Study abroad Panama takes students off the grid

This isn't your average study abroad. Virginia Tech's Study Abroad Panama is a trifecta of adventure, culture and discovery. We hit the Pacific Coast and go to Panama City and we learn about Panama's rich history and their culture and then we also go inland to the rainforest and students get to experience kind of a total off-grid experience. the third stop on the study abroad would be you know the Caribbean coast where we go visit an indigenous group the Guna and we'll stay with the Guna for three days and learn about their rich history their culture but also learn about some of the issues and impacts that they're facing as they move towards the future it's not just travel a dozen select students blaze new trails and hands-on real-world learning every day has been kind of an adventure in itself you know every day we do something different if I really had to choose a favorite it was a meeting with the Embara people we really got to understand the culture we really got to see what a traditional Panamanian life was from clinical neuroscience to environmental conservation students from different majors come together bringing unique perspectives to make this experience even richer. Being able to kind of step outside of your comfort zone and take risks and meet people and learn things and see a whole new part of the world, I think that it can't be replicated in the classroom. It was definitely roughing it as described but I think it was really worth it. We saw a lot of really cool animals, really cool environments, just stuff straight out of the postcard honestly. If you're looking for an experience that is a one of a kind I would say go on the trip. If you like to learn a lot and if you care about the environment, if you care about people, I would say go on this trip and definitely come with an open mind. It's an amazing feeling to be able to bring students here to show them tropical forests and to see them put things into place and put their lives into a global context rather than perhaps in the bubble that they've lived in for the last 18 or so years. Perspective that will stay with these students for life.