Step out of your comfort zone

My time in Panama not only gave me a sense of purpose but it also challenged me to work more diligently and exceed academic expectations. Being abroad has enhanced my academic pursuits by networking with peers of different interests of my own to expose me to different options. I believe that if you are a student who is struggling to figure out which career path to take, this study abroad will be great for you. My time in Panama really helped me reflect on myself as far as goal setting and has allowed me to put into perspective what exactly I would like to achieve or learn while there.

The people I encountered were so incredibly nice and patient, especially since my Spanish is not the best. I believe I have not only improved my ability to communicate in Spanish, but also through food and dance. While staying in Panama City as well as Bocas Del Toro I was able to share music and dance with people from all over including an Indigenous tribe. Dancing is a universal language that allows everyone to communicate and share their feelings with one another.

Something I would encourage other students to do while studying abroad is to live in the moment and to be open-minded. As Americans, we tend to have high expectations about things such as living
arrangements and site seeing. To many, looking at statues or even things like flowers are anti-climactic but to the people of Panama, it is history and culture they honor and try to keep alive.

The biodiversity in Panama is extremely abundant and rich with things such as bright neon flowers or even colorful birds. The air is fresh and crisp, and the mornings are always delicate, waking up to bright pink skies and the sound of animals rising is something that I will always cherish in my heart. I hope that when others visit, they cherish those images as well because it is nothing like anyone has seen.

Panama is also a very diverse place as far as people are concerned because while there is beautiful history, there is also dark history and unfortunately colonialism. This program was intimidating at first because usually there are few minorities that attend but I can guarantee that if you are someone of an underrepresented community when staying in Panama, you will see many races and shades of brown. So do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and apply immediately!

Name: LaMonica Reeves
Status: Junior
Major: Neuroscience
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
Program: American Colonialism and the Creation of Biodiversity in Panama