School for Field Studies Panama
Covered in lush rainforests, hundreds of mangrove islands, and coral reefs teeming with diverse marine life, the Bocas del Toro Archipelago serves as a living laboratory for studying tropical biodiversity. Unfortunately, increased tourism on the islands has led to ecosystem and natural resource degradation while also compromising Indigenous islanders’ traditional livelihoods.
Program Details
Location
Bocas del Toro,
Panama
Term
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
Summer Session
Housing
Dormitory
Languages Taught In
English
Spanish
Sponsor
School for Field Studies
Program Eligibility
Student Type
UofM Students
Student Year
Freshmen
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
GPA
2.8 for semester, 2.6 for summer
Language Prerequisite
No Language Prerequisite
Program Model
Program Structure
This is an affiliate program. You receive resident credit for the courses you take. Your grades factor into your University of Minnesota GPA and each course appears on your transcript with an A/F grade. Consult the Learning Abroad Center's Academic Policies for more information.
The School for Field Studies creates transformative study abroad experiences through field-based learning and research. Their educational programs explore the human and ecological dimensions of the complex environmental problems faced by local partners, contributing to sustainable solutions in the places where students live and work.
Affiliate organizations and partner universities will not accept applications from UMTC students without the endorsement of the Learning Abroad Center. Students must participate in affiliate organization and partner university programs through the standard Learning Abroad Center application process.
Visit the School for Field Studies' website for specific program features and eligibility requirements.
Coursework
Course descriptions and full syllabi are available on the program page of SFS' website.
Semester Coursework
Tropical Island Biodiversity Studies: Examine the natural and human systems of the island, as well as the relationships between these systems and the pressure points that threathen the delicate balance of these systems. Course topics include costal ecology, environmental policy and socioeconomic values, and Panamanian culture.
You will enroll in five courses for a total of 18 credits:
- SFS 2070: Language, Culture, and Society of Panama (2 credits)
- SFS 3020: Environmental Policy and Socioeconomic Values (4 credits)
- SFS 3740: Principles of Resource Management (4 credits)
- SFS 3790: Tropical Coastal Ecology (4 credits)
- SFS 4910: Directed Research (4 credits)
Summer Coursework
Tropical Island Ecosystems: The Human Impact: Snorkel and hike through diverse environments – from coral reefs and mangroves to cloud forests and rainforests – and study the impacts of tourism on the island system and its people. Learn about current approaches to sustainable tourism in Bocas and what can be done to protect the region’s dynamic tropical ecosystems. (SFS 3000: Tourism and Island Systems: Assessment of Sustainable Practices, 4 credits)
Dates Details
Visit your affiliate's website for program dates and application deadlines.
SFS grants admission to programs on a rolling basis as long as space is available, so there is no application deadline. You are welcome to apply for programs up to one year in advance of the program start date. Early submissions are strongly encouraged as some programs fill to capacity.
Orientation Dates & Locations
Orientation will be conducted in 2 parts: an online orientation, which is mandatory for all students, and an in-person session. You will receive more information about the online orientation via email. Failure to complete the online orientation will impact your ability to go abroad.
The date for the in-person spring semester 2023 orientation is as follows:
| Term Abroad | Date/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2023 | TBD | TBD |
Fees
University of Minnesota participants pay the program fee instead of on-campus tuition and fees for the term they are abroad.
How to Calculate the Total Program Fee
To calculate your total program fee
Find your Affiliate program fee
For more specific information about fees, visit the School for Field Studies website.
UofM students on SFS programs receive an automatic fee reduction of $3,000 for semester, $600 for summer sessions 6 or more weeks in length and/or sequential summer programs, and $300 for summer sessions 4 weeks in length. UofM students can also take advantage of SFS's financial aid, in the form of scholarships, grants, and zero- or low-interest loans.
Add APAAC
Refer to the Affiliate Program Fees. Follow instructions on that page to determine your APAAC.
Add International Health Insurance
Multiply the number of months you will be away by $45.
Subtract Affiliate Fee Reduction
Visit the Affiliate Program Fees to determine the fee reduction you receive for being a University of Minnesota student.
What Is the APAAC?
Students participating on affiliated programs are charged a program fee that is inclusive of the affiliate's program fee, University of Minnesota Advising, Placement, Academic, and Administrative Costs (APAAC) and international health insurance.The APAAC covers:
- Application processing
- Advising services, orientation
- Course registration
- Grade transfer and posting for resident credit
- Program billing and assistance with financial aid (when applicable)
Based on these additional services and benefits, the total program fee may be higher than the affiliate's published program fee.
Billing & Payments
Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.
Each of our affiliated programs awards its own array of scholarships. While many are need-based, others are based on merit, location, academic area, or diversity criteria. Explore your options within specific affiliates' scholarship pages.
Cancellation Policy
Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling
Prepare
Complete pre-application advising.
Apply
Submit to Learning Abroad Center:
- School for Field Studies (SFS) Participation Approval
Submit to School for Field Studies:
- School for Field Studies Online Application
Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.
The COVID-19 vaccine and booster are required by the host country and/or on-site partners and facilities for most study abroad programs. Complete your COVID-19 vaccine doses immediately.
You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.
Complete
After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:
Submit to Learning Abroad Center:
- School for Field Studies (SFS) Participation Approval
Submit to School for Field Studies:
- School for Field Studies Online Application
Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.
Next Steps
- Upon submitting the online application, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application was received.
- Follow the instructions on your application checklist to submit all of the items. Your application is not considered complete until all items on your application checklist are either received or waived.
- Complete the affiliate program's application requirements as applicable.
- Your completed application is reviewed by our program team. If nominated for participation, the Learning Abroad Center contacts the affiliate's staff to notify them of your status.
- You will be notified of an acceptance decision by email. If accepted, you will be assigned a confirmation checklist. Log in to the online application to review the confirmation checklist and submit the required items.
- Do not pay the affiliate’s confirmation deposit. The affiliate accepts the Learning Abroad Center’s deposit as indication of confirmation. The Learning Abroad Center deposit is submitted by completing the Confirmation and Payment Agreement found on the confirmation checklist assigned to you.
- If you decide not to continue with the application process, log in to the online application and submit a Cancel Request. You must also notify your affiliate of your cancellation.
Program Contact
For further information or questions about this program, send an email to
Clara Arent
or call at
612.301.1571