So, this whole program, the trip, and class was not what I expected it to be in the best way possible. Initially, I expected to not enjoy it as much as I did. I?m sincerely glad that it was much better I could possibly hope for.
To begin, I expected the class to be boring and easy, but I quickly learned that I had to do more work than I anticipated and that I would actually enjoy it. For the program, I thought of it was a trip to take in a humid third world country and that the only up-side would be my friends there. However, the opposite became true and since coming to Panama, I?ve learned much more about the country and gained more than what I could have known without the experience.
Before the trip began, I hoped to simply just have fun and maybe learn a few things about the Panama Canal. Since being in this country, I learned more about the culture of the people and the lifestyle they live and how it affects business here. It contrasts the United States so much that in terms of culture that it was a bit of a shock that I greatly enjoyed.
The first big difference I noticed was the difference between socioeconomic classes. One moment, we could be in the city near the banks and the offices and the next we could be in the poverty area. The large gap between the two classes was quite shocking. In the United States, the gap is more gradual, whereas in Panama, it?s very much noticeable. Secondly, was the large use of rice and potato in meals. I have eaten so much starch in the past week, I will be good for another century. Lastly would be paying for public bathrooms. Most public restrooms were about 25 cents to use, which in the United States is almost unheard of.
Overall, I learned much about Panamanian culture and got to know so many people that I had classes with and even met new people. I tired new foods, rode in canoes, and swam in waterfalls. It was one of the greatest experiences that I will not forget.
