SIT Panama: Immersive, Unique, and Memorable June 05, 2023

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Each class was remarkably informative and educational given the generally fast pace of the program and limited time in each different location. I consider myself more of a hands-on learner and this program provided a very engaging educational experience, mixing in field work and experimentation to many of its classes and units. Coursework is not overly rigorous, but can be difficult to stay on top of with constant travel. Luckily, professors are generally very lenient and understanding of these constraints, so the overall feel is not too intense. All classes are led by qualified professionals and well supplied with resources to provide a great educational experience.

On-site administration of your program

The in-country staff members are very qualified and dedicated to the success of this program. They work hard to make all students feel included and are skilled at adapting to various unforeseen challenges as they come up.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Living accommodations were generally quite nice. This program involves a mix of homestay living (living in the homes of Panamanian families) and living in hotels and hostels. While the homestay households span a range of socioeconomic backgrounds so different standards of living can be expected, this experience is great for learning about Panamanian culture firsthand and practicing the Spanish language. Getting to try home-cooked Panamanian cuisine is also a huge plus. The hotels were overall very nice, several of them were quite luxurious and generally they provide a pleasant living experience.

Overall, the food was very good but food variety and quality was sometimes slightly lacking due to the circumstances of the area being visited. The program makes a strong effort to accommodate students with dietary restrictions and special diets, though sometimes vegetarian options were slightly lacking. Generally, this program introduced students to many new foods and Panamanian classic dishes and the food was enjoyable.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

This program provided countless opportunities for culture immersion in a truly special manner. Students are able to live with families in a variety of different communities, including some indigenous groups, and are encouraged to engage with their families to learn more about Panamanian culture. The course professors are also Panamanian, helping with cultural immersion. Spanish classes are given to all students, even those with no prior Spanish knowledge, so everyone has a chance to immerse themselves in local culture. In taking this program, I was able to integrate myself with local culture far beyond my expectations and more than I could with perhaps any other study abroad program.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

While I did not require any healthcare assistance during this program, students that required it received help quickly and effectively. Staff are well trained to deal with injuries and medical problems as they arise and quickly get students the help they need in these situations.

Generally, I felt very safe during this program. Students were well informed of potential dangers and dangerous areas to avoid throughout the duration of the program. While there is slight risk of theft and crime staying in larger cities, as is typical in general, these areas felt generally safe and there were no major incidents. For the sake of safety and caution, it is advised to generally travel with at least one other student and not carry your valuables with you if possible.

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

I was pleasantly surprised by how little I had to spend from my own pocket over the course of this program. The program provides several generous stipends for food costs that covered the fast majority of my eating expenses on the trip. Generally, food is substantially cheaper in Panama as well.

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

It was not required to use Spanish often during the program, but generally the program is designed for students to be able to practice their Spanish whenever they desire. There are many opportunities to do so, like with homestay families, spanish classes, or during travel, but students are not intensely encouraged to use Spanish, especially if they are not very comfortable with it.

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• Host Family
• Hotel
• Hostel

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• Americans
• Host Family

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• Americans

• Living with homestay families
• Traveling to a variety of locations and hidden gems
• Independent Study project, allowing students to do research wherever they want about whatever they choose

• Some Tropical Ecology modules were slightly too difficult or affected by language barrier
• Some logistical communication

The Avid Adventurer