Off the Beaten Path: Excursions in Panama!

Panama is a beautiful country full of diverse landscapes, adventure, and amazing outdoor activities. Our excursions are designed to make the most out of all the exciting things Panama has to offer from tours of Panama City, to visiting the Panama Canal, to zip lining through the jungle. In addition, the excursions will take you to unique places and introduce you to parts of Panama most tourists will never have to opportunity to experience. Here are just a few of my favorite off the beaten path Panama excursions.

Coclé

The first excursion I went on in Panama was to Coclé, a region in the interior of the country just a few hours from Panama City. We boarded the bus bright and early and stopped for a delicious Panamanian breakfast before visiting Natá de los Caballeros (the oldest surviving town in Panama) to tour a nearby archaeological dig site. The next stop on our trip was a rice farm. I thought a rice farm sounded a bit boring, but it ended up being the best part of the day! The family that owned the farm invited us into their home for a delicious lunch before showing us around the rice fields. After learning a lot about rice (which is actually really interesting!) we headed back to their house where we relaxed in hammocks and played with some cute puppies. To end the day, we went horseback riding around the farm and enjoyed the countryside scenery.

Embera Village

One of the most incredible experiences of my life was visiting the Embera tribe on an excursion. After making our way down a bumpy dirt road, we climbed into handmade dugout canoes and headed into the jungle. We meandered our way upstream and finally made it to the Embera village, still untouched by the modern world. We toured the village, which consisted of about a dozen huts, and learned about the Embera culture through song and dance. For lunch, we had fresh fish and plantains cooked over a fire and served on a banana leaf. After spending the afternoon in the village, we climbed back into the canoes and began our journey out of the jungle and back to Panama City. It was such a unique and eye opening experience, we couldn't stop talking about it for weeks!

El Valle

El Valle is a popular mountain town located in an ancient volcanic crater about 2 hours from Panama City. We left early and stopped for some roadside breakfast before beginning our first activity of the day: horseback riding through the mountains. The scenery was absolutely amazing, and even though our horses had some attitude, we had a great time. The next stop on our trip was the El Valle Zoo where we got to hang out with some monkeys, sloths, and the endangered Panamanian Golden Frog. After lunch in town, we set off to the mountains where we hiked to a waterfall. Afterwards, we headed to our last stop of the day, the hot springs, where we relaxed after our hike and got to try some weird volcanic face masks. We enjoyed El Valle so much that we ended up going again a few months later!

Pedasí

Pedasí is a quaint town located on the Azuero Peninsula about 5 hours from Panama City. This excursion was 3 days/2 nights and was one of my favorites because of the wide variety of activities we did. We left Panama City super early Friday morning and headed to our first stop, the Ron Abuelo rum factory. We put on some hard hats and toured the factory. We got to learn about how rum is made and stored. Our next stop was a tuna farm. Your probably thinking “What?? A tuna farm??”. It's okay because those were my exact thoughts as well. Turns out tuna is really interesting! Afterwards we headed to our hostel in Pedasí and explored the town a little bit before having a delicious BBQ and heading to bed early. The next morning we set off for Isla Caña, an isolated beach popular with nesting sea turtles. Next, we headed to Playa Venao, a popular surfing destination in Panama. There was actually a surfing competition going on the day we were there, which was really cool! On our last day in Pedasí we took a 30 minute boat ride to Isla Iguana where we spent the morning and afternoon snorkeling in the crystal clear waters before heading back to Panama City.

 Written by: Lauren Stuart 

Travel Tip: Spend a Weekend in a Lesser-Known City

Most travelers are familiar with Italian cities such as Milan, Rome, and Naples. These are the cities with miraculous views, endless activities, and waves of interesting people. These are the “must see” cities, but they are not the only places to find adventure. After studying abroad in Italy, I would suggest visiting small, discrete places. Whether you visit for a day or a weekend, you never know what you may find. My friends and I spent a weekend in Padua, Italy, which (despite its many attractions) often goes unnoticed by the majority. After three train rides and a lot of confusion, we started to regret our decision to travel to this city. Upon our arrival, we were worried that Padua would be a disappointment, but despite our concerns, we ended up discovering the Arena Chapel, the Botanical Garden of Padova, and streets filled with restaurants and boutiques. I think going somewhere different offers a unique experience, something you'll never forget. As much as I loved Florence, Venice, and Milan, these cities tend to be overcrowded. With the tourist menus and English signs everywhere, you can sometimes miss the more authentic side of the country. The best advice is to go explore somewhere new. The risk is worth it.

 

By: Courtney Merolle, FSUIP Alumna

FSU International Programs Valencia 2005

 

 

The style in 2005 might be different, but Valencia, Spain is the same now as it was then- incredible! Check out this video to learn about some of the excursions from 2005 that this program continues today. This is a great blast-from-the-past video that shows so much of what Valencia has to offer. For more information about the Valencia program visit http://fla.st/1G0h54Z.

Florence 1975

 

I’ve always been fascinated with communication, so in my senior year of college, I decided to put that passion to use and go on the Florence Program. I was a music student at FSU and ended up taking basic studies throughout my four years, so I could also tend to music making. My freshman year I was shocked to learn that even instrumentalists had to sing.  Not only did we have to sing, we learned to do so in Italian. That experience made going on the Florence Program a natural choice.

Forty years later my Italian alter ego is still fun to flaunt!  The world has changed a lot and offers many virtual experiences, but there is nothing like that “we’re not in Kansas anymore” experience to give meaning to the American experience. I learned more about myself and what shapes my thoughts and attitudes in Italy than anywhere I’ve visited in the United States. 

It was intimidating to be on the program with so many art majors, but I carried my flute with me everywhere and played it in some memorable places. Some of these included inside the Ear of Dionysius, on the ruins in Agrigento, and after dinner at a Sicilian sulfur mine. 

 

Studying about Italian history gave me great insight, because I later married an Italian, took Italian citizenship, owned a home in Italy, and helped my son with his geometra (a kind of Italian high school) homework. When I want to understand what’s going on in the world, I appreciate being able to understand Italian in order to get another viewpoint not governed by the United States’ mass media.
 

Today, most young Italians understand, if not speak, English, and I heard that Florence’s famous Vivoli’s ice cream will be available at Disney's EPOC soon. So, why go on the Florence Program?  Florence is a gem that can’t be totally appreciated in a few months but one can be totally enveloped by the city and be connected with other wonderful areas in Italy while studying in Florence. Italy isn’t quite as standardized as in the United States, so one can experience interesting regional differences without going great distances.  Heck, go up in the mountains in Tuscany and see the ghiacciaie that helped to make Vivoli’s ice cream possible. 

As one understands the language and how Italians care to communicate; the Italian legal system; the Italian health care system; the Italian appreciation for historical patrimony; the Italian appreciation for the arts; the Italian love of sports; and the Italian quirky habits, one also begins to understand how Americans use English; what Americans value; along with American social systems.

Avanti Sevoia! Go for it!  Make your Italian adventure count.

Deborah Nelson

Florence, Italy, 1975 alumna

Retrospective Realizations

As I sit in the airport waiting to head home, I keep thinking about some of the things I learned while I was on my study abroad program, some of which may be helpful to others. One suggestion I have for those traveling is to keep a journal. I have a terrible memory, so I invested in a leather journal my first day in Florence, Italy and recorded all of my adventures. Without this journal, in just a few years I would forget many memories of Italy. With the same idea in mind, I also relied on the app Day One. This app is a photo journal that records the date, location and time a picture was taken, as

well as allowing you type a comment about the picture. Little things like this will help you keep track of all the experiences you have traveling. Another important tip is to make the most of your time abroad. I know that sounds obvious, but after a few days you may think taking a long nap is no big deal or skipping a museum is fine. However, it’s important to remember that your time abroad is going to come to an end, and it usually comes much faster than expected. Don't try to pack everything in at the end of your stay. I advise you to spread it out and plan accordingly. If you're not a museum person, find other activities. I love coffee and found a class that taught you how to create coffee art. I wanted to see a performance, so my friends and I attended a ballet in Fiesole, a beautiful city only 20 minutes outside of Florence. There is always something to do in a foreign city, so don't spend too much time on homework or catching up on sleep. You'll regret not doing more in the end. 

 

Author: Courtney Merolle

Budgeting- Let’s Be Realistic

London is an expensive place to live- and eat. Especially when the conversion rate is around 1.5 US Dollars to 1 GB Pound. No, London is not just a large but still quaint, English city. It is the business capital of the world and an international melting pot equitable to living in New York City. In preparation for my study abroad this summer I thought, “It’ll be so great to have a flat where I can cook all of my meals. I’ll average about $4 per meal!”- No.

            Any place you study abroad you will want to experience the local cuisine as much as possible. As someone who enjoys cooking, I have found myself cooking dinners at home only about one night a week. I eat lunches at home another 1-2 days and most breakfasts. Other than that, I’m always out and about in the city, traveling, exploring new places, not worrying about getting back to the flat to make myself a sandwich when I can pick one up on every street corner- beautifully prepared with a side of crisps from Pret a Manger.

           Problem #2 with trying to plan ahead and keep a well-stocked fridge: the food goes bad within a matter of days. Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve found the downside of the fresh, non-GMO, preservative-free food populating the grocery stores in the UK- it rots at rapid speed. Here, it’s the social norm to run to your local Sainsbury’s or Waitrose to grab your next meal every day, maybe twice a day. Keeping large amounts of food at home isn’t realistic for a busy student like you or me. When your bread, deli meats, and cheese are all perishing at different paces and you don’t want to buy a whole bottle of mustard or mayonnaise for the 1 to 2 months you’ll be here, why bother? Just go to Itsu and get some half-priced sushi between 7-8pm and punch another notch in your loyalty card.

            BUT don’t let all this get you down! There are still plenty of ways to stay on track and on budget while studying abroad in London:

-Sainsbury’s offers a meal deal of either a sandwich, pasta, or salad with crisps (chips) and a drink for 3 pounds (about $4.5). Stop by in the morning and bring it with while you’re traipsing around town.

-Have “family dinners” with your flat mates. As often as we can, my flat mates and I take turn cooking for each other. When you buy ingredients from the store, it’s going to be enough to feed 5 anyways.

-Don’t spend money on water bottles. All of the tap water in London is safe to drink and tastes fine! Keep 1 or 2 bottles at home and reuse them.

            Be sensible with your spending on food but know that a typical meal out is going to average 6-10 GBP (tack on 4 GBP if you plan on getting a drink). This will come out to about $15-$20 per meal. 

Budget accordingly and you’ll have a recipe for success. Cheers!

A Postcard from Florence

Two Florida State University students, Jordan Park and Paige Granfield,  share how studying abroad with International Programs gave them the opportunity to explore the world and broaden their horizons in the realm of education and self-discovery. 

Expectations and Tips for Study Abroad Students

By: Angeles Ross

Homesickness is common and absolutely understandable, but don’t let it ruin your experience.

When you start to feel homesick, engage that energy into making new friends, going out into the city to explore or people watch. Writing journals can help organize your thoughts and memories so you have something you can use to look back on your experience. Skyping with family and friends at least once a week will provide you with a chance to catch-up on what is going on in each other’s lives. Whatever you do, don’t spend countless hours in your room watching Netflix and eating Nutella out of a jar. Whether you are studying abroad for a year or a month, enjoy every moment because eventually it will come to an end.

If there is a language barrier, be patient and give yourself time to adapt.

The locals generally understand that you are not originally from that area and it is challenging at times to communicate. Just try your hardest to learn a few basic terms and phrases that could be useful in day-to-day life. Don’t assume that everyone knows English. It always helps to ask first. Taking a language course before or during your study abroad program will enhance your experience by teaching you common phrases you can apply outside the classroom.

Step outside the typical American stereotype while abroad.

Be careful to avoid the ugly American syndrome. Even though you may feel like a local due to the fact that you are living there for a month up to a year with a study abroad program, you are still classified as a “tourist.” Don’t be someone the locals complain about. Set an example as an American study abroad student to act appropriately. If you study abroad with FSU, always remember to uphold the university’s standard of conduct.

Cultural norms abroad are different from those in the States.

Each country has its own set of cultural norms. Familiarize yourself with how to greet others - whether it’s by one or two kisses on the cheek, a firm handshake, or a hug. It may feel uncomfortable or awkward at first but learn to adapt out of respect for that country’s customs.

 

Tipping and doing laundry are a few differences you will notice right away. Do some research regarding how much you should tip waiters in your study abroad area as well as their protocol for washing clothes. Some European machines should not be used to wash delicates.

Learn the local form of transportation. 

Taken from: lonelyplanet.com

Figuring out the local bus, train, or tube system will save you time and stress. It will especially come in handy if you need to be somewhere very early in the morning or late at night. Investing in a bike – specifically in Florence – will cut down travel time to class and make you feel more at home.

The life you left back at home hasn’t stopped just because you left.

It’s sad but true: family and friends will continue on without you. You may miss an event you wish you could be home for, such as holidays, birthdays, and celebrations. But remember that you’re experiencing a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Enjoy it!

Attend all your pre-planned program trips.

You’ve already paid for it in your program frees, so why not go? All the trips – no matter what location you are studying in – are amazing. You’ll have the chance to visit places most regular tourists haven’t heard of or choose to ignore. Your professors are basically your personal tour guides with PhDs so take advantage!

Get to know your professors, program directors and assistants while abroad.

They will be great for letters of recommendation and references down the road. Plus, they may know the best places to eat in town, what local activities to take part in, and how to make the most out of your abroad experience, so it never hurts to be on their good side.

Enhancing your Study Abroad Experience After you’ve Returned

By: Michelle Campbell

As all study abroad alumni know, the thirst for adventure and new experiences continues to thrive long after the return flight to the U.S. has ended.  No matter where you call home, there are always opportunities to participate in activities to quench that thirst and enhance your study abroad experience. Whether you enjoyed meeting new people, going to cultural events, or dinning on delicious foreign food while abroad, there is always something you can find in the States to expand your global perspective even further.

Participate in Academic Programs with an International Component

If you are an enrolled student at a college or university, there may be one or two academic  
programs your study abroad experience can apply toward. At Florida State, there are two programs that include an ‘international experience’ portion: The Garnet and Gold Scholars Society and Global Pathways. Whether you studied, interned, or volunteered abroad, you’re experience can count as one of the components for each of these programs as a Florida State student. If you are interested in similar opportunities at your school, speak to your advisor to see what is available.

Participate in Cultural Exchange Organizations

This is another option for those still in school. Due to the high amount of students that come to the U.S. to study abroad, there are some universities and colleges that have established organizations to encourage foreign and American students to interact with one another. InternatioNole at Florida State is one of them. InternatioNole encourages students to “learn from, interact with, and have fun with one another through cultural, social, educational, and services activities on and off campus.” Don’t have an organization like this at your school? Consider starting one yourself! It’s a great way to get to know students from all over the world and participate in various cultural activities.

 

Become an English Tutor or Conversation Partner

Foreigners that move to the States without knowing much English or wish to brush up on their language skills seek out programs to learn or practice English with native speakers. Many of these programs look for volunteers to be tutors and conversation partners. You don’t have to be an English language guru in order to participate. Trainings are usually held to prepare tutors or conversation partners for what they will be doing. By volunteering for one of these programs, you’re able to assist individuals with a useful skill while establishing a new relationship with someone of a different culture and background. If you are a Florida State student or Tallahassee resident interested in one of these programs, Florida State’s Center for Intensive English Studies has a great conversation partner program and the Leroy Collins Library has an English tutor program (contact the library for more information).

Get your TEFL Certification
Interested in going back abroad? Consider checking off more places on your bucket list while gaining professional work experience abroad with a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification. With a TEFL certification, you can teach English in almost any country. There are different levels of the TEFL certification available, so do your research regarding what is required or recommended for the country in which you wish to teach. During your certification process, some programs provide hands on experience with teaching individuals whose primary language is not English. Students at Florida State can enroll in a TEFL program through The Center for Intensive English Studies.

Throwback Thursday #1

Yesterday was Throwback Thursday! Here are the amazing pictures our students sent in:

If you want to participate in the next Throwback Thursday (10/11), follow us on Instagram and send us your favorite pictures from your time abroad using #NolesAbroad.

Next week's theme is "Foreign Fare". Send us pictures of your favorite meal you had, you and your friends chowing down on some gelato, sitting at your favorite cafe, and anything having to do with the delicious grub you had while abroad!

A Year of Adventure

By Claire McCleskey

As the end of my senior year began to approach, I knew two things: I wanted to go to Florida State, and I wanted to study abroad at some point in my college career. I had heard of FSU’s First Year Abroad program on my very first visit to the school but I never imagined I’d be able to spend my entire first year away from home in a foreign country. I’ll never forget the day I received one of the International Programs brochures in the mail. As soon as I started to look through it, both my parents and I knew there was no way I would be able to say no to the FYA program. A few months later, I packed my bags and headed to London.

London is a great city because it has something to offer any time, any day, for any interest. The Study Centre is located close to many theatres on the West End (London’s Broadway) and we learned early on that you can get discounted tickets to shows if you go the day of, so many students took advantage of that. I took Intro to Theatre during my first semester, which had us going to at least one play a week for class, but many of us expanded our theatrical horizons beyond the class. One of my favorite shows was The Woman in Black, which I saw four times in London, and attended a screening of the film introduced by none other than Daniel Radcliffe himself.  Because London is such a central part of the European entertainment industry, many movie premieres are held there. In fact, most of them take place in Leicester Square, which is about a five-minute walk from the Study Centre. One of the coolest events to ever happen there was the red carpet premiere for The Dark Knight Rises. My friends and I camped out to get spots along the carpet and managed to see all the stars, and even get Anne Hathaway and Tom Hardy’s autograph! But it wasn’t just movies and theatre surrounding our home in the world-renowned Bloomsbury District—a million things would be happening every day in every field imaginable. One weekend could be a relaxing one spent picnicking in St. James’ or Hyde Park, the next could be the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee where one day you watch the Queen and company float down the Thames and the next you see Paul McCartney singing Let It Be in front of her Buckingham Palace home. Another week might be London’s Fashion Week, which I took advantage of in the fall and spring, and the week after you might head to Stonehenge and Bath. 

There were countless opportunities in London, but the most unique one I had was the chance to be in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Olympics. My friend and I heard about the auditions and signed up immediately. Much to our surprise, we both received a callback. Even more to our surprise, we were both asked to be in the Ceremonies. I wasn’t able to do it because there would have been too many scheduling conflicts with the classes I was taking, but my friend did participate. While I wish I could have been in it too, it’s cool to say I had the opportunity to be in them. Watching the Olympics--which happened just days after I returned from London--made me homesick, but I was swelling with pride knowing that my friend was a part of the ceremonies. 

While in London, I actually completed all of my gen ed requirements except for one science class, and I ended up having as many credit hours as a junior by the end of my freshman year. The Broad Curriculum classes abroad are great, because they give you a really different experience than what you would get in Tallahassee. For example, if I hadn’t studied abroad, I probably would have taken a biology class with 300 kids as my lab science. Instead, I took an archeology class with 20 other students (my largest class by far) where we spent half the class at a museum or digging up the shore of the Thames. During one of the summer sessions, I decided to branch out from the typical Broad Curriculum courses usually taken by First Year Abroad students. I applied to participate in a program focused on documentary filmmaking in Britain, and the two courses I took as part of that program are the most interesting classes I’ve ever taken. Before the class started, I’d never so much as touched a real camera. By the end of the course I had made two commercial parodies and documentary about Abbey Road, filmed on location. That’s one of the greatest advantages to studying abroad—the city becomes your textbook.


When you study abroad, you form a unique bond with your classmates. No one will ever fully understand the experience you had together unless they were there. I made so many great friends studying abroad, but those of us who were together for a full year will always have an inseparable bond. It’s nice to look back at photos of us in London watching an FSU football game huddled around one tiny computer screen, and compare it to pictures of us at our first football game together in Tallahassee, or to see pictures of us on the London Eye at the start of our time in London and see that we took almost the exact same picture on our last day in the city together. Pictures like that make me really appreciate my friends from London because they show just how much we’ve been through together.

While I loved every minute I spent in London, it was also great to get out of the city and see the rest of the world! The Study Centre organized a number of day trips and weekend trips to places like the Highlands in Scotland, Liverpool, Bath, Stonehenge, and Wales. We also took advantage of how easy (and relatively cheap!) it is to fly from London to other parts of Europe. During my time there, I traveled to Venice (twice), Barcelona, Nice, Marseilles, Cannes, Paris, Amsterdam, Bruges, and more. And I got to do it with my closest friends. If there’s anything better than travelling the world, it’s travelling the world with your best friends.

Can You Dig it? Archaeology in Tuscany

By Aaron Brown

The allure of Italy is well-known. Every year droves of tourists flock to her major cities – Rome, Florence, Venice – seeking to experience for themselves the country’s fabulous art, food, and fashion, to savor a few days of la dolce vita before moving on to their next destination. People travel to Italy to relax and enjoy themselves. They go for pleasure and are always surprised to hear my reason for going each summer: to perform strenuous manual labor under the Tuscan sun (don’t be misled by the book) and not get paid for doing any of it. Folks who don’t understand my motives sometimes think I’m crazy, but I go for the experience – the opportunity to dig in Italy. As a student of classical archaeology, what I’ve gained from excavating at FSU’s field school at Cetamura del Chianti has far exceeded any minor discomforts felt along the way. My time at Cetamura has been extremely rewarding, offering me a foundation in my field and opportunities to pursue my own research queries. 

After I tell someone that I dig in Italy and the person asks me if I do the same sort of thing as Indiana Jones (answer: not at all!), the next question is always, “Have you found anything interesting?” My first summer I found very little by way of artifacts aside from a pair of ca. 1980 sunglasses dropped by a lost German hiker. We did, however, observe a peculiar change in soil composition within my trench that year. Along one side of the unit, a curved cut had been made in the surrounding bedrock and filled in with a dense clay pack in antiquity. Given the semi-circular nature of the cut and the presence of the water-retaining clay, we hypothesized that a water containment structure might lie in the adjacent unit. I returned the following summer to investigate the neighboring area. What we found was a large, roughly circular stone-lined cistern or well! The cavity at the center of the structure had evidently been filled in with stones and discarded roof tile at some point (likely when it failed to adequately collect and/or store water), and this is where we focused our attentions that second summer. In order to get to the bottom of some of our most pressing questions – what was its precise function, when was it in use, who had access to its contents, etc. – we had to get to the bottom of the cavity!

The hypothesized cistern under excavation in 2011

The western portion of the structure, revealed in 2012

While we didn’t reach the bottom of the structure in 2011, we did learn a great deal about its form and method of construction. In the process of doing so, we also succeeded in expanding the map of Cetamura. Yet there were still so many unanswered questions. I had to return in 2012. My third summer I set to work uncovering an unexcavated corner of the structure. My goals were to complete a detailed map of the structure (that took into account the unexcavated portion), determine the extent of the clay pack observed in 2010, and see if we couldn’t come up with a better interpretation for its use at the site. In general we met these objectives. We completed the map of the structure and proved that the clay pack continued around all sides of the structure. There is now little doubt that the structure was designed for the provisioning of water. To clarify its relationship to the nearby sanctuary and site as a whole, more work will have to be done around and, especially, within the structure. For the time being, questions of access and usage will have to remain unclear. We also remain uncertain about the date of construction and time of infilling. The cavity at the center of the structure is likely to contain our best evidence for how it was used and when it was in operation. The work of future seasons will concentrate on the center of the structure.