OUR EXPERIENCE TEACHING IN PANAMA
Our institute has been receiving the highest reviews for a study abroad and internship program from our alumni, their families, and universities for since 2010. We have hosted 33 semesters of 10-weeks, taught over 1,000 students, and produced almost as many research papers on how to develop a socially and environmentally responsible village in the tropics. Our instructors and faculty are passionate about their subjects and their students getting the most they can from their time here.
WHY HAVE AN INSTITUTE FOR A TOWN?
People: As our village’s first civic institution, research is guided by student and faculty passions and ethics. Your work creates not only knowledge, but also the foundation of our culture and lifestyle.
Planet: By building everything from the ground up, we are able to make sure every system in our town from our electricity to our restaurants, landscaping, and even our buildings all make people more sustainable just by visiting or living here.
Profit: Some research requires the development of local products and services and many students have launched businesses they still own while attending the institute. Your work helps tilt the tables in favor of local business and creates local jobs.
Fun! Our valley is Panama City’s gateway to outdoor adventure. From pros to beginners wanting to take classes, our location is perfect for hiking, mountain biking, riding horses, and overnight expeditions into the jungle. Plus, we have four rivers nearby that can be rafted 8 months out the year .
ALL TUITION GOES DIRECTLY BACK INTO THE INSTITUTE AND ITS AMAZING STAFF, OUR STUDENTS’ FACILITIES AND RESEARCH, AND EVERYTHING WE CAN DO MAKE KALU YALA A MORE AMAZING PLACE AND EXPERIENCE. WE WORK HARD TO MAXIMIZE EVERY DOLLAR AND THE EXTREMELY HIGH SATISFACTION RATINGS FROM STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS SHOWS THAT.
WE OUR PROUD TO SAY OUR FOOD RECEIVES GREAT REVIEWS! EVERY GUEST IS REQUIRED TO BUY THE $15/DAY MEAL PLAN THAT INCLUDES 3 DELICIOUS SIMPLE MEALS, BUT EVERY MEAL HAS UPGRADES AND OPTIONS TO MAKE SURE YOU CAN EAT THE WAY YOU WANT. DIET RESTRICTIONS ARE ALSO NOT A PROBLEM.
SEMESTER DATES ARE ALREADY SET, BUT THERE IS SOME FLEXIBILITY TO ACCOMMODATE ARRIVING A LITTLE LATE, HAVING TO TAKE OFF A FEW DAYS DURING THE SEMESTER, OR LEAVING A LITTLE EARLY. HOWEVER, WE INVITE YOU TO DO WORK BEFORE AND AFTER THE PROGRAM THROUGH WORKING WITH YOUR PROGRAM DIRECTOR ONLINE TO DO PRE-ARRIVAL RESEARCH AND POST-PROGRAM PROJECT DOCUMENTATION. IF YOUR SCHOOL REQUIRES MORE TIME- WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN- NO WORRIES. THERE IS PLENTY OF WORK TO BE DONE!
ABOUT HALF THE STUDENTS WHO COME DO GET THEIR SEMESTER AT KALU YALA APPROVED FOR CREDIT. IT LARGELY DEPENDS ON YOUR SCHOOL AND YOUR PROGRAM. WE HAVE HAD PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE ANYWHERE FROM 0 TO 16 CREDIT HOURS, WHICH HAVE INCLUDED INTERNSHIP CREDIT, INDEPENDENT STUDY CREDIT, STUDY ABROAD CREDIT AND ACTUAL COURSE CREDIT. THIS TAKES A LITTLE LEGWORK FROM YOU. START BY TALKING WITH YOUR ADVISER AND/OR STUDY ABROAD OFFICE, AND WE’RE HAPPY TO PROVIDE A PROGRAM SYLLABUS TO PRESENT OR ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. AND A TIP FROM OUR ALUMNI- IF YOU CAN FIND A TEACHER WHO’S WILLING TO SPEAK ON YOUR BEHALF FOR THE PROGRAM WHEN YOU TALK TO YOUR ADVISER OR STUDY ABROAD OFFICE THAT CAN BE A HUGE HELP!
YES, A CORE OF THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE IS THE SELF-DIRECTED PROJECT AND YOU ARE WELCOME TO USE OUR RESEARCH CENTER FOR A WORK YOU ALREADY HAVE IN MIND. ALMOST ALL PARTICIPANTS USE THEIR SELF-DIRECTED PROJECTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO FACULTY-LED PROJECTS AND PAPERS TO IMPROVE THEIR PORTFOLIO OR AS PART OF THEIR THESIS FOR A POST-GRADUATE INSTITUTE.
AT THIS TIME, WE ONLY OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS TO THE COMMUNITIES IN LATIN AMERICA, WHO RECEIVE 20% OFF THE FULL TUITION. IN ADDITION, PANAMANIANS RECEIVE A 50% SCHOLARSHIP, AND LOCALS IN THE SAN MIGUEL AND SAN MARTIN COMMUNITIES CAN ATTEND FREE OF CHARGE. WE HAVE HAD MANY STUDENTS RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIP, GRANT AND FELLOWSHIP MONEY, THOUGH. THEIR ADVICE HAS BEEN TO KNOCK ON AS MANY DOORS AS POSSIBLE: FROM YOUR ADVISER TO THE SCHOLARSHIP OFFICE TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS YOU PARTICIPATE WITH. OVER 20% OF OUR STUDENTS USE TUITION ASSISTANCE THROUGH THEIR UNIVERSITIES.
ALL RESEARCH REPORTS ARE REVIEWED IN ORDER TO SEE HOW THEY COULD POTENTIALLY HELP THE TOWN OF KALU YALA BETTER UNDERSTAND COMPLEX OR NUANCED SUBJECTS. FURTHERMORE, ALL STUDIES ARE CATALOGED TO FORM A FOUNDATION OF KNOWLEDGE AVAILABLE TO ALL.
TOCUMEN AIRPORT (PTY).
IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO MANAGE BOTH A JOB AND THE PROGRAM, SO WE REQUEST THAT PARTICIPANTS COME DOWN SOLELY TO FOCUS ON THE PROGRAM. ALSO, LABOR LAWS ARE VERY STRICT IN PANAMA SO FINDING A JOB HERE WHILE STILL IN COLLEGE WOULD BE CHALLENGING. SOME REMOTE WORK COULD BE A POSSIBILITY AS LONG AS IT IS OUTSIDE OF INSTITUTE HOURS FROM 9AM to 4PM EST M-F.
OF COURSE! PLEASE EMAIL [email protected] TO SET UP A TIME TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE. WE TALK TO APPLICANTS, PARENTS, ADVISERS AND PROFESSORS ON A REGULAR BASIS. IF YOU APPLY AND ARE SELECTED FOR INTERVIEW, THOUGH, YOU’LL BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO ONE OF OUR ALUMNI INTERVIEWERS WHO SHOULD BE ABLE TO ANSWER MOST QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.
NO, ABOUT 50% OF PARTICIPANTS ARE UNDERGRADUATES AND 40% ALREADY HOLD AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE, AND 10% ARE MATURE, ADVENTUROUS 18 YEAR OLDS TAKING A GAP YEAR. WE REGULARLY SERVE AS A POINT OF REFLECTION FOR PEOPLE CONSIDERING A CAREER CHANGE. WHAT EVERYONE HAS IN COMMON IS THE DESIRE TO CONTRIBUTE TO CREATING ONE OF THE MOST INSPIRING PLACES ON EARTH.
