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Programs : Brochure

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  • Locations: Bocas del Toro, Panama
  • Program Terms: Summer, Summer I, Summer II
  • Program Homepage: Click to visit
  • Program Sponsor: The School for Field Studies (SFS) 
  • Restrictions: RCNJ applicants only
Dates / Deadlines:
Dates / Deadlines:
Term Year App Deadline Decision Date Start Date End Date
Summer 2025 03/03/2025 ** Rolling Admission TBA TBA
Summer I 2025 03/03/2025 ** Rolling Admission TBA TBA
Summer II 2025 03/03/2025 ** Rolling Admission TBA TBA

** Indicates rolling admission application process. Applicants will be immediately notified of acceptance into this program and be able to complete post-decision materials prior to the term's application deadline.
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Discipline of Study: Anthropology, Biology, Economics, Environmental Science/Studies, International Studies, Latin American Studies, Sociology, Spanish Language Studies Language of Instruction: English
Housing Options: Student Dormitories Minimum GPA: 2.5
Class Status: 1st year (Freshman), 2nd year (Sophomore), 3rd year (Junior), 4th year (Senior), 5th year and beyond (Super Senior), Graduate student Program Type: Study
Program Description:

SFS PANAMA: TOURISM AND ISLAND ECOSYSTEMS (SUMMER I)

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PROGRAM DETAILS

  • Term: Summer Session I
  • Credits: 4 semester-hour credits 
  • Prerequisites: No course prerequisites, 2.5 GPA 18 years of age
  • Application Deadline: April 1st. Early applications encouraged
  • Financial Aid: All accepted students can apply for need-based scholarships, grants, and loans


OVERVIEW

Study abroad in Panama and immerse yourself in the dynamic community of Bocas del Toro. Snorkel and hike through the diverse environments of Bocas – from coral reefs and mangroves to beaches and rainforests – and study human impacts, such as tourism, on the island’s ecosystems and communities. Meet the local residents who depend on both tourism and natural resources and learn about current approaches to sustainable development in the archipelago.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT:
  • Embark on a cross-country road trip from Panama City to Bocas del Toro stopping at sites along the Pacific coast to experience the full breadth of Panama’s culture and biodiversity
  • 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 laid-back 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.


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CONNECT WITH SFS

Visit the SFS website
Call the Admissions Hotline at 800.989.4418
Email admissions@fieldstudies.org
Read updates from the field on the SFS Blog
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