Surround yourself in Panama's rich culture while advancing your Spanish!
As the gateway to South America, Panama is an ideal place to rewrite your high school experience. Panama is much more than its famed canal. The country’s curvy, narrow land mass serves as a physical—and cultural—land bridge between North and South America. Its natural beauty is unsurpassed, with hundreds of deserted islands scattered through warm seas; densely forested wilderness; creatures as fantastical as any in Dr. Seuss’s book.
Panama City is one of the most cosmopolitan, culturally distinct, and enjoyable capital cities in all of Central America. Modern commercial buildings blend with cobbled streets and Spanish colonial architecture. West of the capital lies the Panama Canal, the legendary feat of humankind that unites two entire oceans. If you’re interested in experiencing true rainforest’s you can visit the Soberania National Park, just 25 miles north of Panama City. The Bastimentos Marine National Park in Bocas del Toro offers some of the best diving and snorkeling in Central America!
Join teenagers from across the globe on a study abroad journey that will turn your “everyday” completely upside down. By going to a local high school, you’ll be totally immersed in Panamanian language and culture, and what you learn during the day will be reinforced at night when you go home to your own host family and community. This isn’t just an adventure abroad; this is a whole new reality. Panama will change your life, so don’t wait!
Panamanian food is usually very simple, rice being the main meal and with deep-frying as the preferred method of preparing most dishes. Strict vegetarians need to adjust to the usual meals of the family and not impose preferences for specific foods. Celiac disease is very rare in Panama so Gluten-Free products are very costly and the participants will be responsible for purchasing them.