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Welcome to your program
Participate in daily clinical rounds at a bustling hospital, where you'll have the chance to observe your vet working with a variety of exotic patients, such as kinkajous, sloths, birds, anteaters, and big cats. Panama’s famous San Blas Islands, home to turquoise waters and beautiful white sand beaches, and the perfect place for a rest. On the weekend you'll have a wonderful day exploring, snorkeling, and relaxing on the beach.
This page will take you through everything you need to know about your program. You should READ every section. We've linked additional information under each topic as needed.
Housing
You will be staying at Panama House Bed and Breakfast. Students are roomed by gender and share bathrooms. Wifi is available. Staff is on site 24/7.
Food
All your meals in Panama during the program are included in your tuition (excepting any meals before dinner on Arrival Day and after breakfast on Departure Day). You may have opportunities to purchase snacks, coffee drinks, smoothies, and other drinks and desserts throughout the program - these are not included in your program tuition.
Flights
Your flight should arrive at and depart from Tocumen International Airport (airport code PTY) in Panama City, Panama. PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHEN BOOKING ANY AIR TRAVEL THAT YOU BOOK TO PANAMA CITY, PANAMA (airport code PTY) and NOT to Panama City, Florida.
At the start of your program, our group shuttle from the airport on arrival Sunday will leave the airport at 4pm. Therefore, you should plan to arrive on a flight that arrives at PTY by 3pm on Sunday. We will have a second shuttle at 9pm on arrival day. We encourage you, if possible, to arrive in time for the first shuttle (arriving before 3pm) so that you can take part in a welcome dinner and an orientation to the hospital. However, if you're unable to arrive in time for the first shuttle, you can arrive by 8pm in time for the 9pm shuttle. You will be able to participate in everything fully and won't miss any curriculum material.
At the end of your program, our group shuttle to the airport on departure Saturday will arrive at the airport at 8am and 12pm. Therefore, you should plan to depart on a flight that departs PTY after 10am on Saturday. Students departing between 10am and 2pm will take the 8am shuttle to the airport. Students departing after 2pm will take the 12pm shuttle to the airport. The final meal included in your program is breakfast on departure day, but if food is not available in the airport we will provide an opportunity for you to stop and purchase lunch for yourself on the way to the airport.
Packing
The only items you are required to bring are those on the “required” lists. General required items (like your passport) are found on the ALL PROGRAMS packing list above. Program specific required items are found below under the REQUIRED section. For the rest of the items, you are welcome to use your discretion. There may be items missing from this list that you’d like to bring, and there may be items on this list that you don’t want to bring. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!
Required for this program
If you have a student ID card, please bring it! It helps us to get student access times at some of the places we'll visit. Thank you!
1 bottle of mosquito repellant
1 bottle of reef-safe sunscreen
4-5 pairs of scrub tops and scrub pants
Closed-toe shoes
Suggested for this program
Sweatshirt or scarf/blanket (you may want a light blanket at night as you will only be provided a light sheet)
Pants (we suggest light-weight pants that can get dirty, such as hiking pants)
Shorts (for free time but please note we suggest pants due to bugs)
Bathing suit (any style is fine)
Tee shirts that can get dirty, for work days
Tank tops or other tops for outside the project
Long sleeve rash guard or other sun-protecting shirt for snorkeling day (shirt that can be worn in the water for sun protection. NOT a tee shirt.)
Any “city” clothes you want for other activities (you never have to dress up for any activities, but may want some for walking around for recreational time in the city)
Ear plugs (can be dogs barking near the accommodation at night)
FAQ
If you want to bring a donation item (not required), the APPC is in need of nitrile exam gloves. If you'd like to bring a box to donate, they are welcome!
WIFI: Students will have WiFi at the housing location but the WiFi at all locations is not reliable. If you are interested in a travel phone plan, please talk to your phone provider before your program starts.
Bedding: We will provide you with sheets, pillow and blankets.
Towels: We recommend bringing your own towel and washcloth
Laundry: We will wash your clothes once towards the end of your first week. You are able to wash clothes again if needed.
Outlets: You will not need an adapter- outlets will be the same as in the US.
Dress Code: You will need to wear scrubs while in the clinic for Panama. Please check the weather and pack accordingly. The weather is typically hot and humid. Plan to get dirty on this program! Please do not wear and bring expensive jewelry, sunglasses, or any priceless or irreplaceable items. It is not worth the risk of losing them in the ocean. In some locations you will not be permitted to wear jewelry, including rings, so we encourage you to leave any expensive or fancy jewelry at home. Please do not have acrylic nails, gel nails, or long nails, as these can affect medical procedures and animal safety. Nails should generally be kept short.
Money: Most students spend around $200 USD on a two-week program. You’ll likely want to buy things like souvenirs, laundry, snacks or drinks. So you don’t NEED any money, but you’ll want to bring enough that you can buy some things to bring home. Panama’s official currency is the US Dollar, so you do not need to exchange money before your trip. You may want to bring the cash you have budgeted to spend with you to avoid ATM fees, and you may find smaller bills helpful (eg $20s and not $100s).
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