Lachlan John [pictured above, right] is a Civil Engineering student from the University of Technology Sydney. Earlier this year, Lachlan left our shores and travelled all the way to Central America to participate in the Global Leadership Program in Panama. Lachlan was such an awesome participant that he has been invited back again next year as a Student Coordinator, which is a real honour! Lachlan tells us about his experiences below:
Hi Lachlan! Could you please introduce yourself?
Hi! I'm Lachlan John and I'm currently studying Civil Engineering at UTS
Why did you choose the GLP Panama program?
I chose the Panama program because I wanted to visit a completely new area of the world and experience what life is like there, and Panama seemed to be a good first step, a safe introduction to Latin America shall we say!
Did you have any fears or concerns before doing the program?
I was a little worried about the workload as it sounded extreme, but it turned out to be quite manageable, to the point where I was able to hone my teaching and tutoring skills by helping the others do theirs. Being a native English speaker was definitely an advantage.
Tell me about a typical day during the program
Up at 7:30ish, shower and skip breakfast to get on the bus by 8.
Arrive at the Uni around 8:30/9.
Have first class till 12 then break for lunch.
Have second class from 12:30/1 to 3:30/4 then head home on the bus.
Arrive home around 5ish, make plans for that evening/hang out with other program members.
Do homework till anywhere from 12-3am then sleep.
What was the highlight of the program for you?
Definitely the friends I made. I now have 15 or so friends from Mexico, one from Venezuela, a few from Columbia, a few from Panama, a couple from the States and one from the Czech Republic. Other than this, the whole travel experience in general was great.
Did you gain any interesting insights into the Panamanian culture/Panamanian people?
Panama is really a country between western progression and old world traditions. While Panama city and a couple of other places are really riding on a wave of development, the vast majority of the country is almost virgin forest or countryside with quite poor residents, including a number of indigenous tribes, some of whom still live by their traditional means. This makes for very interesting cultural identity issues when not everyone within the one country can identify with the same patriotic ideal or mantra. Plus it can be quite confronting going from the relative affluence of some parts of the city to dirt floor huts in the country.
Do you have some tips for someone who's going on this course?
If you are willing to put in the hours and perhaps go without some sleep here and there, the study should be no problem. Being a native English speaker, you will have a huge advantage and may just find a lot of the work at least easier, if not easy.
I had originally planned to fly through Buenos Aires, Santiago and Bogota to get to Panama before the volcano erupted in Chile. I did have friends who were able to do this and I would highly recommend this option if you are going to be in the region anyway. This would be best before the program, as you will have time between your exams finishing and the program starting, whereas you won’t have any between the program finishing and the next semester starting.
Must-do activities are San Blas island weekend, hopefully we will be able to organise this again in 2012; a visit to Casco Viejo (old town part of Panama, with lots of history and some good restaurants and clubs) as well as Panama Viejo (original Panama ruins).
There are a few good clubs, with some new ones opening as we were leaving, all within a short distance of each other, however I cannot remember where.
How has this program impacted you?
This program has impacted me in my love for travel, I now cannot wait till I’m on my next adventure; and my ability to lead in alien situations with cultural sensitivity.
What would you say to somebody who’s thinking of doing the program?
I would say definitely go for it! It is an experience you’ll never forget and you’ll be on Skype for the next 2 or 3 months talking to all your new friends you grew so close to over the month.
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