This program will run from March 11-20, 2027. 

We typically leave on the Thursday right before Spring Break, and return on the final day of the break. Students will need to check with their professors that they are able to miss the classes immediately before Spring Break, but this has not posed any difficulty in the past. We would be happy to work with you on this. 

Below is a proposed itinerary. Please note that this itinerary is subject to change and a final program itinerary will be provided to participants before our departure at the pre-trip meetings. 

 Day 1: Panama

• Your dedicated Kagumu tour guide will meet you at the airport,

• Check in to your accommodation and relax before exploring the city

• Evening meal & introduction to the program. Enjoy mouth-watering Panama cuisine. Afterwards, the guides will introduce the program and the aims of the next 10 days.

• Overnight at a hotel in Panama City

Day 2: Panama City: History, Innovation & the Panama Canal

• Begin the day with a guided walk to Ancon Hill, where students will enjoy panoramic views of Panama City. Here get the first look at the area's biodiversity and an overview of the city. 

• Continue to the Panama Canal Administration Building and the Panama Canal Library for a conversation with historians. Students will explore the historical relationship between Panama and the United States, with a focus on the Canal's legacy and its impact on both nations.

• Following lunch at the City of Knowledge, students visit a former U.S. military base, now transformed into a thriving hub for education, research and entrepreneurship.

• In the afternoon, visit the Miraflores Visitor Center to gain a deeper understanding of the engineering, history, and global importance of the Panama Canal as one of the world's most strategic maritime trade routes. Afterwards, our guiding team will lead a reflection session.

• Students will enjoy an evening meal in the city.

• Overnight stay in a hotel in Panama City.

Day 3: Colon: One of the world's most vital free trade zones

• Depart for Colón, Panama's second most important province and a vital gateway to the Caribbean. During this visit,  students will explore the city's history, its role in global trade, and how the creation of the Panama Canal Zone physically and socially divided the city for much of the 20th century.

• Students will enjoy a traditional Caribbean lunch.

• Students visit the Colón Free Zone, the second-largest free trade zone in the world. Through a workshop with representatives from its Educational Department, students will learn about the Free Zone's strategic role in international commerce.

• After a reflection session in the afternoon, students hop aboard a private transfer to head to Portobelo.

• Students will enjoy an evening meal in Portobelo.

• Overnight stay at a hostel in Portobelo

Day 4: Portobelo: Drumming Workshop & Dance Class

• Portobelo is one of Panama's tropical treasures and the heart of Afro-Panamanian culture. With its white sand beaches, charming islands, and picturesque town, Portobelo will leave you captivated by its beauty. Students will enjoy a local tour of the area.

• Students enjoy a traditional Caribbean lunch.

• Students will partake in a drumming workshop. During the workshop they will be guide by locals young artists. Students will learn how to play the congo drums, how to dance congo and dress like a Congo. This is an important part of their afro descendant history and also gives them the  opportunity to interact with the local people of Portobelo that work hard to preserve their traditions.

• Students jump aboard a private bus to head back to Panama City.

• Enjoy a local group dinner before a reflection session as
  students reflect upon the day’s activities.

• Overnight stay at a hotel in Panama City.

Day 6: Embera Village: Embera Cultural Immersion & Solar Panel Project

• After an early breakfast, the group hops aboard a bus to travel to the Emberá village. This will be the group’s home for the next couple of days.

• Students meet members of the community and dine like a
  local! Share a traditional Emberá lunch.

• In the afternoon, we will start the technical orientation (with a local technician and bilingual facilitator) and tour of the communal area where solar panels will be installed.

• Enjoy a local group dinner before a reflection session. Reflections are a key part of any Kagumu service project and offers students the ideal opportunity to truly understand the impact of the day’s activity and develop an understanding and  appreciation of new cultures.

• Overnight stay in the Embera community in traditional housing at a community members home. 

Day 7: Embera Village:Solar Panel Project & Cultural Evening

• Today, students begin the solar panel installation. Students team up with community volunteers and tech supervisors. Tasks include: mounting brackets, panel setup, and wiring preparation.

• Students will enjoy another home-cooked lunch in the community.

• Students continue the panel assembly, inverters, and battery setup. Community youth may assist or observe for training purposes. The group will finish with a short educational exchange on sustainable energy.

• Cultural night and reflection dinner with a Emberá dance and music presentation. Students will share reflections, songs, or cultural elements in return.

• Overnight stay in the Embera community in traditional housing at a community members home. 

Day 8: Embera to Panama City: Hike/Waterfall

• After breakfast, the group will be led by Emberá guides through a pristine rainforest on a stunning hike. Students will get the chance to swim and relax at a beautiful jungle waterfall.

• Students lunch with members of the community and dine like
  a local! Share a traditional Emberá lunch.

• Students are transferred by bus to Panama City. 

• Students have a free evening to dine and explore in the city. Note: this dinner is not included.

• Overnight stay at a hotel in Panama City.

Day 9: Panama City: Free Day in the Historical Center

• Students have a free morning in the historical old town in Panama City. Students are able to pick up some locally-made gifts for friends and family back home.

• Students choose their own lunch in the city. Note: this lunch is not included.

• Everyone meets together in the afternoon for the final reflection of the trip Then students take part in Kaguma's unique post-trip challenge that is designed to inspire students to live, travel, and work in a more sustainable way.

• Enjoy a local group dinner in the city followed by packing for departures.

• Overnight stay at a hotel in Panama City.

Day 10: Departure Day

• Your guides will take the group to the airport for your flight back home. 

While in Panama City, students will stay in a hotel, in doubles or triples. While in Portobelo, students will stay in a hostel. Lastly, while in the Embera village, you will stay in traditional housing at one of the community members homes. The home-stay experience facilitates language learning and active participation in the culture and society of the local community members and their heritage.

Program fees are to be determined. 

Program Fee Includes:

• Round trip airfare
• All accommodations
• All activities, entry fees, tours, etc. listed in the itinerary
• All in-country transportation
• All meals part of the itinerary
• Transportation to and from the Rochester airport
• International travel and medical insurance

Not Included:

• Passport (must be valid at least 6 months past the return date of the program). 
• Additional meals (meals not in the itinerary)
• Miscellaneous expenses (such as souvenirs, personal care items, etc.)

Funding Sources:

For SPARK eligible students, you will receive the $1,500 SPARK Grant from the Center for Life's Work. 

For non-SPARK eligible students, you may be eligible for funding from the Center for International Education. 

Visit the following sites to see the recommended immunizations and medications for your program. Talk with your family and your physician to understand which ones you may need to travel. 

CDC 

Passport Health

U.S. Department of State

Please complete the application by October 11th.