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Supply Chain Management and Logistics in Panama : Reviews (Panama City)

The following program review responses have been selected for publication by Study Abroad & Global Engagement
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Joseph Grant Gideon, Summer 2013 Participant
Making the connection of classroom discussion to real life practice was very enriching.

 

Summer 2013 Participant
The best parts of this program was meeting with businesses that have located to Panama to take advantage of its close proximity to the Panama Canal and bonding with others students that went on the trip.

 

Kimber Kathleen Valencia-Bravo, Summer 2014 Participant
My favorite part of the program was seeing the distribution processes we talk about in class in action in real life. It was also exciting to see a modern marvel like the Panama Canal in person.

 

Winter Break 2014 Participant
The program provides a hands-on business experience like none other I have ever experienced. You visit offices and distribution centers, as well as ports, and the Canal and learn more in 10 days than you do in some semester-long classes!

 

Matthew Scott Pearson, Winter Break 2015 Participant
My favorite part of this program was being able to see the Panama Canal and the two major shipping ports on either side of Panama. The amount of shipping containers moving through Panama is astounding, which allows you to see various Supply Chain strategies.

 

Winter Break 2016 Participant
This program was a great way to experience another culture while at the same time learning about Panama in relation to SCM.

 

Winter Break 2022 Participant
It was really eye opening to see how business operate in other countries. Additionally, it was quite interesting to see how companies in Panama takes advantage of the canal and the logistics clusters available in Panama. I also very much enjoyed connecting with students that are studying similar things to me.

 

Winter Break 2023 Participant
My favorite part of the program was meeting so many amazing people who shared my love for the supply chain. Being amongst peers who have the same career goals inspired me to take opportunities and risks I never would have before.

 

Winter Break 2023 Participant
My favorite part of the trip was walking around the old town, learning about the history and seeing the cool buildings.

 

Winter Break 2024 Participant
My favorite part of this program was the tour of Maersk. The President of their Latin American division spoke to us about ESG and how their company is working to reduce their carbon footprint.

 

Winter Break 2024 Participant
Although it is extremely hard to pick just one favorite for my study abroad experience, I would have to say learning from and seeing firsthand supply chain activities in arguably the best spot in the world for supply chain related activities. It was also great being immersed in the culture and getting close with the great instructors we had and the students around me.

 

Winter Break 2025 Participant
My favorite part of the program was the site visits to port companies and the canal. Seeing how large the containers, equipment, and ships were in person was shocking.

 

Winter Break 2025 Participant
My favorite part of the program was seeing the beauty of Panama. I enjoyed the learning experiences but it was nice to get out and see something completely foreign to me.

 

Darius Dewaun Johnson, Summer 2014 Participant
I found the interactions with professionals in the supply chain field to be most rewarding. As a student I have a lot of decisions to make when it comes to selecting a career, pursuing a graduate degree, etc. and to get advice from someone who has already traveled the path that I am traveling is invaluable.

 

Rachael Patricia Baldwin, Winter Break 2015 Participant
As a class we were able to communicate with executives from a variety of relevant supply chain companies that allowed us as students to gain a better perspective of the supply chain world after college.

 

Laura Liliana Murcia Montenegro, Winter Break 2015 Participant
Everything was very rewarding! The way the program is structured, I believe, combines perfectly the academic and the cultural activities in a way that students have a great learning experience in every activity they do. Through every single activity and presentation, we were able to realize in a deeper level the importance of supply chain management in this interconnected world. The program provides students with opportunities and experiences that one cannot obtain in a classroom setting. The program surpassed my expectations in every level, and I would recommend this program without any doubt. Every business student should have a learning experience like this!

 

Luis Manuel Noble, Winter Break 2016 Participant
Networking with people who were actually in the field of business is something that I feel was extremely beneficial.

 

Winter Break 2017 Participant
I gained valuable real-world experience through this program.

 

Daniel S Jones, Winter Break 2018 Participant
Meeting company executives, supply chain professionals, and listening to presentations by people with first hand knowledge was amazing. Everyone was very accommodating and absolutely loved being able to present to a group of Jayhawks. The students on this trip are able to expand their professional network with International Business professionals and obtain an intimate knowledge of how Panama functions in the global business environment.

 

Winter Break 2019 Participant
I learned more in the two weeks I was on the program than I ever had in a classroom. Being able to see things in person and make connections made coming back to my business classes so much easier.

 

Winter Break 2020 Participant
I found the trips to the different sets of locks the most rewarding as well as the presentations from various business leaders throughout Panama City.

 

Winter Break 2022 Participant
I found seeing the companies' operations first hand the more rewarding. Being able to ask managers questions was very helpful and provided knowledge that you would not normally obtain in a classroom.

 

Winter Break 2022 Participant
Getting to see the distribution centers that we learn about in class in person was one of the most rewarding aspects of the program.

 

Winter Break 2022 Participant
I enjoyed the lectures prepared for us by all the businesses we visited. We were first given a lecture then we transitioned straight to on the field interaction to experience what we just learned about.

 

Winter Break 2024 Participant
I found the first-hand experiences from our tour guides the most rewarding. It gave the history we learned through our tours more relatable and less abstract. Learning about people's families and what they did in Panama helped connect with logistics. Getting personal recommendations on places to go and things to see and eat was a great way to have fun experiences with the rest of the group.

 

Summer 2013 Participant
Panama plays a key role in the supply chain for many companies around the globe. This experience gave me a much better understanding of how businesses are taking advantage of Panama's geographic location and the Panama Canal to bring efficiencies to their supply chain.

 

Taylor P Ross, Winter Break 2016 Participant
Always take the chance to push yourself out of your comfort zone.

 

Ashley Priscilla Howell, Winter Break 2017 Participant
Everything that I saw, did, and learned on this program has helped me in my major courses here at KU. I believe my experiences abroad in Panama give me an edge in my classes and understand the material covered better.

 

Cassiopie Nelson, Winter Break 2017 Participant
It is important to prepare for any study abroad trip. Read extensively on the culture, history, food,government, and language. The more you know going into the trip the more you will learn and enjoy once you arrive. Most importantly, remember that different from ones' own culture does not mean bad and or inferior for the country culture you are experiencing; be respectful and inquisitive.

 

Isiah D Bowie, Winter Break 2018 Participant
One thing that I found important on the trip was the daily journal. Keeping your thoughts on paper is the most helpful thing you can do on the trip because you will be doing so many things in one day you wont be able to remember everything. The journal doesn't have to be just for class but can be looked at in the future when you're older.

 

Winter Break 2018 Participant
The international experience even if for a short term is vastly rewarding in the experiences it provides and you shouldn't be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone.

 

Chadwick Wohletz, Winter Break 2018 Participant
I learned how to work and learn with a group of people that I was unfamiliar with. Being outside of my comfort zone in a different country with an unfamiliar group of people was a different experience. This was an exceptional learning experience entering the workforce.

 

Rachel Lee Anderson, Winter Break 2019 Participant
Ask as many questions as possible to the speakers. It is a wonderful opportunity to get their perspective and advice. Take in as much as you can because it goes by quick and is an amazing opportunity to see just how big supply chain is.

 

Winter Break 2022 Participant
I learned to always enjoy the moment and to soak up all of the valuable knowledge that is given to you by each company. While business is conducted rather similar in Panama as it is in the US, some employees/companies had different mindsets and ways to operate on a day to day basis and that is valuable knowledge to bring back to the US.

 

Winter Break 2024 Participant
I learned so many things about Panamanian culture, business, food, traditions, etc. On top of that, we learned how massive global supply chain problems can affect our lives. We learned how ports and canals operate, we saw them first hand and asked all the questions we could think of.

 

Winter Break 2025 Participant
I learned more about what it takes to move a simple product like a shirt. The amount of time and labor it takes to move something from Asia to your door is not simple.