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High School in Panama

As the gateway to South America, Panama is an ideal place to rewrite your high school experience.

High School in Panama

Experience the warmth of the Panamanian culture, try new and flavorful dishes, and make connections that will last you a lifetime! By going to a local high school, you’ll be totally immersed in the vibrancy and joy of Panamanian language and culture, and what you learn during the day will be reinforced at night when you go home to your own host family and community. Through the homestay and local school experience, you’ll learn Panama’s history, participating in community events like parades, festivals, and other folkloric holidays.

Things to know

Life in Panama is full of color and excitement – with its tropical climate and friendly, easygoing people, you’ll never be without something new to experience! As a cultural melting pot, Panama draws influences from across the globe. African, Caribbean, Indigenous, Spanish, Middle Eastern, and North American elements can be found in Panamanian life. After gaining independence from Colombia in 1903, the building of the Panama Canal brought an influx of immigrants into Panama, contributing to its unique cross-section of cultures. Because of its wide range of cultural influence and central location, people across Panama boast their own unique qualities and traditions. You’re even likely to encounter popular U.S. past times, such as basketball and baseball!

Panamanians highly value politeness and hospitality, so expect to spend a lot of time greeting and getting to know the people around you. You’ll say “buenos dias” or “buenos noches” to almost everyone you pass!

What's included in your experience

  • Airfare

Eligibility

Graduates Eligible? Yes, high school graduates are eligible to participate.
Minimum GPA 2.5
Age Range (at program start) 15 years and 0 months to 18 years and 0 months
Language Skills No language requirement but A1 Spanish recommended.

Based on differences in culture, strict government regulation of medications, and other local customs, it has been our experience that not all of our international AFS partners are able to support students with certain diagnoses, including but not limited to, severe allergies, strict dietary restrictions, ADD/ADHD, and those currently taking or who have taken psychotropic medications and/or received counseling for mental/psychological issues within the past year. If this applies to you, please get in touch with an AFS Study Abroad Specialist early so that we can determine the right experience for you.

Your Journey to Panama

Your journey to Panama will begin when you land in Panama City! You’ll be welcomed by AFS Staff and Volunteers and have an orientation before you head to your new community. Along the way, you’re bound to notice the vast diversity of Panama – both in landscape and people. You’ll pass areas that are bustling commercial centers, with people shouting as they rush down the street. Then what may feel like only moments later, you’ll notice lush tropical landscapes out your window, dotted with small, traditional villages. No matter where you are, though, you’re likely to find colorful markets with fresh fruit juice carts lining the streets.

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Accommodations

Meeting Your Host Family in Panama

AFSers have lived in communities all throughout Panama, but you’ll most likely be in a small town or rural area. Young adults who aren’t married tend to live with their parents, so there’s a chance you’ll have an older host sibling living at home with you.

You can expect to spend weekends with the extended family, gathering together to enjoy conversation and a home-cooked meal. Each region in Panama also hosts its own unique festival with music and dancing. The whole community takes part in the preparation, sharing tasks and celebrating the end result!

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Daily Life

Teenage Life in Panama

You’ll have the chance to form close connections with some of the first people you’ll meet in Panama, since most teenagers spend their time with school friends when they’re not with family. Classmates like to form study groups that meet before exams, and they’ll organize weekend events together, too. In your free time, you can join friends going to dances, to the movies, or just hanging out in the park. Baseball, soccer, and basketball are popular, but no matter what the activity, teenagers generally like to hang out in a group, rather than solo.

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Your High School in Panama

Every study abroad experience is different, but you’ll most likely go to a public high school. You’ll work with AFS Staff to choose your field of study among topics like business, humanities, sciences, etc. While not all of your classes will focus on that subject, it will give you the chance to explore what you’re passionate about, and talk to other students with shared interests. High schools in Panama have either morning sessions from 7 to 12:30, or afternoon sessions from 1:15 to 5:30, so you’ll have lots of free time to study or see friends. Like in most areas in the world, you’ll wear a uniform.

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Food You’ll Encounter

The foods of Panama reflect the cultural range of its people. Drawing its largest culinary influences from its Colombia, Caribbean, and North American influences, food in Panama features corn, beans, and rice, alongside seafood and tropical fruits/vegetables. Rice is the staple – you’ll almost never see a meal without it. You’ll also see a lot of meat, beans, platanos (a type of banana) and vegetables like tomatoes, carrots and cabbage. Most dishes aren’t too spicy. Whatever the meal, you’ll often get a sweet, cold drink called “chicha” along with it. Unlike most other Latin American countries, mealtime tends to be pretty informal. Aside from big family dinners, you and your family might eat at different times, each person grabbing food when you’re hungry.

What's Included

  • 75+ years of experience delivering high-quality programs through a worldwide network of 30,000 dedicated volunteers
  • Accommodations with a vetted host family
  • Round-trip international airfare for the designated program dates
  • School enrollment fees
  • Worldwide, 24-hour emergency assistance
  • Access to an in-country support team and network, as well as our Participant Support Department based here in the U.S.
  • Orientations and intercultural education before and during your program
  • International secondary medical travel coverage
  • Visa support and guidance
  • Inclusion in a worldwide returnee and alumni network of over 1,000,000 people

Visa Info

Do I need a visa/residence permit for France ? Yes.
How do I apply for the visa? (By mail, In-person, In host country) In the host country
Visa/Residence Permit Process Difficulty Level (Easy, Average, Complex) Average
Estimated Visa/Residence Permit Expenses
($ – $$$)		 $$-$$$
Frequently Asked Visa Questions Visit our general visa FAQ page for more information.

Scholarships and Aid

We believe in the power of intercultural experiences and the potential of our students! That’s why we’re dedicated to meeting the demonstrated financial need of accepted applicants. The deadline to be considered for scholarships for semester and year-long programs departing July through September is December 5th. Learn more and view all deadlines below!

Learn More View Deadlines

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Returning Home

“Life-changing” is hard to describe, yet it’s nearly always the first thing that AFSers say when asked about their experience abroad. “Transformed” is another one.
When you return home, if you’re like most AFSers, you’ll bring with you a sense of accomplishment unlike any other. You’ll have gained maturity and independence, discovered new passions, and developed the confidence and resilience to accomplish anything you set out to do.

That transformation isn’t only visible to you, though – others see it as well. AFSers gain critical skills for college and careers. Second language fluency, intercultural competence, creativity, and critical reasoning will help you succeed, whatever path you take. “Life-changing” means it’s only the beginning.

It’s not just an adventure abroad; it’s a whole new reality. The perspectives and personal connections you gained will stay with you and likely draw you back to the second home you found in Panama.

In fact, our alumni reviews have made AFS one of the top-rated organizations in the study abroad industry.