A once in a lifetime experience! January 17, 2025
By Claire C (Politics and Environmental Science, University of San Francisco) - abroad from 09/02/2024 to 12/15/2024 with
SIT Study Abroad: Panama - Tropical Ecology, Marine Ecosystems, and Biodiversity Conservation
I gained life skills and a set of professional skills I can apply to future jobs. I was one of the few students who didn't have a STEM major. My major is politics with a minor in environmental science and I learned so much relating to environmental and social justice. Also, the field work associated with each module provides important skill sets. You experience so much in such a short time, it can be a lot at first, but you're always learning. This program is truly so special, that it's hard to describe in a couple sentences.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This course is academically challenging and I learned so much. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved all my homestays. My host families were so sweet and accommodating, as I am gluten and lactose-intolerant. I definitely had to advocate for myself at times as not everyone understands what it means to be gluten and lactose-intolerant, but all my host families were understanding and provided me with the proper food I could eat. |
| * Food: |
The majority of the meals I ate consisted of rice, beans, and a protein, which was great. I love patacones, which are flattened, fried plantains. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The most immersed you get is with your home stays, which were one of my favorite parts of the program. My group went out frequently, trying different coffee shops, I recommend Cafe Mentiritas Blancas in Panama City, and restaurants. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had an experience with needing access to healthcare and Aly was super helpful. The SIT staff will assist you with whatever issue you may be having, but make sure to be honest with how you are feeling and express the severity of the situation. When on an excursion it's best not to push yourself. |
| * Safety: |
|
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved everything about this program. I grew so much during this program and I'm so grateful for everything I experienced. Panama is a beautiful country and I'm so grateful I got to experience so much of the country. The program is definitely draining at times as you move around frequently and almost always have homework, but it's so rewarding in the end. |
Finances
|
* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
SIT provides a stipend |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent about |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would save at least 500 dollars of your own personal money for this program in case any unexpected medical incidents occur or if you run out of your stipend. About half of the students in my program ran out of their stipend a couple weeks before we got our second stipend. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
The classes are taught in English, so Spanish was not really spoken when in class. I spoke Spanish the most at my homestays and when out in Panama. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Fourth Semester Spanish |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | If you can take a Spanish class before the program starts that would be best so you have all the basics of Spanish down. However, practicing Spanish the summer or winter before your program starts, so that you have some commonly used phrases memorized will be sufficient for the program. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Bring plenty of medicine to assist with stomach-related issues. Only bring Tylenol, not Advil. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
