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

I studied abroad in Panama enduring a hands-on experience in environmental science through extensive field work in varying tropical environments, focusing on marine ecology and blue carbon conservation in both the Caribbean and Pacific oceans. We performed field work in coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass, the open ocean and intertidal zones. We engaged in classes, presentations, assessments and an independent research project. We partook in adventurous excursions to islands, cities and national parks. I was able to establish new personal and professional connections with peers and educators in the environmental science field. The friends I made along the way are unforgettable! The professors and advisors were extremely positive, encouraging and intelligent. This was a jam-packed intense travel, I miss the chaos every day! This experience was very special!

This program was one of the most incredible experiences of my entire life. I learned so much, got to visit so many beautiful and unique places, and made lifelong friends! I think what sets this program apart is the incredible opportunities for field research, like studying amphibians in the tropical cloud forests of El Valle, as well as the cultural immersion opportunities, like spending a night in the Naso Comarca. You will get to visit some of the most beautiful habitats in the world and learn from instructors who are experts in their respective fields. Outside of the classroom, this program made me much more confident in social situations and taught me to go with the flow and take in each experience. You will undoubtedly emerge from this program a more well-rounded person and take the lessons you learned in Panama with you for the rest of your life! Don't miss out, seize the opportunity to visit this beautiful country and experience its many amazing cultures!

My experience abroad with SIT exceeded all my expectations. Initially, this program stuck out to me as a hands-on learner and someone who loves to travel. In reality, it was all that and more. This program is a nice balance of academics, hands-on activities, and cultural immersion. Over the course of the trip, we traveled all over the country to dozens of locations I had never even heard of before, and I was thrilled by their natural beauty and rich culture. I was also able to greatly improve my Spanish while in Panama and loved the opportunity of living with several Panamanian families. It offered a truly unique perspective into Panamanian culture that was truly amazing. Overall, I strongly recommend this program.

This program offers an absurd amount of opportunity to learn about so many new things in vastly different ecosystems with a challenging structure and expectations that pushed me to a new standard of academics that I hadn't expected. The people in charge of the program are fantastic, and incredibly helpful, and it was rare to meet an unhelpful Panamanian. The Independent Study portion is unmatched in allowing and forcing you to grow beyond your bounds. Without this experience, I think my education would have been gravely incomplete.

A lot of you people searching for abroad programs have more than likely considered going to Europe for what is likely also an amazing experience. I was also ready to pull the trigger on some program where I would be taking classes at a university in another country where I would be surrounded by a ton of other abroad students doing the same program as me. To be fair I never did go to Europe, so I can't suggest too many things about the abroad programs there.

What I can say is that my experience in Panama made me so grateful that I made the decision to go against the grain and do something that most people won't get the chance to do.

Between hiking through tropical cloud forests, snorkeling in a pristine Caribbean archipelago, climbing a volcano, and wading through a river to catch frogs, this program really has everything for the adventuring soul. If you have any kind of passion for the environment and nature, this program will overload every dopamine receptor in your entire body. Completing this program reaffirmed my passion for the environment, traveling to unique places, and having amazing experiences with amazing people, and hopefully it will make you feel the same.

This program was an amazing experience where my fellow students were passionate about conservation, climate change, and learning. We were able to visit beautiful places and learn from local community members about the many different ecosystems we experienced. The academics were very well integrated into where we traveled although the workload was challenging at times. There was a good balance of city and rural life, as well as class and free time. I would highly recommend this program for any environmental science student who wants to challenge themself or who wants to become more literate in Spanish about ecological/environmental topics.

This program is incredibly travel and outdoor-heavy. You are constantly traveling all over the country for different modules where you spend 90% of your time doing field work outside. You are never bored and always busy. The places you get to see are actual paradise and there is plenty of time to hike, explore, and swim in between class. There is also an incredible variety of subjects to learn about from birds, to coral reefs, to forest, to amphibians. The program teaches you how to use different research methods and conduct experiments, so that you can be successful in executing your own research project during the last month of the trip.

SIT Panama is an incredible abroad program for students who love the environment and traveling. You will learn how to do all kinds of field work, learn/improve your Spanish, and make incredible friends and memories for a semester. The program is very travel-heavy, and you'll likely only stay in one place for a maximum of one week. You and the other students will be learning in the field with professors who are at the top of their field. You will have plenty of time for exploring and relaxing in various towns and the City.