Navigating New Horizons: Students Adventure to Panama

How The Global Passport Program Was Born 🌎✈️☀️

Deputy Chief of Staff Johanna Williams and Global Passport students learn about Panamanian cuisine.

As part of our community-led efforts, our older youth shared their desire to expand their horizons and experience more of the world. In response, we launched the Global Passport Program to empower them through travel and new experiences. This program taps into their curiosity and potential, offering opportunities to explore different cultures, build on their strengths, and return with a greater sense of connection. Global Passports is about helping our older youth discover more about the world and their unique role in it.

Why Panama?

During every Global Passport orientation, we ask students, “Where to next?” Thanks to prior programming in which students learned about Panama, they were excited to gain firsthand experience and selected Panama as their first international destination. Panama is a truly remarkable country with so much to offer. From the incredible Panama Canal, a feat of engineering, to its stunning natural beauty that includes rainforests, beaches, and coral reefs, the country provides endless outdoor adventures, beautiful scenery, and a fascinating blend of history to discover.

Youth Development Coordinator Rachel Angle shared, “Watching our young travelers step into a world so different from their own was transformative. It was incredible to see them navigate a new language, culture, and environment with growing confidence.”

Adventures in Panama: Day by Day

During their week of travel, students had the opportunity to explore Panama’s rainforests, experience South American cuisines, connect with the Indigenous Gamboa community, and more!

Here’s a glimpse into the students’ week of exploration and discovery in Panama:

• Day 1: The adventure began with a journey to the vibrant heart of Panama City, where students were greeted with a cityscape that effortlessly blends history and modernity.

• Day 2: A sensory journey started with a hands-on chocolate-making session at Nome, where students crafted rich chocolate from local cacao. They then explored the historic streets of Casco Viejo, a UNESCO World Heritage site. They ended the day with a delicious Panamanian dinner. 

• Day 3: Students spoke with an amazing panel of Foreign Service officers and visited the US Embassy, gaining insights into international relations. They then visited the Panama Canal, observing this impressive feat of engineering, and ended the day with a relaxed dinner and scenic city views.
• Day 4: The day began with a bike ride along the Isla Perico Causeway, offering scenic views of the Pacific Ocean. Students then explored the Punta Culebra Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, discovering Panama’s diverse wildlife. They finished the day with a local treat, “raspao” (shaved ice), to cool off from the day’s activities.
• Day 5: Students spent the day at Portobelo Beach, enjoying the clear waters, relaxing on the sand, and learning about the area’s historical significance.
  

  CEO Tiffany Williams and Global Passport students volunteer at Chepo Elementary School.

• Day 6: The focus shifted to community engagement as students volunteered at Chepo Elementary School, working with local children and contributing positively to the community.
• Day 7: The final full day included visiting the Gamboa Tropical Jungle, where students learned about Indigenous traditions and customs and gained a deeper understanding of the local culture and environment.
• Day 8: With hearts full of memories and new perspectives, students flew back to Washington carrying the stories and experiences that would last a lifetime.

Partnership Spotlight:

Our trip wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible partnership with Yamilka Collado, a Panamanian native and social entrepreneur. Yamilka’s commitment to improving the lives of children in underserved communities was instrumental in ensuring a safe and enriching experience for our students. “It was a beautiful partnership,” Rachel noted, “everything went smoothly thanks to Yamilka and the connections she had on the ground.”

“Traveling with Global Passport helped me overcome my fear of going to different places” -Madison D. , Global Passport student

Just the Beginning

Panama marks the first international trip for our Global Passport students. We look forward to embarking on new adventures with the youth in our community. To learn more about how you can partner, participate, and or contribute to the program. Visit the links below.

Learn More

Are you interested in partnering with the Global Passport program? Contact Youth Development Coordinator Rachel Angle rangle@marthastable.org