Florida State University Panama

Although this video is a few years old, the FSU International Program in Panama is the same life-changing experience. Students are fully emerged in the Panamanian lifestyle and encounter many academic, professional, and cultural experiences while studying here. Check out the video to see the beautiful scenery of Panama City, Panama!

Students Reflect on their Amazonian Experience

“My time in Iquitos is one of the most significant periods in my life. I was not only challenged every day in Spanish conversation with my host family and locals (which allowed me to rapidly improve my skills), but also I encountered a variety of learning experiences, interactions, and activities that helped me solidify a new way of looking at the world. After my time in Iquitos, I feel like a citizen of the world and know I am competent enough to travel by myself for the rest of my life. I have to applaud the authenticity of the program. There was nothing fake or Americanized about this program. I stayed with a Peruvian family, worked with locals in a hospital and NGO, and visited several Amazonian communities. All of these opportunities allowed me to embrace the culture in its entirety while learning a great deal about my own. I certainly gained an awareness of many perspectives that cannot be found anywhere else and incorporated them into my own life. I can no longer view reality or humanity’s relationship with nature the same because of everything I learned. The combination of a traditional college class focused on the Amazon and its people followed by time in the basin itself allowed me to appreciate the trip as a whole because I could better grasp the processes behind the many things I saw. The trip was so influential that I am still not completely adjusted to being back in the States, and I wish I could spend more time in Latin America.”    David DeStephano (Summer 2015)

“The journey into Amazonia was breathtaking.  Everywhere I turned, I learned something new: a new perspective, a new language, and by the end of the trip, a new outlook.  My internship was working in a very poor community with the Organization Infant.  Infant’s main goal was to show the importance of the rights of children.  Every day I talked, read, did arts and crafts, and taught gymnastics to the children.  These children taught me more about life than any other experience I have ever had.  I left this trip knowing in my heart that I had made a difference, and that’s truly what matters to me.”   Angela Stein   (Summer 2015)

 

 “Going on this trip was the most rewarding experience of my life. I became more self-assured, confident and decisive. I learned about what I wanted and didn't want in my life; I matured significantly; and I took on responsibilities I previously thought I was incapable of handling. I learned a lot of my own value and developed strong ties with locals. My host family was warm and inviting. They said that I their house was also my as soon as I arrived. I felt embraced by a warm culture from the moment I got there, and personal challenges aside, I would do it all over again.” Stephanie Strickland  (Summer 2015)

“This cultural immersion program was a major stepping stone for my personal growth. I was looking for a program where I could experience something to remember for a life time and something completely extraordinary, and Journey into Amazonia was definitely it. I had the unique experience of living with a wonderful family, working for a program that highly impacted the community, and traveling into the Amazon rainforest with amazing people while studying the culture and language of the Amazon. My internship taught me so much by working hand in hand with communities in need and by giving me an opportunity to offer my help. The excursions were greatly structured and offered the students so much exposure of the genuine culture of the Amazon. Studying the beautiful plants and animals helped me gain a stronger connection to the Earth and gave me a stronger drive to protect it. I was honored to be able to have these experiences. They are ones that cannot be found elsewhere. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of this program; this experience was one of a kind and has had a strong positive impact on my view of life.”  (Dora Fish, Summer 2015)

                       

"The Service and Learning Journey to Amazonia was an unforgettable experience. I learned so much about the culture and the indigenous cosmovisions. Camping in the primary forest and learning about the importance of the medicinal plants was extremely fascinating.  Living with a host family was fantastic. They were very kind and accommodating. The food they prepared was always delicious. I was always comfortable and I felt at home. It was also great for constantly improving my Spanish. I'm positive I will return to the amazon to learn more and to visit the life-long friends that I met there.  It's difficult to encompass all of the feelings I have about my time in Iquitos. It was overwhelmingly different but beautiful. I am so thankful for this experience!" Shannon Morris (Summer 2015)

"My time in Amazonia was the most influential experience I could have hoped for. From the first day I arrived in Iquitos till the very last day of the program, I was always enriched by the culture. Amazonia allowed me to open my eyes to real world problems that are occurring not only in Peru, but all around the world. Amazonia also allowed me to open my heart; it taught me how to help others in the most effective way possible. From this program, I truly felt as though I was a part of positive change. Not only did I gain knowledge of people and our environment, I also learned a lot about myself. My time in Amazonia made me more confident and caring. It also allowed me to narrow what I would like to focus on in my academic future.” Malia Byrtus (Summer 2015)

 

    

“I always knew that there was a different way of life out there, but after experiencing it first hand, my views are forever changed. Being in Peru taught me to not take for granted any of the things we have in the US, especially my car; although, the motokars there are most fun transportation ever! Also, the family bonds run so deep in the Amazonian culture that it made me reconsider my family relationships/values and make changes. Even teaching English at UNAP has made me become a better student this semester at FSU. The people of Amazonia have very few possessions, but the love and wisdom they give you makes you feel like the richest person in the world. And even though I am not fluent in Spanish and that was the most difficult aspect of my trip, I would go back to Iquitos in a heartbeat.”  Jennifer Law (Summer 2015)

“My time in Iquitos was nothing short of life-changing. During my month there, through intensive cultural immersion, I was shown a vastly different reality than my own- which resulted in me gaining an entirely new perspective. This program gives you the tools you need to make the most of your experience, to truly immerse yourself in the culture and interact with the locals, who are incredibly warm-hearted and generous people. I made life-long friendships and connections while I was in Peru, and I would go back in an instant.”  Shauna N. Gillooly   (Summer 2015)

Please visit http://fla.st/20CaZy7 for more information.

What makes Valencia so Unique

By Parker Gordon

Before partaking in FSU’s study abroad program, I had no firsthand accounts of any European cities. I was so anxious to get off the plane and see for myself what architecture and atmosphere these places would consist of. Two months in Valencia provided me with all I needed to know to understand the uniqueness of the Valencian capital. Madrid and Barcelona are the two gems that people put on their lists of places to visit in Spain. However, they are melting pots of tourists and camera flashes that can sometimes overtake the extraordinary environment of the Spanish people, architecture, and culture.

The uniqueness of Valencia starts with an authentic environment of Spanish culture and everyday life. Siestas are a daily custom that will catch your eye as you walk through downtown Valencia in the afternoon. Cafes, shops, and other business close till the early evening. This displays the individuality of Spanish society compared to the United States and even other countries within the European Union. The absence of large tourists groups and commercialism throughout the city provides a perfect learning environment for students learning Spanish and studying abroad.

Valencia provides many flavors of culture that are unique to the city compared to other places. This city is littered with street art that you won’t find in bigger metropolises throughout Spain. The street art is a true expression of Spanish artwork and provides a positive essence for streetwalkers. Besides street art and authentic Spanish culture, Valencia contains a dried river-bed called Jardines de Turia. The river-bed is comprised of ponds, bridges, sculptures, sunbathers and talented street performers. There is also something to partake in this city without the hustle and bustle of vacationers overflowing the streets and sights.

Valencia is extremely unique and provides the perfect learning environment for FSU students. The uniqueness of FSU’s study center stands in the shadows of the Torres Del Serranos hugging the Jardines de Turia. There is no better location to fulfill your study abroad experience in all of Spain.

 

Getting to Know the Locals in Valencia

By Parker Gordon

Valencia is an extremely authentic city, which separates itself from the metropolises of Madrid and Barcelona. Flocks of tourists are nonexistent which are common sightings in the Catalonian capital as well as Madrid. Meeting locals is something I wanted to experience on a personal basis.  Everyone who engages in the FSU-Valencia program has his or her own passions and desires that brought them there in the first place. Some students choose to solely study within the FSU study center and partake in the nightlife Valencia offers. I, on the other hand had a thirst to absorb the language and the native Valencian’s values that separate them from us Americans.

If you are extremely passionate about the Spanish language and have the desire to really sense what a Valencian thinks, please take advantage of the Intercambio sessions that usually occur nightly at the beginning of the week. Intercambios are when you meet native Valencians or Spaniards in a real-life social setting to help improve each other’s language skills. These sessions provide a relaxed and comforting environment to meet locals on a first name basis while speaking a foreign language. Everyone present at these sessions is extremely open to meeting new people as well as critiquing your language skills in a respectful manner. Each day, I would apply something I learned in class into the real-life conversations that are provided in an intercambio session. In addition, if something puzzles you regarding Spanish, feel free to try and clear up any confusion you are having with a native Spanish speaker. These were truly the most rewarding part of my weeks in Valencia and were the best way to truly interact with the locals.

Meeting locals does require knowing some Spanish to help converse and navigate your way around the city. The best word to describe meeting locals is certainly, “proactive”. Besides intercambio sessions, you can head to the local soccer pitch or basketball courts and really experience the adolescent flavor of what Valencians are truly like. The intercambio session offers a mostly older crowd who are looking to improve their English speaking skills, while engaging in athletic activities shows what the younger people are like. In addition, the beach is always a tremendous hotspot to interact with the locals. Volleyball and soccer games are the norm when strolling up and down the Mediterranean coast in Valencia. Aside from the beach and the athletics aspect, cafes offer a vibrant atmosphere for some flowing conversation over a café con leche.


Please be proactive regarding your experiences in Valencia. Time flies and you really want to make the most of it. No one should ever feel unsafe or unwelcomed by the natives of Valencia or Spain in general. This is a truly amazing country with so much to offer and the FSU-Valencia program is among the best in the country!