Program Details
| Program Length | Approx. Start Date | Approx. End | 2009 Price | Age on Departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Study | Year Program Aug 19-21 |
Return Jul 7-10 |
$8,900 | 18 yr 0 mos - 23 yr 0 mos |
| Community Service | Semester Program Aug 19-21 |
Return Jan 28-30 |
$7,900 | 18 yr 0 mos - 29 yr 0 mos |
All programs to Panama depart from Miami.
Note about travel dates: Travel date ranges are provided to help with general scheduling. Please do not reserve any domestic travel based on these dates. AFS will notify confirmed participants with specific travel details approximately 45 days prior to departure.
About Panamá
The warm and hospitable people of Panamá’s will welcome you with open arms. The country’s name comes from a Native American word meaning “place of many fish,” and here you’ll find beaches of unparalleled beauty with coral gardens lining their shores and rainforests with exotic animals and rare birds everywhere. Mestizos, people of mixed Native American and European descent, make up 70 percent of the population, but the country is also home to seven different indigenous groups and boasts sizable West Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, and American populations. From the cosmopolitan financial center of Panamá City, to the Chiriqui Highlands cloud forest, to the isolated San Blas Islands in the Caribbean, there’s much to experience and learn in Panamá.
Gap Program, Semester Community Service
Volunteer in Panamá and make a difference in a rural community! Past projects included working with children; assisting forest rangers of the National Environmental Authority; supporting health workers; or helping teachers in the classroom. AFS also organizes orientations, an optional trip to coastal islands, local activities in the community (trips to the beach and mountains), and educational trips to museums, factories, and craft centers. You may live with a host family or in housing through the community service organization, depending on the project. Take this opportunity to discover the beauty of Panamá and help others as you do!
View PDF Brochure for Panama Community Service Program.
University Study, Year Program
Spend a year in Panamá, attend university, and live with a host family—what a great learning opportunity! The school year is divided into two semesters: March through July and August through December. Your classes will either be in the morning or afternoon, and before you arrive you’ll choose from a list of subjects. High academic responsibility is required and is measured through homework and exams. At the program’s close, you will be issued a certificate of attendance.
All programs, prices, and travel dates are subject to change without notice.
