SIT Study Abroad: Panama: Tropical Ecology, Marine Ecosystems, and Biodiversity Conservation
Explore rainforests, coral reefs, highland canopies, and coastal mangroves as you study tropical conservation, marine ecosystems, and ecology.
WHY STUDY ABROAD IN PANAMA?
Panama has some of the world’s most biodiverse and complex ecosystems, from highland cloud forests to Caribbean coral reefs. You will conduct seven weeks of field studies in five unique settings in Panama and Costa Rica. Learn how to estimate forest biodiversity, evaluate coral reef health, calculate mangrove carbon, identify tropical fish species, and quantify neotropical mammal abundance among other skills.
In Panama City, one of the leading bases for international NGOs and the United Nations, you’ll explore conservation topics such as sustainable agriculture, Indigenous resource use, and ecotourism. You will also conduct four weeks of independent, original field research on a topic of your choice.
Your program also includes four homestays during which you will learn about urban and rural life, experience local culture, and examine the environmental challenges these communities face. In addition, you will develop the Spanish language skills needed to discuss ecological issues and conduct field research through classroom learning, cultural immersion, homestays, fieldwork, and excursions.
Please visit the SIT Study Abroad website for details on the program highlights and details of coursework, educational excursions, and housing.
MONEY MATTERS
SIT is an all-inclusively priced study abroad program – including academics costs, excursions, accommodations and meals, airport transfers, and health insurance. Be sure to discuss how study abroad costs are handled at your school with your study abroad advisor and read the website for more specific information.
SCHOLARSHIPS
SIT has awarded an average of over $1.3 million in scholarships and grants to SIT Study Abroad students in the past three years. All scholarships and grants are need-based. Awards generally range from $500 to $5,000.
QUOTE
"If you're at all considering this program, I highly recommend it! I learned so much from this program, academically, socially, and culturally. This program taught me to step out of my comfort zone, be comfortable with not knowing the road ahead, and made me much more confident interacting with new people. The educational opportunities this program offers are like no other, from snorkeling in the Caribbean and studying fish and coral reefs, to doing research on frogs at night in the forests of El Valle. There are so many incredible opportunities for cultural immersion in this program, some of my favorites being all the homestays and the fun activities we did on free days during excursions. You will come out of this program a much more well-rounded, culturally educated person, and you will undoubtedly meet people that will become your friends for life!"
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