My name is Solina Long. I am majoring in Biology BS, and I am an upcoming sophomore in school. My host program is CofC in Panama: Ecology. I chose this program because I took the marine biodiversity and ecology course in the spring of 2023, and I really enjoyed being hands on in the field and being immersed in the environment. The goals that I set for my time abroad is to be able to experience as many new things as I have the opportunity to do, as well as try to improve my Spanish while I am there. The research that I did about Panama was looking up where it was on a map, what languages they speak, and some common cultural aspects. I looked up common clothing in Panama as well as common foods to try.