Panama City, Panama

Last week I ventured down to Panama City, Panama with my Marketing in Latin America class sponsored by Bowling Green State University. Going into the trip I wasn't quite sure what to expect because my major wasn't business like a majority of the other students going on the trip. I was worried I'd fall behind or not understand the topics as well as others, but that most certainly wasn't the case at all. While down in Panama City, I learned so much and the experiences at each of the businesses really opened my eyes as to what business interactions all over the world looked like. Another fear I had for the trip was if we were all going to get along or not since there were only eleven students and one adult going on this excursion. In my prior study abroad experience I had been on a trip with around thirty people so lots of groups were formed throughout the week and we could be separated if needed depending on interests. I also didn't really know many people very well going on the trip so that was also in the back of my mind.

However, the trip was absolutely incredible! The presentations were easy to understand and the friendships made throughout the week are ones I will cherish forever! In terms of the business side, we learned a lot from the Manzanillo International Terminal where they taught us about how the cranes worked with the Panama Canal to transport goods through it. We also went to the Colon Free Trade Zone where we learned why it's a benefit to invest in the Free Trade Zone, the methods used, the advantages for the importer, and exporter, and the competitive logistics. Another location we went to was the Logistics Services where we learned more about the Panama economy, the Free Trade Zone, and how the Logistics Services benefits Panama and other Latin American countries as a whole. In addition to some other locations like the US Embassy and Biomuseo, we visited the Aden Business School where we sat in on a marketing class alongside other students studying there. In the afternoon on that day, we had a tour of Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein learning how they operate, utilize their digital showrooms, and marketing strategies.

We experienced several forms of transportation throughout our trip like airplanes, a bus, the Panama Canal Railway, a yacht, and a small boat on our way to Isla Grande - an island we visited on the last day we were there. It was really cool to see how each one was used in life down in Panama. The railway was built in 1855 along the Panama Canal before it was the Panama Canal to transport goods transcontinentally. We road in a yacht down the Panama Canal on Thanksgiving, which was an absolutely incredible experience to see the locks up close and how it all works. Our class got to go through two sets of locks before we got off the boat, enjoyed Panamanian Thanksgiving food, and experienced the Panama rainy weather in the later part of the excursion. The students on the trip also got to hike through a rainforest up to this incredible lookout point where we saw the city skyline and the forest from the top of the mountain. It was absolutely breathtaking, and even though it rained we still had fun getting the full "rain" forest experience. On Friday, we got to see some ruins in Portobello before heading out on a small boat out to Isla Grande island to swim in the ocean, relax, and enjoy some amazing food. I had a whole fish for my lunch and a few students actually ate their eyeballs! For dinner that night we went to El Trapiche where we got to see Panamanian dancers before our meal, which was incredible!

Even though the experiences were amazing, one of my favorite parts of the trip was the connections I made with other students. The whole group really got to know each other throughout the week and for the most part we all agreed on what we wanted to do. From ubering to Casco Viejo a few times to swimming in the roof top pool the second night, we all had a blast! If I hadn't gone on this trip I never would have made the connections I did with these incredible people. We laughed, got up early, ate, and explored together making memories that will last a lifetime. I'm so thankful for getting to spend all this time with my fellow peers during this trip, and I can't wait to see what the rest of our college careers hold for us.

I really enjoyed this Marketing in Latin America class put on by the Bowling Green State University College of Business, and if you have a chance to study abroad in the future I highly recommend it because it really opens up your eyes to what different cultures are like around the world. Studying abroad really allowed me to step out of my comfort zone to see what life is like outside of my typical day to day activities. The interactions I had with both my peers and the people I met down in Panama were really impactful for me because I learned new perspectives and how business is impacted by the Panama Canal.

Some advice I have for BGSU students thinking about studying abroad is do really take advantage of the scholarships and grants they offer through the various departments on campus, as well as through the Study Abroad Office. The grant I got really helped my ability to go on this trip, and the Honors Study Abroad scholarship took care of my tuition. I highly recommend searching for all the possible options to get a scholarship or grant to study abroad because they're all over the place! If you want to study abroad - do it! It's a life changing experience and I wouldn't change it for the world! Expanding your horizons is a huge part of college, and studying abroad is just one thing you can do to help you do that.

If you want to see more from my trip, then visit my Instagram: stephkaycevents