An Amazing Experience with Amigos in Panama

I absolutely adored my six and a half weeks spent in Turega, Cocle, Panama. I believe that the best part of the program was just being able to meet new people who live completely different from you, yet are also so similar. Though the program ideals of teaching and leading classes were a small part of the overall experience, the truly memorable events that made me feel like I was leaving the greatest impact were the times that I would sit and laugh with my host family and friends. The times that we would share stories, play games, or fall in the mud are the moments that I remember the most. Busting out to Shakira with my slightly eccentric host sister or playing soccer in torrential downpours with the community youth are just a few examples of small instances that nonetheless left a tremendous impact on me. Amigos was definitely an eye opening experience in regards to different cultures and language, yet more than that, I learned a lot about myself as a person. I learned what I was capable of doing and what frustrations I just needed to let go. I wouldn't trade those six and half weeks I spent there for anything!