Study Abroad Programs in Panama

Seamester is the educational adventure of a lifetime! For more than 40 years, we have offered unparalleled educational voyages where students spend a semester at sea sailing between islands, countries, and even continents. We design our programs to provide engaging learning experiences with real outcomes in ways that are impossible to replicate in the traditional classroom. Living as part of a close-knit team on an ocean-going vessel, our students learn fundamental lessons beyond academics: teamwork, leadership, and personal responsibility. They receive academic credit from the University of South Florida, along with PADI scuba certifications and IYT sailing certifications. Our programs are designed to inspire students to realize that it’s the journey, not the destination, that matters the most.

Explore rainforests, coral reefs, highland canopies, and mangroves while studying tropical conservation, marine ecosystems, and ecology. Conduct seven weeks of field studies in Panama and Costa Rica, gaining skills in biodiversity estimation, coral reef evaluation, mangrove carbon calculation, and species identification. In Panama City, a hub for international NGOs, study conservation topics like sustainable agriculture and ecotourism. Complete four weeks of independent research, participate in four homestays, and build Spanish skills through classroom learning, cultural immersion, and fieldwork. You may choose to do a minor in environmental science or conservation biology. MONEY MATTERS SIT has given an average of over $1.3 million in scholarships and grants to SIT Study Abroad students in recent years and is committed to ensuring you have the information necessary to apply for such funding. Our program costs include academics, excursions, accommodations, airport transfers, and health insurance. Meal arrangements vary by program. 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.

Learn Spanish in Panama City, enjoy your Spanish learning vacation in this city of contrasts, colonial meets modern skyscrapers. Panama City is divide between old & new, Old Panama was the center for Spanish exploration interesting ruins include the Cathedral of Piedra, the Monasteries and stone bridges. Colonial Panama was constructed with a fortress during the colonial time and ruins can be visited. Modern Panama is composed of modern buildings and is now an International Banking Center. Located in Altos de Chases district an upper-middle class residential section that is peaceful and safe. Only a few minutes away is Centro Commercial El Metropolitano an area with good shopping and a very active night-life. 20 minute taxi or bus ride from the downtown 10 minutes from the Parque Natural.

“Wildlife Veterinary Medicine Panama” was designed by Dr. Chloe Buiting, The Jungle Doctor, for students looking to gain clinical experience in this field. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a sloth vet? Or treat some of the world’s most endangered wildlife? The Wildlife Veterinary Medicine Panama Program might be for you – now open for enrollment! This program is based at a veterinary clinic that treats wildlife, exotics, and small animals. It also takes you to a busy wildlife rehabilitation facility, which emphasizes the rehabilitation and release of sloths. By joining us in this program, you’ll learn about the treatment of Central American wildlife, including clinical examinations, handling, restraint, common diseases, and medical therapies. You will also learn about the rehabilitation process and have the opportunity to shadow any surgeries, rescues, or releases during your time! This two-week program is based between Centro Veterinario Panamá and the APPC, both located in Panama City.

Feed your love for the outdoors or gain the necessary skills to jumpstart your career in the outdoor industry. Earn seven internationally-recognized certifications, 10 academic credits, and complete an in-depth study of Outward Bound Costa Rica’s educational model to make you a desirable instructor or guide for various organizations around the world. From learning to set up belay systems and guiding rafts down whitewater rapids, to providing wilderness medical care, this course has you covered! This is a 65-day course divided into seven distinct phases: Multi-Element Leadership Training Wilderness First Responder Medical Course Surf Instructor Training Whitewater River Guide Training Waterfront Lifeguarding Technical Ropes Rescue Scuba Diving Top graduates of this Outdoor Leader Semester program may be offered a paid internship as a Field Instructor Intern for Outward Bound Costa Rica’s summer high season, with the possibility of staying on as a year-round instructor. *Please note that, for the health and safety of our participants, OBCR has made program adjustments to these courses. Please visit our website to view our COVID-19 considerations.*

Discover how culture, language, and public health intersect in one of Latin America’s most dynamic countries. The Health Practices in Panama program is designed for students interested in healthcare, global health, and community engagement, all while improving their Spanish in a professional context. All coursework for this program is offered through Español en Panamá (EPA), our local academic partner specializing in Spanish language instruction for professional fields. Beyond the classroom, the program emphasizes practical experience through guided visits to hospitals and health centers, as well as structured service-learning activities in rural communities.

Dive into the vibrant atmosphere of Panama City, a modern city by the Panama Canal and the Pacific Ocean, in this FSU study abroad program! Our FSU International Program in Panama enables you to begin your college studies in another culture, learning from world-class faculty and experiencing the local culture. You will return home with FSU credit and lifetime friendships. Start your college experience in another culture, learning from world-class faculty, earning FSU credit, and making new friends! FSU International Programs offers first-year and first-semester abroad experiences in Panama City, Panama. This program is also available in Florence, London, and Valencia, Spain. Earn in-state tuition at FSU! The First Year Abroad (FYA) program allows students to complete the first two semesters (Fall & Spring) of their Florida State careers abroad. Students choose to spend their first two semesters at any of our four year-round study centers.

DreamSpear Retreat — Panama | July 19–24, 2025 6 days / 5 nights · Only 10 spots available This is not a vacation. It's a high-impact retreat designed for emerging entrepreneurs, creatives, and changemakers who are ready to reconnect with purpose and lead from within. Through curated experiences, you'll explore leadership, self-awareness, and cultural immersion in a supportive and inspiring setting. This is for you if you're: -Starting a new chapter or project -Seeking clarity and meaningful growth -Craving deeper connection and perspective You'll leave with: -Tools for emotional intelligence & conscious leadership -A renewed sense of self and direction -A network of purpose-driven peers Sample Itinerary: Day 1 – Arrive & set intentions in Panama City Day 2 – Travel to Pedasí, beachside immersion Day 3 – Workshops + local culture Day 4 – Adventure: surf, hike, or explore Day 5 – Return to the city & integrate Day 6 – Final reflections & departure

Discover Bocas del Toro, Panama—an archipelago full of stunning biodiversity, from underwater reef ecosystems to rich green rainforests. The mix of cultures in Bocas is as eclectic as its diverse environments. Go behind the scenes in this “paradise” as you study the impacts of tourism and development on the island system’s ecosystems and human communities. Finish the semester by designing and conducting an in-depth field research project to examine sustainability issues through the lenses of policy, socioeconomics, and ecology. 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 laid-back tourist hub of Bocas Town is a short taxi ride away, with access to shops, restaurants, and a vibrant culture as unique as the mix of people living here.