Uneventful but Appreciated Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

STEM classes are difficult. While smaller class sizes and classrooms are helpful, you still need to be prepared for extensive studying and work. It all depends on the classes you take, but higher level Calculus and Physics is very time consuming. My Spanish, English, and Geography classes were less demanding.

On-site administration of your program

I haven't had much experience but they are very reliant on the rules of the Tallahassee main campus and the local administration's word is always overridden. My friend tried to drop a class which was ok'd by the Panama administration but she later found out Tallahassee did not allow it. Always check with Tallahassee.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We got a TV and a balcony which is very nice, but it feels very metallic and bland. Not a very homey feel. There's cleaning service one day a week where you must leave the room from 9am-noon. This is nice but annoying if you do not have class and want to sleep in.

Learn how to cook. Plan to spend between $30 and $100 depending on the week at the grocery store that you are shuttled to on Friday afternoon. Usually I spend around $50. If you buy alcohol, add another $10. Also, the shared fridge smells very bad because people don't throw out their rotten food. Make sure your food is sealed in a container or it will absorb the bad aroma of the fridge. P.S. When you open the fridge, hold your breath.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It is very easy, living with a group of Americans and some other international students, that you inhibit yourself from integrating with the culture. However, I made local friends from school living outside the dorms that I hung out with. This is all on you. If you want to integrate with the local culture, you need to make the effort to make Panamanian friends from school. It is very easy to isolate yourself with the friends you make in the dorms.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Upon admission to Florida State, you already have a health care plan with the university. If an emergency arrises, as it did for me after cutting my finger in the kitchen, the RA/administration will make sure your medical needs are satisfied. For me, I was driven to the Emergency Room where I was well taken care of by an excellent medical staff.

Although there are dangerous parts of Panama City, many of which you will travel through on the was to Casco Viejo for nightlife activities, the dorms are in a very safe location. At no time did I feel concerned for my safety on campus.

While I would have preferred to spend my whole 3 semesters in Spain, Panama was my only option for my STEM major. I wouldn't want to go through it again, but it's an experience that I am grateful.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

The bulk of your money will be spent at the grocery store. You can get by at $100 a week, but that can easily go up from the cost of eating out and going to the clubs. It is your responsibility to make a budget.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

The program did not help students to speak Spanish, but it can be learned in basic classes. It's up to you to put yourself out there and speak the language. Most students during my time in Panama did not have an interest in learning and speaking the local language.

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• Dorm

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• Nightlife
• Local Students
• Weather

• Living Arangements
• Needs a More Lively Atmosphere

The Academic or Linguist