Marco Gonzalez Hauger • Travels • Panama

Panama Study Abroad ’23

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In Spring ’24, I traveled to Panama for a study abroad program focused on Global Logistics and Infrastructure with about 15 other students.

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Panama City

In Panama City, we visited a research facility that studied the flow of logistics through Panama and enjoyed $4 Uber rides.

In Panama City, met a Virginia Tech alumni: the CEO of Wingo, Carolina Cortizo.

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The study abroad students at the dock before the catamaran trip.

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View from Panama's tallest building at night.

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One of the stops on our boat trip: Taboga.

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Presidential Palace

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At the presidential palace, we met the First Lady; however, the President was unfortunately ill and could not see visitors.

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One of the many rooms of the palace, with a portrait for each of Panama's governors.

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The first lady, along with the director of Panama's COVID response. We were given a private presentation on how the country dealt with the pandemic.

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Panama Canal

The Panama Canal recently underwent a ~$5.5B expansion, allowing it to carry significantly larger ships. We met the Chief Engineer in charge of the project and learned about her career and leadership methods.

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View of the one of the ships passing through the canal, along with the "Mules" which pull the ships along the canal.

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In the canal, there is an island known as "Monkey Island" that we visited.

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Emberá Tribe

We took a day trip to visit the Emberá tribe, one of the seven indigenous tribes of Panama, where we got temporary tattoos drawn by the Emberá people and ate locally gathered food.

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Making a stop on our way to the tribe for a hike that leads to a waterfall.

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Learning about the Emberá tribe from one of the locals.

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Colón

In Colón, we visited the Colón Free Trade Zone, the largest free trade port in the Americas. There, we toured large warehouses and met the executives responsible for their operation.

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One of the warehouses used by the many companies using the Panama Canal.

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