Location
  • Panama
Length
12 - 52 weeks
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, LGBTQIA+ funding, BIPOC funding
Health & Safety

Program Details

Timeframe
Academic Year Fall Spring
Housing
Host Family
Language
Spanish

Pricing

Starting Price
10000
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Some Meals
What's Not Included
Some Activities Domestic Airfare Some Meals Visa
Oct 25, 2021
Sep 15, 2018
6 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Study abroad in Panama to skyrocket your Spanish by living with a host family and attending a local high school. With one of the highest literacy rates in the region, you will be surrounded by peers who are eager to learn and teachers who are eager to help. Your local volunteers will also organize activities that may include trips to the San Blas islands on the Caribbean coast and the Panama Canal.

Along your journey, you’ll notice the vast diversity of Panama. You’ll pass areas that are bustling commercial centers, as well as lush tropical landscapes dotted with small villages. No matter where you are, you’re likely to find colorful markets with fresh fruit juice carts lining the streets.

Each region in Panama also hosts its own festival with music and dancing. The whole community takes part in the preparation and celebration. Panama is an ideal place to step outside of your comfort zone, become a cultural insider, and engage in an exciting new adventure.

This program is currently not being promoted on Go Overseas by its provider. Check with AFS-USA for the most up-to-date information regarding the status of this program.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

AFS-USA is committed to providing international and intercultural learning experiences to individuals from diverse backgrounds and communities, including mixed heritage, foreign nationalities, and all socio-economic levels.

LGBTQIA+ Support

AFS-USA welcomes members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and actively encourages and supports their participation in all types of AFS opportunities, including studying abroad, volunteering, and hosting exchange students.

Accessibility Support

AFS-USA is committed to practicing and promoting accessibility and inclusion.

Program Highlights

  • Immerse yourself in Spanish – the best way to become fluent.
  • Make connections and memories you'll never forget with other AFS exchange students from all over the world.
  • Live with a host family to deepen your immersion and connection to Panamanian culture. If you’re like most AFSers, you won’t want to leave this second family and home.
  • Sample delicious Panamanian cuisine, including carimañolas (stuffed yuca fritters) and chicha, (a sweet, cold beverage).
  • Become a global citizen. Gain intercultural communication skills. Build your college and career resume. Help create a more peaceful, understanding world.

Scholarships

AFS-USA Scholarships

AFS-USA Grants & Scholarships

We offer $1 million dollars in merit and need-based scholarships thanks to the generosity of numerous donors who have a deep connection with AFS and value intercultural exchange. These scholarships range from $1,000 to full tuition, for both our summer and year/semester study abroad programs.

Value
$1,000 - $5,000

Program Reviews

4.67 Rating
based on 3 reviews
  • 5 rating 66.67%
  • 4 rating 33.33%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Growth 4.7
  • Support 4.35
  • Fun 4.7
  • Housing 4.7
  • Safety 4.7
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Default avatar
Kendra
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Highly Recommended

My semester in Panama in high school started my love for languages and the world. It set me on the path to living in many other countries and studying cultures and languages in college. I learned the power of hospitality and tolerance and gained a second family and group of friends. AFS is so unique because it's a volunteer run organization and that means that the support staff and host families truly care. I miss Panama so much!

76 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Glenn
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

AFS Panama Set Me on my Path

This abroad experience in high school was formative in my growth as a teenager. I now work in international exchanges, because of the overwhelmingly positive experience I had on my semester abroad with AFS. Intercultural experience is so important - I learned so much as an exchange student, and while it wasn't all easy by any stretch of the imagination, through the challenges of going abroad I grew as a person.

68 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
donna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Panama Community Service

Dolega Panama AFS went out of their way to give our group a fantastic experience. A great mix of community service, learning, culture, and fun. Can’t say enough good things about my experience. We cleaned, painted and scraped a classroom in an elementary school. We learned traditional dancing while dressed in traditional clothing. We visited a sugar cane production farm. Our host family has continued to be a part of our lives.

What would you improve about this program?
I understand it no longer exists. How sad. I would love to be a group leader again.
71 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers