summer session I

Panama

Tourism and Tropical Island Ecosystems

At A Glance

04 Weeks | 04 Credits
Summer 2019

Jun 3 - Jul 3

Open

Prerequisites

None

Sample Itinerary
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Tourism and Tropical Island Ecosystems

Bocas del Toro Archipelago

Immerse yourself in the dynamic community of Bocas del Toro. Snorkel and hike through diverse environments – from coral reefs and mangroves to cloud forests and rainforests – and study the impacts of tourism on the island system and its people. Local residents depend on both tourism and natural resources for their livelihoods, and sustainability is crucial. This summer, learn about current approaches to sustainable tourism in Bocas and what can be done to protect the region’s dynamic tropical ecosystems.

  • Embark on a cross-country road trip from Panama City to Bocas del Toro to experience the full breadth of Panama’s culture, biodiversity, and sustainability practices

Program Costs & Financial Aid

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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.

Major academic themes include:

  • Ecosystem health assessment
  • Biodiversity observations
  • Impacts of tourism on island ecosystems and human livelihoods
  • Approaches to sustainable tourism

Courses

On the Tourism and Tropical Island Ecosystems 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

Field Skills

You will practice valuable skills in the field which may include: terrestrial and marine observation and surveying, tourism SWOT analysis, research design, interview methods, assessment of local tourism providers, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, and Spanish language skills.

Ecosystems

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

Resources

Spend your summer with SFS!

Get more out of your SFS experience when you take two summer sessions with SFS. More time to explore the ecosystems and communities, more time to learn about the complex environmental issues, and more time to learn essential field skills. Sessions feature different course topics and field excursions and you will have time to travel independently between sessions.

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All program components are subject to change.

‌Life in the Field

Among the slender palms and warm sands of Isla Colón lies the Center, a one-time beachfront hotel. At this idyllic field station, you’ll take your classes in the waves of the Caribbean and the surrounding rainforests. The laidback 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 4-person bunkrooms
  • Main building with faculty offices and air-conditioned labs
  • Classroom on a sheltered dock above the ocean
  • Casual al-fresco dining area, on-site cooking staff
  • Swimming pool, kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkeling
  • Volleyball, spikeball, soccer, and beachfront hammocks

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

‌ Meet The Team ‌ Our Research ‌ Community ‌ Semester Program ‌ Stories From The Field