Welcome+PANAMA CANAL

Today we woke up bright and early at 5:30 a.m. as we set out to visit one of Panama’s most impressive landmarks, the Panama Canal! The weather was a warm 85°F, feeling closer to 95°F, but the excitement made the heat easy to forget.

At the canal, we watched massive cargo ships pass through the locks and learned about the incredible engineering that keeps this world-famous waterway running.  It was fascinating to see how advanced engineering and careful coordination allow these enormous vessels to move between oceans.

Next, we watched an IMAX movie about the Panama Canal. The stunning 3D visuals brought to life the canal’s history, the challenges of its construction, and the many people who made it possible. As if the visuals weren’t impressive enough, the film was narrated by the one and only Morgan Freeman, making the experience even more memorable.

Afterward, it was time for our three-hour journey to Chitré. We built the perfect road-trip playlist, grabbed lunch along the way, and then hopped back on the pink bus.

Once we arrived, students received their room assignments and enjoyed some free time socializing and playing games on the terrace. Later, we held our Welcome Accommodation Meeting, where students received their journals, met hotel staff, reviewed expectations, and participated in a fun icebreaker. We saw lots of creativity as students used their bodies to spell their names, with plenty of laughs and elbow moves included!

We also held our Líder del Día (leader of the day)meeting, where students learned about the role’s responsibilities and expectations. Each Leader of the Day helps introduce the daily reflection question, reviews the next day’s agenda, and takes on leadership duties throughout the following day.

Before stepping into the role, however, each leader gets to showcase a special talent. Today, we were lucky to enjoy presentations from Kendall and John. Kendall shared some of his impressive artwork, while John wowed the group with his wrestling moves. We loved seeing their creativity, confidence, and unique talents on display!

We can’t wait to see our leaders in action tomorrow as we continue exploring the culture and community of Chitré!

Erika 🙂