years-experience access-alumni-network airfare airport-pick-up assistance-with-application-process community-service-placement continuous-support cultural-trips domestic-transport emergency-support field-trips global-competence-certificate grade-transcripts host-family-placement housing individual-contact-person internship-placement language-instruction meals medical-insurance orientations-during-your-time-abroad other pre-departure-orientation product-materials re-entry-orientation school-dipolma school-materials school-placement school-transport school-uniform stipend teaching-materials vaccinations visa-and-passport-fees visa-application-assistance world-wide-presence

As the gateway to South America, Panama is an ideal place to enrich your high school experience. Join teenagers from across the globe on a study abroad journey that will turn your “everyday” completely upside down. By going to a local high school, you’ll be totally immersed in 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. This isn’t just an adventure abroad; this is a whole new reality.

Eligibility Requirements

Winter departure: Participants must be between 15,5 and 17,11  years old on the day of departure.

Summer departure: Participants must be between 14,5 and 17,11  years old on the day of departure.

The AFS Program

After your host parents greet you with traditional hospitality, it shouldn’t be long before you feel at home in their open, friendly community. By going to a local high school, you’ll be totally immersed in a new language and customs, and what you learn during the day will be reinforced at night when you spend time with your host family. This is your chance to break out of your comfort zone and join in this diverse and ever-evolving culture.

Your high school

Every 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.

For more information on fees and scholarships.

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 feel like you can do anything you set your mind to. That transformation isn’t visible only to you, though – others see it as well. AFSers gain critical skills for college and careers, ranging from language fluency to intercultural competence and critical reasoning. “Life-changing” means it’s only the beginning.

 

 

What's included in your experience

  • Airfare
  • Airport Pick-up
  • Host Family Placement
  • Housing
  • Meals
  • School Placement
  • Individual Contact Person
  • Medical Insurance
  • 24/7 Emergency Support
  • School Transport
  • Assistance with Application Process
  • Visa Application Assistance
  • Pre-Departure Orientation
  • Orientations during your time abroad
  • Re-entry Orientation
  • Global Competence Certificate
  • School Materials
  • Access to Alumni Network
  • Continuous Support
  • Worldwide Presence
  • 70 Years Experience

What you are responsible for

  • Vaccinations
  • Visa and Passport Fees
  • Stipend
  • School Uniform