Submitted by Matthew Durkin on the 2016 winter session program in Panama sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures…
My third week studying in Panama has been awesome. We spent three days again volunteering after class at a local orphanage and spending time with underprivileged children. We also went out and bought school supplies to donate to them so that they will have everything that they need to get a quality education. It has been so much fun and eye opening to see these children and to help them out any way that we can.
Later in the week, me and some of my classmates spent the day at the Island of Taboga, which is right off the coast of Panama City. We took an hour-long ferry ride to get there, which was fun by itself. We then spent the day laying on the beach and swimming in the ocean. I also took some time to try to meet some of the locals and ask them about the local culture. It was by far, one of the most beautiful beaches that I have ever seen and I am hopeful that I will be able to return there again one day. I only have one week left now in Panama and I am hoping that I will be able to make the best of it.
