6th Annual 2008 Study Abroad Program in Panama

Berta Calvert, Program Director; Dr. Joy Hart, Assistant Program Director
“In addition to learning about the history of the country, I also feel that my ability to speak and understand the Spanish language has grown tremendously.”

--Aaron Olson   
“The class about Panamanian Culture gave me the possibility to learn more about Panamanians, Panamanian history, current economic, political, and social issues, and indigenous groups, such as the Kuna, Emberá, and the Ngobe-Bublé.”

--Judith Friedrich  
“I believe study abroad programs are very important to the University because they not only promote the University worldwide, but encourage students to learn about the world and its many cultures. The ability to be surrounded by culturally diverse people and respect their culture is one of the many blessings this program provides.”

--Amy Walkup   
“After being here, now I do not feel that my college career would have been complete without this experience. I think that a study abroad opportunity is something that every student should experience during college. It makes you appreciate everything that you have and everything that you have worked so hard to achieve.”

--Samuel J. Stewart  
“My time here has been by far some of the most intriguing, unique, and amazing experience of my life… Each day has been filled with a further understanding of the culture around me, the Spanish language, and a deeper understanding of who I am as a person.”

--John Alford, Jr.   
“I was enrolled in a Panamanian Culture course (ML 313) which I absolutely loved. Learning is always easy when one wants to learn a certain subject, and everything Prof. Acosta taught the class related directly to my everyday life in the country. But most of what I learned was not in the classroom, but instead through all of my experiences and interactions with the Panamanian people.”

--Michael Razeeq
“Everywhere I went was a new adventure that added to the total experience of being in a different country. There were planned trips which were wonderful and very informative, but it was the free time when we were able to go out and do what we wanted that held some of the most interactive moments.”

--David Grubb
“During our stay with the Emberá, we were given a traditional lunch of fish and patacones (fried plantains), we were shown how to make baskets and wood carvings, and each of us was given a unique tattoo made from a special fruit. At the end of our visit, my classmates and I were honored with a traditional dance.

--Cynthia McCaulley  
“I have really enjoyed my time in Panama. I am so glad I was afforded this opportunity to go. The trips we have taken and the memories that have been made have helped me to grow as a person and to increase my knowledge of another culture. I will carry this experience with me throughout the rest my life.”

--Laura E. Sivado  
“It is simply impossible to sum up my experience here in Panama in so few words. Not even the 700 pictures I have taken my stay will tell the whole story. The whole story is in my heart. I will carry the people I have met, the things I have seen, the stories I have heard and lessons I have learned in my heart forever. My experience has changed me. I have learned so much about Panama and her people, but I have also learned a lot about myself. I am a new person, more centered and focused on the things that matter.”

--Lindsey Keller  
“One of my favorite places we visited was Monkey Island in Gamboa. We had to take a boat to the island. I had the chance to feed a banana to a monkey.”

--Kathryn Haunsz 
“When going to the store down here or in catching a taxi I have had to only speak Spanish. I appreciate this because it has forced me to use the Spanish I already know to get what I need or want.”

 --Justina Ellis   

“My reason for coming on this trip was so what I could study a culture not of my own as a sociologist would to decide if sociology was really the right major for me. This trip has re-enforced that I have made the right decisions in the path of my career and dissolved any doubt in my mind I may have had about dedicating my life to studying the lives of others and helping people in general.”

--Shalah Bottoms 
“I had the good fortune to travel to Isla Grande and was blown away by the beautiful sunset, clear waters and amazing food. Panama has opened its heart to me and I have graciously received it.”

--Alyson N. Barnes 
“Panama’s small size allows for multiple day weekend trips without losing class time during the week. The scenic town of El Valle, with its cool climate, picturesque mountains, and colorful gardens is only one and a half hours from the hotel in Panama City. Taboga, a rugged island with white sand beaches, can be reached in just over an hour by boat. The canal, one of the man’s great engineering feats, runs through the heart of Panama City and offers a glimpse into Panama’s close history with the United States. Further out but still within an hour’s flight, Colón and Portobello are virtual time capsules, taking the traveler back to the days of Incan gold, pirates, and smugglers. The Caribbean islands of Bocas del Toro is one of the hemisphere’s premiere beach destinations, isolated, frozen in time in the northern corner of the country.”

--Patrick Connelly 
“Thanks to the outstanding price of the program and the scholarships that I received, I have been able to get outside of the city and partake in three weekend excursions separate from that of the entire group. For our first free weekend, I went with five of my friend to El Valle. In El Valle, we hiked to see a beautiful 85-kilomer-high waterfall, relaxed in the nature hot springs, and rode horses through the mountains.”

--Alex L. Riedinger 
“One of my favorite memories on the trip has to be the excursion to visit the Emberá Tirbe, one of the indigenous tribes of Panama. Never in my life would I have thought that I’d take a ride in a dug out canoe to an indigenous village to meet with a tribal leader and his community. Until now, that was only something I would have seen on the Discovery Channel.”

--Shane E. Bender 
“During my time in Panama, I have found that the study abroad program has been very well designed, with many unique cultural experience included, and at the same time allows each student to customize the trip to best fulfill their own desires for the trip.”

 --James Hunt  
“The natural beauty of Panama cannot be described in words. The trip to different parks and experiences in the rainforest are unforgettable. One of the most memorable experiences was when a group of friends and I went to El Valle, a small mountain town northwest of Panama City. The place was so peaceful, and everywhere you went there were mind-blowing natural wonders like mountains and flowers and all the greenery that made you feel as though you had reached the Garden of Eden. There we rode horses onto a weathered trail, hiked up rocks to see an amazing waterfall, and ziplined over rainforest canopies and rivers. It was an experience I will never forget. I realize that you don’t get to see so much beauty everywhere you go, and I will always cherish those memories.”

--Abby Watkins  
“This trip has allowed me to view the world differently and also appreciate what I have. While in Panama I have been able to see first-hand how different but at the same time how similar people are. Although Spanish is not my first language and at times I struggled to communicate with the people, for fist time in my life I didn’t feel as if I was the minority.”

--Ashlee M. Downs 
“This trip has been such a cathartic experience. Never have I had the opportunity to learn so much about others, and about myself.”

--Jordan Andrew 
“The most significant aspect of my experience here has been experiencing the racial diversity here and how it contrasts to that of the United States. In Panama, the majority of the population comes from a diverse ethnic background, which makes for a colorful variety of people. I can especially appreciate this because as an African-American, in my home country I am a minority; however, in Panama I am one of the majority. On numerous occasions Panamanians have approached me and began speaking to me as if I was a native, because I blend in so well here.”

--Shellese Shemwell 
“Upon my arrival in Panama I was overwhelmed with culture. It is wonderful to see people who not only love their families but also love where their family is from. While driving to the hotel I noticed the taxis displaying the Panamanian flag with pride. I heard the music, the laughter, and the satisfaction; the Panamanians love their country. I have been to many countries, but none have been as friendly and welcoming as the Panamanians.”

--Slidana M. Holthouser

“The past month has been the experience of my lifetime for me. I have learned an incredible amount of knowledge from my communication class, Panamanian culture class, and about myself. The professors on this trip have been wonderful and they have tough me more than I could have imagined. I did not know what to expect coming in to this trip and I have been pleasantly surprised with all of my experiences.”

--Kevin Klare  
“Using my first time traveling outside of the U.S. to study abroad has increased my knowledge of another culture and what it’s like to experience it. We have definitely incorporated learning with fun and it has been an awesome way to spend 30 days.”

--Alma C. Awkard 
“Arriving in Panama, I was amazed to find so many high rise buildings. I knew that Panama was a center for economic and service related industries, but it never occurred to me that I would see an image of New York City in front of me. Panama is not a country of pure Hispanic people, rather a mosaic of African, Chinese, Indian, Indigenous, Italian, German, Hispanic, Asian, and North American people. Each group has been able to maintain their traditions and culture.”

--Mary J. Santos  
“I hope that the trip to Panama never stops. There is something extraordinarily special about the University of Louisville in Panama. There is a connection there, a bond that flourishes and a feeling of complete euphoria that people can only feel there. I don’t have to tell you I didn’t want to leave, but you have to go to see it with your own eyes to understand.”

--Michael G. Simon, Jr. 
“I have truly learned so much through the classes about this culture and will personally recommend this program to any student that might be interested. I have been outside the country many times, but this will be at the top of my list.”

--Will Colvin  
“The people in Panama, the experience, and discovering new things about myself have truly shaped how I view my life and how I will continue to pursue my dreams and goals. Realizing that today is a new day and that tomorrow will be dealt with tomorrow is a covenant of how Panamanians live their life and I will continue to emulate that in my daily life. There is really no comparison to how this trip has changed my life.”

--Lauren D. Taylor 

“After visiting Panama I have realized that to truly learn a second language, it is absolutely necessary that one be immersed in it and the culture it involves. I am grateful because this trip has provided me with this wonderful opportunity. I couldn’t be more grateful for what I have learned about Spanish language and culture.”

--Brittny Schadler 

5th Annual 2007 Study Abroad Program in Panama

Berta Calvert, Program Director

“As the first study abroad experience for me I could not have been happier that it was the Panama Program!”

--Stephanie Olds

 “Panama helped me respect new cultures. I had ample opportunities to

Practice my Spanish, and I became enlightened to the importance of learning a new language.”

--Adam Colvin

  “The trip to Panama has provided me with a different outlook on life…

I feel that I am now more open and accepting to new and different cultures, and I am aware of how important it is to learn as much as possible about different cultures…”

--Amber Denman

 “The most important aspect of Panama was simply experiencing the culture; food, dancing, religion, education, etc. This program allowed me to discover how much I enjoy learning Spanish and how much I desire to serve the Hispanic community. The community service project helped me to consummate that idea.”

--Tiffany Evans

  “My favorite part about the trip was seeing the country. We took several excursions to different beaches, islands, a rainforest…It was exciting to see something that you cannot normally find here in the States.”

--Angie Foster

  “Learning about Panama and its culture while living in Panama City, I also learned much about the U.S. culture. Gaining such a personal view of cultural similarities and differences has opened my eyes to a portion of what immigrants and refugees must experience as they begin their lives in a new country.”

--Joseph Frey

  “Other than graduating, studying abroad was my main goal upon entry to U of L one year ago. Panama provided me with much more that what my dreams could have created and words cannot express my gratitude for having received such an Opportunity.”

--Jason Hall

  “One of my first lessons in Panama was a refresher course in patience. Like many countries in the Hispanic World, Panama has a different attitude about time. It is more relaxed….I feel more peaceful and tranquil after taking it all in. ”

--Douglas (Scott) Howard

 “The trip to Panama was amazing and was everything I had hoped for and then some. The city was phenomenal and offered a sense of a completely urban and modern environment in Central America.”

-Steven McDonald

 “I think Panama City carries with it a true form of humanity. Everyone is struggling to make a living but not at the cost of other people. You will find people from all over the world living in Panama.”

--Minh Nguyen

 4th Annual 2006 Study Abroad Program in Panama

“Whitewater rafting through the rain forest and spending a day with the Embera Indians were just a few of my favorite things about Panama.  To improve my Spanish speaking skills, I surrounded myself with Panamanian friends who only spoke Spanish, and as a result, my skills improved tremendously.  Following my experience, I was recently hired as the Spanish teacher at Holy Cross High School.”
--Clinton E. Craddock

“The thing that impressed me the most about the people there, was their eagerness to assist you with learning Spanish.  Everyone was friendly and tried to help me.  Most importantly, no one made me feel uncomfortable in my attempt to learn.  It is a good place for any level of Spanish speaker, so even if you are not the most experienced Spanish speaker, you will still have the opportunity to learn.”
--Andrea Greene

“I brought back many amazing memories of Panama.  I’ll never forget floating down the Rio Chagres through the middle of a tropical jungle and feeling like a true adventurer.  I will never forget, or be able to do justice recounting the night we jammed, jostled, swung, and shook our way through Panama City with a world--famous soccer star making a surprise visit, on the psychedelically painted, streamlined for dancing and good times, party bus that is Panamanian Chiva Rumbera.” 
--Anthony Carpio

“Some of my most memorable moments of Panama were my interactions with the taxi drivers.  Besides one specific incident, every trip in a taxi was very entertaining with some hilarious stories.  I learned a lot everyday about the culture of Panama.  It was intriguing to learn something in class and then encounter it outside of the classroom or visa versa.”
--Cleveria Peters

“The trip gave me the opportunity to know what it feels like to be a part of the minority.  As a Caucasian American, I feel it was very important that I got the chance to feel this way.  It should make it easier for me to understand how others feel in the same situation and will benefit my life for years to come.  I only wish that every Caucasian American had the same opportunity I have had.  It would certainly change a lot of the problems we already face today.”
--Alfred Frager

“Being a language major has broadened my horizons and knowledge of other people and cultures that coexist with us.  Cultural diversity is not prevalent in our society and my goal is to help change that.  This experience was a blessing.  Studying in Panama provided learning and communication skills that I need to succeed in my major.  Gaining firsthand experience has certainly opened my eyes to the culture and how life really is in the country.  The customs are so different from ours here and having had the opportunity to study them was amazing.  A major benefit has been increasing my foreign studies.  Although it was difficult, I worked very hard to succeed during my time abroad.”
--Lauren Hays

“There are people and places in Panama that I am already dying to see again.  It was extremely helpful in boosting my confidence and understanding with the Spanish language.  Actually, not only was it helpful at the time, it is something that continues to help me with my progression in learngin the language because now I speak nothing but Spanish with the friends I made on the trip both from Louisville and Panama.  Going on this trip was the best decision I’ve made probably in my life.”
--Angela King

“Having stayed in this beautiful country has given me the opportunity to learn about so many things. Panamanian culture is considered a melting pot due to the variety of races in their population.  The relationship among the people was fantastic.  Since I came to the United States, I had forgotten how nice it is not to be rejected by society because of your cultural heritage or your race. Panama is like another world.”
--Laine Ortega

“I have been blessed in my life to have many wonderful experiences, but the month spent in Panama definitely rises to the top of my list.  Apart from improving my language skills and learngin about another culture, I believe I learned the most about myself and how I live.  I believe that I have grown to be a better person and much more aware of my everyday actions and habits.  I enjoyed every moment of my experience abroad and I definitely want to return to Panama in the future.”
--Cherith B. Morgan

“What I enjoyed most about the experience in Panama was that it allowed me to venture into a society and practice using Spanish in a more daily routine.  I feel that I have gained so much from my solo adventures in Panama, where I had to express myself and make sure that I was being heard, that I’ve increased my confidence in speaking Spanish in front of others who speak the language natively.”
--Stanley McDowell

“In years to come, I know my trip to Panama will provide me with many great memories.  I loved our trip to the Embera Indians, a Panamanian indigenous group.  The Chiva Rumbera (a party bus), the taxis, and the constant honking remind me of the absolute craziness of Panamanian traffic.  Coming to know Panamanians was a great experience that made me feel welcome in the country.  Seeing the humanitarian conditions of this little Central American country made me realize that one of my main interests in life is international non--profit work.  My month living, studying, and traveling in Panama was a wonderful time which I will never forget.”
--Jacquelyn Roe

“On this trip to Panama, I met amazing new people, traversed through the countryside, and learned more culture and Spanish than I could have dreamed about learning in the states.  I could list for pages everything that we did that was absolutely incredible, but in a quick summary my favorites were our hikes through the rainforests to see the waterfalls, our trip to the Caribbean Islands Bocas del Toro, and meeting students from Panama.”
--Bryan Mahdavi

“While the Panamanian culture course provided an extensive amount of information about the society through numerous types of media, it also gave students an opportunity to ask questions and convey personal observations.  I greatly appreciated the diversity of activities, from dance lessons and cooking classes to hikes and bicycle excursions, planned by the University of Louisville in Panama.  Through these activities and conversing with native Panamanians, I was able to gain a better understanding of what life is like in their country.”
--Maria Taylor

“Living in the city and the daily life immersed me into the language and culture in a way that would be impossible to do without this experience.  The assigned staff members were excellent and they assisted the students greatly in completing the program.  The accommodations were wonderful and overall it was a great experience.  I would recommend to anyone wishing to pursue learning a foreign language or truly understand another culture to participate in a program such as this.”
--Tiffany Traughber

3rd Annual 2005 Study Abroad Program in Panama
Program Director: Dr. Manuel Medina
Assistant Program Director: Dr. Carmen Cedeño

“Panama is a country that is a ‘bridge,’ bridging worlds, people of all colors and cultures.”
-– Marie Pierre Good

“It was very enlightening to listen and converse about politics, economics, education, and religion with people outside of the United States. The most influential part of the trip was discussions with those who live in Panamá.”
–- Erin Puterbaugh

“This experience has given me more confidence in myself in that I am now positive that I am able to speak Spanish and be understood by native speakers.”
–- Danielle Minter

“Even though I’m from Panama it was different because I got to visit several places that I haven’t been before. In the class I was reminded of the history of my country; and as the course went on I learned things, more in depth, about what has taken place in the last 27 years.”
–- Elsa Sharlow

“In Louisville our main Latin American population includes the Mexican, Puerto Rican and Cuban ethnicities. Before this trip, I knew little to nothing of the Panamanian culture.”
–- Brandi Gates

“We talked about the 1989 invasion of Panama by the U.S. I never realized how little I knew about Panama.”
–- Jami Wilson

“This experience has helped point me in a new direction regarding my career path. I would like to obtain a job that would allow me to travel and see many other Latin American countries.”
–- Justin Hersh

“The excursion to the Emberá tribe was inspiring and breathtaking. The simplicity of the community and the beauty of the land are impossible to put into words.”
-– Kristin Reading

“Panama and especially Panama City has a unique history that goes far back. It was so cool to see how history plays such a big part in the culture they have today.”
–- Tiffany Coffey

“The interaction of my course work and living abroad made for a wonderful experience. My Spanish language acquisition was sped along by day-to-day activities conducted entirely in Spanish.”
–- Travis Wimsett

2nd Annual 2004 Study Abroad Program in Panama
Program Director: Dr. Lisa Wagner
Assistant Program Director: Dr. Manuel Medina

“I had never seen anything so beautiful in all my life. The palm trees, the oceans, the city and the people all work together to make Panama a beautiful place to visit and to live.”
-– Lindsey Davidson

“My host and new friend, Amarilis, took me on daylong excursions to different parts of the city… We went to the movies, shopped at the local malls, visited museums, and spent time just chatting with her friends over dinner.”
-– Tiffany Dix

“My favorite excursion of all was to the Emberá village in the rain forest. I felt as though the pages of National Geographic had come to life before me.”
-– Tara Hart

“Every fiber of my being forces me to seek out opportunities to speak Spanish and in my humble opinion, this was the purpose of the trip, to shift us from students learning a language to students using a language.”
-– Ed Kuster

“It is amazing how much more you can learn about a language or a culture or a country by simply putting down the books and experiencing these things hands on, and being immersed in them.”
-– Aletha Maupin

“I want to be clear about one thing: I will never forget my time in Panama and it was something that my grandkids will be completely sick of hearing about by the age of four and a half.”
-– Mary Metcalf

“This experience made me realize just how much I was interested in Latin American politics and the Spanish language.”
-– Amy Oliver

“Speaking Spanish daily was a real eye-opener for me, because it showed me just how much Spanish I actually know, which is more than I thought I did.”
-– Erica Thornbury

1st Annual 2003 Study Abroad Program in Panama
Program Director: Dr. Rhonda Buchanan
Assistant Program Director: Dr. Lisa Wagner

“I can’t imagine a society more accessible to the study abroad student or an environment more conducive to learning a language!”
–- Isabella Christensen

“The structure of the program was very effective for first time study abroad participants because it provided the leadership and connections to make me feel safe while being abroad for the first time.”
-– Sean Deskins

“Our teacher, Ricardo, was a very knowledgeable and fun teacher. He made the material interesting and brought in authors, food, and dancers, just to name a few things.”
–- Marian Chochiaosue

“I began the year as an average beginning-Spanish student who was merely fulfilling his foreign language requirement and I left Panama with a deep love and respect for the language and the culture surrounding it.”
-– Kristopher Fannin

“In both classes we felt completely comfortable to ask questions, and all three professors were well-educated, experienced, and incredibly enthusiastic in their area of expertise.”
-– Marea Ingwersen

“In the course of learning a new language, it becomes evident that at a certain point no more can be learned from books or classes, and that one must be immersed in the culture and language to become fluent.”
–- Brandy Schwallie

“I learned to communicate without apprehension and my comprehension has improved tremendously since the trip.”
-– Latrice Shannon

“International experience is becoming increasingly important in the world today, and I this that it is a crucial aspect of the education of a U of L student. Study abroad is a learning experience that is impossible to match in any other manner.”
-– Leslie Van Howe

“As the weeks passed, I was able to perceive a marked difference in my abilities, and by the time I left Panama, I was carrying on entire conversations in Spanish without even thinking twice about it.”
-– Elizabeth Walter

“From Gamboa to Portobello, there are stories and histories of people- rich heritage- that I would have personally never grown to know or appreciate without the advent of this study abroad.”
-– Jason Wiles