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Location
  • Panama
Length
2 - 12 weeks
Classroom Audience
Early Childhood

Program Details

Qualifications
  • Native English-speaker or C2 level English-speaker
  • Aged 21-40 years
  • Bachelor's degree preferable but not mandatory
Classroom Audience
Early Childhood
Housing
Guesthouse
Weekly Classroom Hours
8
Age Min.
20
Age Max
40

Pricing

Salary / Benefits
As a volunteer-style program, this is an unpaid working arrangement however you do get other benefits:

- Comprehensive pre-departure support to prepare you for your trip
- 24/7 in-country support from once you arrive
- Furnished accommodation (communal)
- 3 Home-cooked meals, 4 days per week
- Airport pickup
- 2 Nights accommodation with a city tour in Panama City
- 3 day weekends to use to explore the country
Starting Price
2100
Price Details
Once accepted onto the program, we require a $500 deposit to secure your spot and the remainder of the program fees are payable 6 weeks prior to departure.

Teaching for 4 weeks: $2100
Teaching for 6 weeks: $2600
Teaching for 8 weeks: $3100
Teaching for 12 weeks: $4100
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Airport Transfers Some Meals Transportation Wifi
What's Not Included
Some Activities Some Meals SIM cards Travel Insurance Visa
Mar 06, 2020
Mar 03, 2020
Wish List
8 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Volunteer as an English teacher in the quiet seaside town of Pedasí, Panama. 4 Hours from Panama City, this quaint rural town is surrounded by rustic beaches - the perfect spot to be stationed while you teach English to students aged 6-12 after school.

You'll work 4 days per week (Monday to Thursday) in the afternoons meaning you'll have long weekends each week to explore Panama's stunning countryside. Your accommodation is communal and included in the price, along with 3 home-cooked meals per day, Monday to Thursday. You'll also get airport pickup and 2 days of accommodation with a city tour in Panama City!

And, of course, you'll get our comprehensive pre-departure support to help you get ready for the trip plus 24/7 in-country support for anything that might happen once on the ground and even to help you plan a trip on those long weekends!

This program is no longer offered. View more programs from TravelBud.

Video and Photos

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Teaching children in Panama
Teach 4 afternoons per week in Panama
Be based in a coastal town in Panama

Program Highlights

  • Work just 4 afternoons per week teaching English.
  • Be based in the quaint costal town of Pedasí, 4 hours from Panama City.
  • Have long weekends every weekend to explore this exciting country.
  • Accommodation included with 3 home-cooked meals on school days.
  • Get airport pickup with 2 nights accommodation and city tour on arrival.

Current Teaching Jobs

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Program Reviews

3.00 Rating
based on 2 reviews
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  • Benefits 3
  • Support 3
  • Fun 3
  • Facilities 3
  • Safety 3.5
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Default avatar
Sherry
United States
1/5
No, I don't recommend this program

Teaching in Panama with TeachPTY

Mar 3, 2020

Bait and Switch. Not worth the value. This program did not provide the services listed on the website. Travelbud did not provide 24/7 support after I arrived in Panama and did not request feedback after I completed the program. The TeachPTY host changed the agenda each week employing others to teach during the time I was supposed to be teaching English to the students.

My attempts to provide feedback to Teach PTY and Travelbud have been ignored.

Why should someone pay to "volunteer" while others make a profit?

What would you improve about this program?
Don't charge so much money to volunteer, honor what was promised to the volunteers. Be honest and upfront if the agenda changes, so the volunteer has plenty of time to adjust or change plans. Be respectful, listen to both sides without judgement and offer refunds of the contract was breached (as it was in my circumstances)
46 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Response from TravelBud

Hi Sherry,

Thank you for your feedback. As mentioned over email, we are very sad to hear that you felt your experience on our Panama program did not live up to your expectations and are sorry that you did not accept our offer to speak over the phone and hear your feedback.

As you know, TravelBud offered this program through our in-country volunteer partner in Panama, Teach PTY, where TravelBud provides the majority of the pre-arrival support and Teach PTY provides all the in-country services which includes things like airport pickup, accommodation, volunteer activities, meals, and 24/7 in-country support.

Saskia provided you with full pre-arrival support assisting you with guides on what to pack, what flights and insurance to purchase, visa guidance, and answering all your questions before arriving in Panama. She also checked in with you regularly throughout your time on the program.

After investigating your feedback thoroughly we have found that in addition to TravelBud providing extensive pre-arrival support, Teach PTY went over and above to make your experience as pleasant as possible and provided all the services listed on our website.

When it comes to volunteering abroad, it's important to be adaptable to changes in plans and schedules which sometimes takes place to accommodate the needs of the community one is working with. We are sorry that the change in schedule which took place had a negative impact on your experience but hope you can understand the needs of the community need to be prioritised when it comes to volunteering abroad.

We hope that over time you will be able to look back on this experience with a change of heart. Volunteering abroad is no walk in the park but it provides a great opportunity to step outside of your comfort zone, travel to and explore a new country, help local communities in need, and gain a new perspective.

We wish you all the best for your future endeavours, Sherry.

The TravelBud Team

By TravelBud on March 4, 2020
Default avatar
ben
28
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teach in Panama

Jul 30, 2019

My experience teaching in Panama has been amazing and very eye-opening. I instantly felt comfortable and at home with the team because of their friendliness and hospitality. They were very hands on and supportive; and will be with you every step of the way. The kids are so great and energetic; and they bring much energy and excitement, it is hard not to see your impact and influence on them and the community. Of course, there is always help from our supervisors if ever needed! I never felt alone or overwhelmed. The accommodations and community were great! The staff and everyone I met were friendly and always willing to help. My supervisor always encouraged me to travel and experience as much as the Culture as possible. He gave great suggestions and helped me navigate the country. The food was amazing! Every meal got better and better. I could not feel any less at home.
*Also, it is beach weather (humid and rain as well) so do not need much cover!! I packed way too much .

Saskia was an amazing contact. She has been with me constantly along the way. I also felt supported by her.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Be open! Get out and get involved in the community. DO NOT be afraid to travel either!!!
46 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Last day field trip
Response from TravelBud

Hi Ben,

Wow, we are thrilled to hear how much of an amazing experience you've had on our volunteer teaching program in Panama. Saskia in particular is beaming after reading your review :)

We're so happy that you contributed to the impact our program has on the local communities in Pedasi and have no doubt that this experience will stay with you for the rest of your life.

All the best for your future, Ben.

- Stu and the TravelBud team

By TravelBud on August 29, 2019
Read my full story

Questions & Answers

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Ben Cooper

Program
Volunteer Teaching & Education in Panama with TravelBud
Ben Cooper

Why did you choose this program?

My friend, Marie, actually did this program a few months prior to me. We were in the same education program in college, except she had done primary, and I had done secondary. I always wanted to teach abroad, but was a little apprehensive about it. I actually did not get the courage to actually try to get serious about this new type of journey, until I saw how much fun Marie had with her own. Talking to her about this experience really calmed my nerves.

I was torn between here and Thailand (which I still want to go to), but I have never really heard about people going to Panama (which is a mistake for them, which I quickly learned), so I figured I would start my travels off the beaten path!

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

I worked with the lovely Saskia; and she was/is amazing! She was with me every step of the way (and then after). I actually worked with her initially for Thailand, but we gelled so well together, we continued our relationship.

She helped me make a payment plan, answer questions I had, and even shared her own experiences in Thailand! I think what actually helped was our getting personal with each other. Knowing that I was talking to a real person with a real life and story really got me comfortable with the whole situation. She really gave 24/7 support. I never felt alone either! She checked in with me constantly just for my well being, and that goes along way!

The only thing I had to organize myself were weekend trips. Accommodation, food, and transportation to and from the airport was included. It was much easier than I imagined.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Be open. Get out of your comfort zone and travel because you will never know what you will stumble upon. I met so many people whilst traveling. I did not have anyone with me during the program until two weeks in, but that did not matter. Jose (founder) was so friendly, and because it was just us two in the house for two weeks, we got really close.

I did not get really comfortable with the country until I traveled. I know it is cliché, but you learn a lot about yourself when traveling (especially alone). Panama will always be special to me because of all the experiences. Pedasi really became my home (I actually got homesick for the town when I went to other places).

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Tuesday-Thursday: The mornings were more relaxed for me. I would wake up to a wonderful and delicious home-cooked breakfast. I would then either bike to the beach, watch Netflix/read, or work on class for the afternoon until lunch at 1. Then I would pick up some of the students for class at 3.30. That is one of the favorite times of the day for me: biking through town to pick up and drop off the kids. That short bike ride through town just added to that sense of belonging.

Then, after class, I would run to the beach and jump in the ocean to cool off before dinner at 7. Little routines like this made everything more real and to me. This was another thing I constantly looked forward to each day. It was so peaceful: running through the country side. Jumping into a warm ocean did not hurt either! The beach was usually desolate--which I was surprised about.

After an amazing dinner, I just relaxed for the rest of the night.

Friday-Monday, I usually traveled :)

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I did not have any real fears going in, actually. I just did not know what to expect, and thus, had no real expectations--I think that was what made everything better: going in with a clear, open mind!

The only real apprehension I guess I really had was meeting people and the language barrier (which I think is normal). I was not sure how I was going to meet people during my stay because I was by myself in the volunteer house--however, that did not matter. I learned to accept my own company, and it was quite freeing not to worry about anyone else's enjoyment except your own. I just focused on myself. Plus, I met people in hostels when I traveled.

Jose really helped with language. He helped translate when needed, and his English is practically fluent anyhow, so I had no trouble speaking with him. I also picked up the language a little bit during my stay, so by the end, I could communicate (not very well) with other people on my own! Even if I had trouble, people in Panama were very helpful and got me where I needed to go!

About TravelBud

At TravelBud we have all taught abroad before and have walked the very path that lies ahead for you. We all passionately believe in the life-changing power of the teach abroad experience, both for those we place and for the students who gain new mentors from around the world. We provide the most all-inclusive and holistic programs when it comes to...
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