What Happened
Students from East Tennessee State University traveled to Panama as part of a Global Brigades trip that combined service, cultural exchange, and learning. The group participated in activities designed to connect students with Panamanian communities while giving them firsthand exposure to daily life in the country.
The trip followed months of preparation and reflected a broader effort to combine international service with education. Students took part in cultural exchange activities and learned about Panamanian history and everyday living during their time abroad.
Why It Matters
Programs like Global Brigades give students an opportunity to apply classroom learning in a real-world setting while building cross-cultural understanding. For participants, traveling to Panama offered a chance to engage directly with people and communities in a Central American country known for its strategic location, vibrant culture, and the Panama Canal.
Such experiences often leave students with a stronger awareness of global public health, community development, and the importance of partnership across borders. They also help connect universities in the United States with international service efforts that emphasize both learning and community engagement.
Background
Panama continues to attract educational, cultural, and service-oriented travel because of its mix of urban centers, rural communities, and deep historical ties to trade and migration. The country’s role as a regional crossroads makes it a frequent destination for students seeking to understand development and cultural diversity in Latin America.
For ETSU students, the trip represented an international experience that blended outreach with education. The Panama visit gave participants a chance to contribute to a service initiative while gaining perspective on another country’s customs, history, and way of life.