Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An amazing semester all around Panama May 15, 2023

By (Ecology, Evolution Biology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/23/2023 to 05/07/2023 with

SIT Study Abroad: Panama - Tropical Ecology, Marine Ecosystems, and Biodiversity Conservation

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I had an incredible semester seeing some of the most amazing things and places that I've ever seen all while learning about ecology and conservation. It really was amazing and I would do it again in a heartbeat. The travel aspect of this program was what made it so amazing, since trips to some of the best parts of Panama were planned for us and fit into our coursework.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

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

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Traveling
  • Host families
* What could be improved?
  • Support for ISP
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Since this program requires no previous Spanish experience, you will not really be forced to use it outside of Spanish class and being with your host family. This means a lot of time is spent with U.S. students speaking English. I thought my Spanish speaking would improve more than it did, though there are opportunities to engage more during ISP and if you make an effort yourself to speak to Panamanians.