summer session I

Panama

Tropical Island Ecosystems: The Human Impact

At A Glance

04 Weeks | 04 Credits
Summer 2021 (Session II)

Jul 11 - Aug 10

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Prerequisites

None

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Tropical Island Ecosystems: The Human Impact

Bocas del Toro Archipelago

SUMMER 2021 PROGRAM UPDATE: This program, typically offered during the Summer I session, will be offered during the Summer II session for Summer 2021 – see updated dates in the At A Glance box. This program will resume being offered during the Summer I session in 2022. Check out a list of other Summer I programs here.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the program itinerary and details that you find outlined on this page may shift to accommodate enhanced safety measures, park closures, and thoughtful community interaction. This may include but is not limited to the field sites visited, guest lectures, community visits, and other program activities. We will communicate pre-program changes with students and are available to answer any specific questions regarding this program. You can read more about how SFS is addressing COVID-19 on our programs here.

 
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.

  • 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.

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‌Academics

This academically rigorous program follows a six-day/week schedule. The interdisciplinary curriculum is designed to help students actively discover and understand the complexities of environmental, social, and economic issues in Panama. Read more about the SFS program model.

Major academic themes include:

  • Biodiversity and ecosystem health assessments
  • Rainforest and marine ecology
  • Indigenous tourism and sustainability
  • Tourism impacts on ecosystems and human populations
  • Marine protected areas

Courses

On the Tropical Island Ecosystems: The Human Impact program, you will take one 4-credit course. This course is participatory in nature and is designed to foster inquiry and active learning combining lectures, field exercises, assignments, and tests. This course is taught in English.

Click on each course to view a description and download the syllabus

SFS 3000 Tourism and Island Systems: Assessment of Sustainable Practices 4 credits

Core Skills

You will gain practical skills in the field such as: habitat and biodiversity assessment, underwater surveying with transects and quadrats, tourism SWOT analysis, basic Spanish language skills, interview methods, and quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.

Field Sites

You will visit different ecosystems and communities which may include coral reefs, tropical rainforests, coastal forests and beaches, Indigenous Ngöbe communities, island ecosystems, coffee farms and cloud forests in the Chiriquí Highlands, Panama City and the Panama Canal, mangrove forests and seagrass meadows, marine protected areas, banana farms and other agricultural operations, riverine ecosystems, and the vibrant small-town community of Bocas.

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‌Where You'll Be Living

The Center, once a beachfront hotel, is nestled among the slender palms of Isla Colón. You’ll take your classes over the warm waters of the Caribbean and amid 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.

  • Dorm living in four-person bunkrooms
  • Classroom on a sheltered dock above the ocean
  • Air-conditioned student lounge and lab
  • Casual al-fresco dining area, and on-site cooking staff
  • Swimming pool, kayaking, and paddleboarding
  • Volleyball, spikeball, and beachfront hammocks

Click on the icons below to learn more about our Center in Panama.

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