SIT Study Abroad Panama: Tropical Ecology, Marine Ecosystems, and Biodiversity Conservation
Explore rain forests, coral reefs, highland canopies, and coastal mangroves as you study tropical conservation and ecology.
WHY STUDY TROPICAL ECOLOGY IN PANAMA?
Panama has some of the world’s most biodiverse and complex ecosystems, from highland cloud forests to Caribbean coral reefs. You will conduct seven weeks of field studies in five unique settings in Panama and Costa Rica. Learn how to estimate forest biodiversity, evaluate coral reef health, calculate mangrove carbon, identify tropical fish species, and quantify Neotropical mammal abundance among other skills.
In Panama City, one of the leading bases for international NGOs and the United Nations, you’ll explore conservation topics such as sustainable agriculture, indigenous resource use, and ecotourism. You will also conduct four weeks of independent, original field research project on a topic of your choice.
Your program also includes five homestays during which you will learn about urban and rural life, experience local culture, and examine the environmental challenges these communities face.
In addition, you will develop the Spanish language skills needed to discuss ecological issues and conduct field research through classroom learning, cultural immersion, homestays, fieldwork, and excursions.
Please visit the SIT Study Abroad website for details on the program highlights and details of coursework, educational excursions, and housing.
MONEY MATTERS
SIT is an all-inclusively priced study abroad program – including academics costs, excursions, accommodations and meals, airport transfers, and health insurance. Be sure to discuss how study abroad costs are handled at your school with your study abroad advisor and read the website for more specific information.
SCHOLARSHIPS
SIT has awarded an average of over $1.3 million in scholarships and grants to SIT Study Abroad students in the past three years. All scholarships and grants are need-based. Awards generally range from $500 to $5,000.
CONTACT SIT STUDY ABROAD
Learn to measure blue carbon and marine biodiversity in the coral reefs, mangroves, wetlands, and seagrass beds of the tropical Pacific and the Caribbean.
Key Topics of Study
- Examine the emerging field of blue carbon and its role in climate change.
- Spend six weeks in the field, learning about coastal ecosystems and more.
- Snorkel in one of the top 10 diving sites in the world while conducting research on coral reefs and seagrass beds.
- Appreciate the vital role coastal ecosystems play in climate change mitigation.
- Contribute to ongoing research by completing a two-week independent research project.
Please visit the SIT Study Abroad website for details on the program courses (including syllabi), educational excursions, and housing.
Key Topics of Study
- Marine organism diversity across marine and coastal ecosystems
- Wetland, mangrove, seagrass, and coral reef interdependence and functional diversity
- The emerging field of blue carbon and its relevance and integral role in the context of climate change
- Methods and methodology for measuring blue carbon and marine organism biodiversity
- The role of wetland, mangrove, coral reef, and seagrass bed ecosystems in the carbon process, along with needs of and threats to each ecosystem
Money Matters
Be sure to discuss how study abroad costs are handled at your school with your study abroad advisor.
SIT tuition and room and board fees include the following:
- All educational costs, including educational excursions
- All accommodations and meals for the full program duration
- Transportation to and from the airport, and on all educational excursions
- Health and accident insurance
- SIT awards nearly $1.6 million in scholarships and grants annually.
- All scholarships and grants are need-based.
- Awards generally range from $500 to $5,000.
- Contact the financial aid and/or study abroad office(s) at your college or university to learn if your school’s scholarships and grants and federal and state aid programs can be applied to an SIT Study Abroad program.
Contact SIT Study Abroad
