ocean. We learned to appreciate waking up at midnight for our watch under the stars. We learned the rope, the sailing, the hard work that sailors seem to enjoy so much. We adapted to new situations and surprises. I would say, one of my highlight of this amazing adventure was caused by an unforeseeable event: we had to turn back because our propeller broke while underway to the Galapagos. The sailing that followed was challenging, yet amazing. This whole situation made our group stronger. We manage our way to the Galapagos with a few days delay, but I wouldn't change any of the trip. If this trip have learned me one thing, it would be that the best things come from the unplanned situations. To make it short, this whole trip was absolutely incredible. From day 1 to day 90, strangers became family, the new crew of Vela. Through our busy days, we made friends that challenges brought closer. We swam with dolphins, turtles and sea lions. We came up after every dive with a broad smile and new stories to tell. Diving and sailing in different places, countries and oceans opened up our eyes on this unique world of ours. Our staffs was the heart of the crew and worked with us to make Vela our home. She still is part of me and will always be. We didn't even see the last day come by, and in a matter of hours filled with laughter and crying, we say our goodbyes to Vela and the crew, hearts full of unforgettable memories.

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.