Immersive Experience Exploring Panamanian Culture and Ecology Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The academics were lacking but that was okay because it allowed students to focus more on active learning rather than test-taking and paper writing.

On-site administration of your program

He was disorganized, lectured poorly (teaching us obvious things as if they were monumental and neglecting to inform us of important information we really needed to know), and irresponsible. He has good connections to help students connect with advisers for projects, but he waits until it's too late to start contacting them.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved all of the homestays I had. They were all very welcoming and friendly. Other students didn't like it as much. There should be a greater emphasis on the fact that there are so many homestays in this program since many students didn't seem to realize it. There should also be more guidance on how to interact with homestay families respectfully.

The families obviously prepared meals as best as they could. However, many students struggled with allergies and vegetarianism throughout the trip. More emphasis on homestay families to be aware of such food restrictions could help.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

This was the best part of the program, very well done. Interacting with locals and seeing all different aspects and areas of life in Panama.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had bad back pain one morning and told my director I was going to sit out on all of the days activities (swimming/snorkeling). After a day of rest my back was better. Other students were not so lucky. One girl sprained her foot badly and our director continued to instruct her to walk on it to participate in activities when she obviously should not have been putting weight on it at all. Then he avoids taking her to the doctor despite her constant requests and only finally did when someone else got a bad stomach bug. Another girl got a parasite during finals week and our director avoided taking her to the doctor until everyone had finished with their presentations, and when he finally did he just dropped her off at the hospital (she only had second level spanish). I know that the schedule is tight, but there must be a greater focus on taking students who are sick to the hospital or the doctor whenever necessary (even if it is the middle of presentation week or during a day when we have to travel).

Walking from the homestay community to the main street to catch a taxi when going out at night was sometimes frightening. Remind students to drink responsibly and walk together whenever possible.

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

They often paid us only $3 for breakfast and lunch and $4 for dinner but then would take us by bus to places that were tourist-y where lunch cost $7 and dinner cost $10. More money allocations are needed for food expenses.

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

This program says it does not have a language requirement. This is crap. The majority of the professors don't speak English. Spanish should be a requirement for this program. The majority of students knew barely any Spanish and struggled constantly while the few of us who were nearly fluent were bored often.

Select all that apply

• Host Family
• Hotel

Select all that apply

• Americans

Select all that apply

• Americans

• immersion in the culture
• good homestays
• lots of traveling

• organization
• listening to student feedback
• better coordinator

The Academic or Linguist