杏吧原创

This program will run from March 11-20, 2027.听

We typically leave on the Thursday right before Spring Break, and return on the final day of the break. Students will need to check with their professors that they are able to miss the classes immediately before Spring Break, but this has not posed any difficulty in the past. We would be happy to work with you on this.听

Below is a proposed itinerary. Please note that this itinerary is subject to change and a final program itinerary will be provided to participants before our departure at the pre-trip meetings.听

听Day 1: Panama

• Your dedicated Kagumu tour guide will meet you at the听airport,

• Check in to your accommodation and relax before exploring听the city

• Evening meal &听introduction to the听program. Enjoy mouth-watering Panama cuisine. Afterwards, the听guides will introduce the program and the aims of the听next 10 days.

• Overnight at a hotel in Panama City

Day 2: Old Town Tour & Hike in Soberania National Park

• Embark on an adventure to explore one of the most important National Parks of Panama. You will gain appreciation the tropical forest and fauna that surrounds the Panama Canal.听
• Lunch in Old Town
• Enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town with the MOLA Museum and explore the main city Plazas.
• Explore UNESCO- site Casco Antiguo where students will visit the incredible streets听 and buildings of Casco Viejo to witness centuries of devotion, community and the architectural evolution of Panama.听
• Evening dinner on your own. You will be given a variety of restaurants to choose from in the city center.听
• Overnight in Panama City

Day 3: Panama City: History, Innovation & the Panama Canal

• Begin the day with a guided walk to Ancon Hill, where听students will enjoy panoramic views of Panama City. Here get听the first look at the area's biodiversity and an overview of the听city.听

• Continue to the Panama Canal Administration Building and听the Panama Canal Library for a conversation with historians.听Students will explore the historical relationship between听Panama and the United States, with a focus on the Canal's听legacy and its impact on both nations.

• Following lunch at the City of Knowledge, students visit a former U.S. military base, now transformed into a thriving听hub for education, research and entrepreneurship.

• In the afternoon, visit the Miraflores Visitor Center to gain a听deeper understanding of the engineering, history, and global听importance of the Panama Canal as one of the world's most听strategic maritime trade routes. Afterwards, our guiding team will lead听a reflection session.

• Evening dinner on your own. You will be given a variety of restaurants to choose from in the city center.听

• Overnight in Panama City.

Day 4: Colon: One of the world's most vital free trade zones

• Depart for Col贸n, Panama's second most important province听and a vital gateway to the Caribbean. Students will board a boat where you will discover and learn about the Chagres River and its magical aquatic history and biodiversity and also get to have sweeping views of the San Lorenzo castle.听

• Students will enjoy a traditional Caribbean lunch.

• Students visit the Col贸n Free Zone, the second-largest free听trade zone in the world. Through a workshop with听representatives from its Educational Department, students听will learn about the Free Zone's strategic role in international听commerce.

• After a reflection session in the afternoon, students hop听aboard a private transfer to head to Portobelo.

• Students will enjoy an evening meal in Portobelo.

• Overnight stay in Portobelo

Day 5: Portobelo: Drumming Workshop & Dance Class

• Portobelo is one of Panama's tropical treasures and the heart听of Afro-Panamanian culture. With its white sand beaches,听charming islands, and picturesque town, Portobelo will leave听you captivated by its beauty. Students will enjoy a local tour of听the area.

• Students enjoy a traditional Caribbean lunch.

• Students will partake in a drumming workshop. During the workshop they will be guided by local young听artists. Students will learn how to play the congo drums, how to dance congo听and dress like a Congo. This is an important part of their afro descendant history and听also gives them the听 opportunity to interact with the local people of听Portobelo that work hard to preserve their traditions.

• Enjoy a local group dinner before a reflection session as
  students reflect upon the day鈥檚 activities.

• Overnight stay in Portobelo

Day 6: Portobelo: Swimming & Snorkeling in the Caribbean

• This morning, students will head to Portobelo Bay and explore the beaches of Playa Blanca, where they can enjoy the blue water by swimming, snorkeling and laying on the beautiful beach.
• Enjoy a local lunch bear the beach.
• Students have a free afternoon to experience the Caribbean vibes of Portobelo. Hang out with friends, walk the beach, visit the village and enjoy the surrounding area.听
• Come back together for a local group dinner.
• Overnight in Portobelo.听

听Day 7: Embera Village: Embera Cultural Immersion & Solar Panel Project

• After an early breakfast, the group hops aboard a bus to travel听to the Ember谩 village. This will be the group鈥檚 home for the听next couple of days.

• Students meet members of the community and dine like a
  local! Share a traditional Ember谩 lunch.

• While here, students will install solar panels in the community's public space. Therefore, n the afternoon, we will start the technical orientation (with听a local technician and bilingual facilitator) and tour of the听communal area where solar panels will be installed.

• Enjoy a local group dinner before a reflection session. Reflections are a key part of any Kagumu service project and听offers students the ideal opportunity to truly understand the听impact of the day鈥檚 activity and develop an understanding and听听appreciation of new cultures.

• Overnight stay in the Embera community in traditional housing at a community members home.听

Day 8: Embera Village: Solar Panel Project & Cultural Evening

• Today, students begin the solar panel installation. Students听team up with community volunteers and tech supervisors.听Tasks include: mounting brackets, panel setup, and wiring听preparation.

• Students will enjoy another home-cooked lunch in the听community.

• Students continue the panel assembly, inverters, and battery听setup. Community youth may assist or observe for training听purposes. The group will finish with a short educational听exchange on sustainable energy.

• Cultural night and reflection dinner with a Ember谩 dance and music presentation. Students will share reflections, songs, or cultural听elements in return.

• Overnight stay in the Embera community in traditional housing at a community members home.听

Day 9: Embera to Panama City: Hike/Waterfall

• After breakfast, the group will be led by Ember谩 guides听through a pristine rainforest on a stunning hike. Students will听get the chance to swim and relax at a beautiful jungle waterfall.

• Students lunch with members of the community and dine like
  a local! Share a traditional Ember谩 lunch.

• Students are transferred by bus to Panama City.听

• Students have a free evening to dine and explore and听pick up some locally-made gifts for friends and family back home.in the city. Note: this听dinner is not included.

• Overnight stay in Panama City.

Day 10: Departure Day

• Your guides will take the group to the airport for your flight back home.听

While in Panama City, students will stay in a hotel, in doubles or triples. While in Portobelo, students will stay in a hostel. Lastly, while in the Embera village, you will stay in traditional housing at one of the community members homes.听The home-stay experience facilitates language learning and active participation in the culture and society of the local community members and their heritage.

The Program Fee for 2027 is $3,250.00

Program Fee Includes:

• Round trip airfare
• All accommodations
• All activities, entry fees, tours, etc. listed in the itinerary
• All in-country transportation
• All meals part of the itinerary
• Transportation to and from the Rochester airport
• International travel and medical insurance

Not Included:

• Passport (must be valid at least 6 months past the return date of the program).听
• Additional meals (meals not in the itinerary)
• Miscellaneous expenses (such as souvenirs, personal care items, etc.)

Funding Sources:

For SPARK eligible students, you will receive the $1,500 SPARK Grant from the Center for Life's Work. Your final cost is $1,750.00.

For non-SPARK eligible students, you may be eligible for funding from the Center for International Education. Your final cost is $2,800.00

Our partner organization Kagumu, is also offering funding through the Please read through the various requirements to see if you qualify. If you have any questions, please reach out to Josh Fess.听

Visit the following sites to see the recommended immunizations and medications for your program. Talk with your family and your physician to understand which ones you may need to travel.听

There are two steps in the application process.

Step 1: Please complete the by October 18th.

Step 2: Please complete the Student Application Checklist 听You can print it out and bring it to GAC 121 or email it to Chrissy Miller at cmiller81@naz.edu.