After visiting the host country, the most important lesson I?ve learned is this? the heat and humidity in Panama City is no joke! On a serious note, I have learned more about the people, place, and culture than I could have ever thought possible. From the indigenous community visit to the local area just outside of our hotel, it is without doubt that the Panamanians are a very close-knit group of people. By listening to some of my peers and business professionals we have visited, it is clear that foreigners often perceive Panama as this ?third-world country? who is only known for their Panama Canal. However, they are much more than that. Just by stepping out for dinner or to go out at 10pm, the city is extremely lively in merely the amount of people that are awake at the later hours of the night. It?s great to experience a city without having to rely on a car as the main mode of transportation. Personally, it has given me a first-hand experience of what it would be like to potentially live and work outside of the United States. I believe that my experience has transcended beyond the language barrier, seeing as I do not speak an ounce of Spanish. The most eye-opening experience has been visiting communities that do not have proper access to water or air conditioning. It makes you wonder just how much we take for granted the basic necessities of life here in the United States.
Center for International Business Studies Blog