Location:

Bocas Del Toro, Panama

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Summer

Program Overview

Program Description:

Spend your summer snorkeling and hiking through the beautiful natural environments of Bocas – from coral reefs and mangroves to beaches and rainforests – while studying the impacts of tourism and other human activities on the island’s ecosystems and communities. Interview local residents who depend on both tourism and natural resources, analyze regional and national policies, and learn about current approaches to sustainable development in the archipelago.

Program highlight:

• Connect with Indigenous Ngäbe island communities: Learn about the importance of the natural environment to their culture and their efforts to create authentic, sustainable tourism.

SFS students live and study at the Center for Tropical Island Biodiversity Studies, once a beachfront hotel that sits among the slender palms and warm sands of Isla Colón lies the Center. You’ll take your classes over the waves of the Caribbean and among the surrounding rainforests and reefs. The laidback tourist hub of Bocas Town is a short taxi ride away, with access to shops, restaurants, and a vibrant culture that is as unique as the mix of people who live here.

Cost:

5950 USD. Includes room and board, activities, in-country transportation, and courses. Does not include airfare.

Additional Program Information

Requirements:

18 years of age, 2.6 GPA

Scholarships:

Yes

Scholarships Description:

SFS awards more than $650,000 in need-based financial aid each year. Aid packages are usually a combination of scholarships, grants, and loans. All students are eligible to apply for SFS need-based financial aid.