10DAYS
Alongside our partner, Give and Surf, you will learn about marine biology, sustainable community development, marine conservation, and education while in Bocas del Toro, Panama.
This program will take you to the archipelago of Bocas del Toro, where you will experience how local organizations are working to protect fragile marine ecosystems and create educational opportunities for over 1,000 youth in remote island communities. Your days will be spent learning marine biology alongside local nonprofit partners, volunteering at Give and Surf’s after-school centers, and exploring the unique coral reef ecosystems of the Caribbean coast. Through each of these activities, you will discover how Give and Surf is working to empower island communities through education while protecting the marine environment that sustains them.
While based in Bocas del Toro, you will have the opportunity to learn directly from local conservationists about sea turtle protection, coral reef restoration, and biodiversity preservation. You will also volunteer at Give and Surf’s after-school programs, working alongside local teachers to engage children ages 5 to 12 in play-based learning activities including arts and crafts, sports, English classes, music, and STEM. Through snorkeling expeditions to a coral regeneration site and conversations with guest speakers working on reef-building initiatives, you will deepen your understanding of how marine ecosystems function and why they matter.
Outside of daily program work, you will explore the rich biodiversity of Bocas del Toro through a full-day boat tour to the Zapatilla Islands, snorkeling at Coral Key, touring an organic cacao farm on San Cristóbal, and hiking to Wizards Beach. You will practice speaking Spanish with local residents and community leaders while staying at locally-owned hostels, experiencing firsthand how tourism shapes — and can either harm or help — the health of coral reefs and island communities.
This program is designed to help you understand the connections between marine conservation, coral reef health, and community education. You will leave Panama with hands-on teaching experience and a new perspective on how locally-embedded organizations can create sustainable change by respecting local culture and empowering the communities they serve.
Snorkel at a coral regeneration site and learn about coral reef restoration efforts.
Practice speaking Spanish while meeting with residents and nonprofit leaders.
Support after-school centers by leading play-based activities, including arts, sports, and English classes.
1 is the least rigorous, 5 is the most rigorous
The most important thing I learned was that being from a different country or speaking a different language does not mean two people can’t connect and work together towards a common goal.
During the travel phase of each SStS course, you will spend time reflecting and processing your experience. The posts below are from past programs.
Tuition (students from partner schools): $4390
Tuition (students from non-partner schools): $4590
*Students attending a partner school receive a tuition discount. Click HERE to see partner schools. Please note that tuition does not include airfare.
Estimated Flight Cost: $1000
*All students travel to their program destination on a group flight booked by Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder. Participants are responsible for any increase in airfares imposed by the airlines. All participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation to the departure city. SStS will confirm airfare and connecting travel information approximately 60 days before travel.
SStS is in search of curious, compassionate, globally-minded students from all backgrounds. We will do everything possible to provide financial support to students who require assistance. If you would like to be considered for financial assistance, please indicate this on the application. Resources are limited and tend to be less than 50% of tuition.
For a full description of our Terms and Conditions, please CLICK HERE.
