Jenna Bush once said, “I’m aware that not all kids can pick up and fly to Panama. I’m very lucky.” The preparation prior to going to Panama helped me know what to expect, but learning about a place and going there are very different. Immersing yourself in another culture allows you to better understand the people and their customs. In summary, my impression of Panama changed throughout the duration of the trip.
Prior to going to Panama, I knew it was a country with unequally distributed wealth. I did not realize how large the gap between the poor and wealthy was until coming. The people in Panama City do relatively well; however, there is a large population in the rural areas that are extremely poor.
The company visit to Halliburton was an amazing experience, and it surprised me to see how their operations in the city are not too different from the work life of people in America. We visited the city in the beginning of our trip, so it gave me the impression that Panama was relatively developed. However, I was able to see the opposite side of Panama when we traveled to the rural regions, such as Coclé.
My client was based in Coclé, and I loved working with him. Even though he did not have much, he always had a smile on his face. He was eager to learn, and I enjoyed being able to help him improve his business. I knew helping our clients would mean a lot to them, but the difference it made was bigger than I could have imagined.
My understanding of their daily lives changed, but so did my understanding of their culture. I enjoyed eating Panamanian food and learning about their family life. I also enjoyed the artwork, such as the molas. These elements of their lives are very important to them. For example, the molas are hand-made pieces of art made by the indigenous people of Panama. The molas are more than art to them, and the ability to make a mola is regarded as a special gift. Molas are a way for the indigenous people to protect their culture. All in all, to them the molas are not a piece of clothing, but a symbol of community.
In summary, my perspective of Panama has changed greatly throughout the trip. I am able to understand their daily lives by seeing the differences throughout the various regions of Panama. I am also able to understand their culture better by interacting with different Panamanians and listening to their stories. Additionally, I participated in various activities to immerse myself in their culture such as eating their food, wearing Panamanian clothes, and creating a mola. In conclusion, I am grateful for the unique experience to travel to Panama to broaden my perspective and to make a lasting difference in my client’s life.
