Spend spring break in Bocas Del Toro, Panama with the Tropical Plants and People program sponsored by the Environmental and Plant Biology department at Ohio University- Zanesville.

This program is designed to introduce students to the biological diversity and ecology of terrestrial and marine tropical systems, particularly those in coastal and near-coastal Central America. Participants will also examine key environmental issues affecting conservation, sustainability and continued human uses of natural tropical resources.

Bocas Del Toro is a region with extraordinary biological diversity, largely intact rainforest cover over the region and a wealth of nearby terrestrial and aquatic environments. The marine environments rank as some of the most diverse in the world and are outstanding for snorkeling.

Program length
Spring Break 2014


Eligibility and selection process
This program is open to students from any Ohio Univesrity campus. Student must be in good academic and judicial standing.

Students who have a judicial record and will be on probation for a judicial offense at any point during the program may petition to study abroad. Click here to read the entire judicial policy.

This program does not accept Non-Ohio University students.

Application deadline

Living arrangements
Students will stay in shared hotel rooms in both Panama City and Bocas Del Toro. Meals are not included in the program price.

Courses and credits
PBIO 2900: Special Topics in Plant Biology: Tropical Plants and People (3 cr)

Highlights or excursions
Students will visit the Institute for Tropical Ecology and Conservation field station in Panama. Students will tour Panama City and observe local craftspersons and artisans utilizing forest resources and other materials.

Cost
TBD- Please check back later for more cost details.

Additional Information on Panama
To learn more about this study abroad destination, please visit the CIA World Factbook. 

Health and safety
Ohio University Office of Education Abroad suggests you follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control for healthy travel to your destination: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/panama.htm. Please familiarize yourself with these recommendations and requirements prior to applying to a program.
Refer to the State Department site for information related to safety and security at this destination: http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_994.html.

Requesting accommodation for disabilities
If you plan to participate in an Ohio University-sponsored study abroad program and wish to request accommodation, you should contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) to schedule an appointment to complete an Education Abroad Disability Accommodation Request Form. We recommend you do this as early as possible to allow sufficient time to determine what accommodations may be made for this program.

Entry and exit requirements
U.S. citizens are required to have a valid U.S. passport when traveling outside of the United States.  If you plan to study or travel abroad in the next year, apply for your passport now: http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.

It is each student’s individual responsibility to determine the entry and exit requirements specific to their personal situation.  Some countries also require a visa to legally enter and reside in the country. The following information will hold true for most US passport holders. Entry and exit requirements for this country can be found at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_994.html US citizens will not need a visa or other special documents to enter the country for the length of this program. You may need to show sufficient funds to support yourself while in-country.  Please also note that visa requirements may vary if you plan to stay in the country longer than the program dates, if you have recently visited the country, or if you plan to travel to other countries during or after the program.  Please familiarize yourself with these recommendations and requirements prior to applying to a program in order to determine your appropriate course of action.

For more specific visa related information please visit OEA’s Visa Information Page.
Information for NON-US citizens can be found here. 

For more information, contact:
Mohannad Al-Saghir
Faculty Director
588-1531
al-saghi@ohio.edu

Art Trese
Assistant Director
593-0260
trese@ohio.edu

Keely Davin
Program Coordinator
E-mail: davin@ohio.edu
Phone: 740-593-4583