Panama's Education System

So I had a compelling/tragically realistic discussion with an English professor at my University today about the state of and truths concerning Panama's Education system.  I'll list a few things here from our conversation that absolutely shocked me and put in perspective the differences between a developed nation's system and a third world country's.
First off, I'll introduce this teacher..his name is Nivaldo who is an English writing professor at UNACHI. He received a Fulbright scholarship about 15 years back which sent him to the United States for a year doing the same kind of thing.  Therefore, he has a lot of experience with both school systems and is visibly frustrated with how far behind Panama's is compared to that of the United States'.   Begin rant:
From the time the children here enter school to the time they graduate high school, the "passing" score in the public schools is 50% (compared to the 65-70% in the U.S.)  That may not seem like a drastic difference, yet, if you think about it, every single assignment that they have to complete in order to graduate from high school is pass/fail.  As Nivaldo said, it creates an attitude of "do just barely enough to get by" which then, in my view, potentially becomes habit and may be evident in their university studies and/or jobs they attain after graduating--not good for society.
Next, he talked about how students are never challenged to think on a higher-level in schools.  Rote memorization is the common (only) method. Copy definition, say the definition, repeat the definition. How do you grow as a student/person when you are never forced to think for yourself?
Yet, the most shocking thing of all to hear was that Panamanian students are never taught how to write. They do not write one true essay before they graduate from high school.  The most, he said, that they may do is write freestyle about a vacation, etc.  But at no point are they taught how to format an essay, how to research, or how to create any work of their own.  When they research, they google, they copy, and they paste....and that is acceptable.  It just put me in a state of awe to hear that most of the population of Panama (those who don't go on to a University) has never and will never write a formatted essay.
This is all until they come to the University, of course.  That is what Nivaldo says is so frustrating for him..He can't just teach them English writing; he has to first take them through the basics of writing, how to organize an essay in general, and then he can finally get into the English portion of it. My elementary education major may be of more use than I thought over the next 9 months.
All of these flaws, however, are clear, concrete problems that can be fixed.  With a bit of determination and research from a dedicated group of intellectuals, Panamanian education and, in turn, society could potentially be improved dramatically. 

The search continues..

Still homeless.  Just wanted to come out and say it, save any suspense.  The process has been painfully slow and drawn out.  Despite the constant searching and inquiring, and the numerous contacts I've made, I clearly underestimated how difficult it would be to find a furnished place at a reasonable price here in David.  Basically everything for rent here, houses and apartments, is unfurnished unfortunately which makes things very difficult for me since I don't want to buy a house worth's of furniture for the 9 months I'll be down here.  There was an opportunity to live with one woman for about 200 in her house, but I saw some potential red flags when she sat me down and began the conversation with, "What religion are you?" in a way that made me terrified to answer incorrectly.  This was followed by "You don't drink alcohol or do drugs do you?" I strategically answered this question by saying "No, I don't do drugs." I didn't want to lie with 5 different versions of Jesus looking at me from the walls, so I was happy with my answer. Anyways, an interesting possibility has actually emerged recently in which a guy staying here at the hostel is finishing up a house in David and we've been talking.  Potential.  I'll keep you updated on that front, but until further notice, I'm at the hostel.
I wanted to get that frustration out of the way, because really everything else has been going very smoothly here and I've already met some great and intriguing people (Panamanians as well as people at the hostel from all different countries).  That's been one plus of being stuck here at the hostel--the variety of people coming in and out, hearing their stories, what's brought them here, and even finding some who will be staying in the area.  The downsides are obviously that I don't have a place of my own and I'm speaking way too much English.  Anyways, I've become good friends with one couple in particular from Canada, each around 30.  They will actually be staying in an area called Boquete about a 30 minute drive from where I am and have rented a home with a beautiful view (I choose my friends wisely). Here's a view from the back of their house:

UNACHI: After a stressful few days of figuring out my schedule at the University (they were planning at first for me to work mornings and afternoons every week day before I told them that I need time to volunteer as well), I am extremely excited with what the English Director and I came up with in the end.  We decided to pack the 20 hours into Monday-Wednesday, leaving all of Thursday and Friday for me to volunteer (or possibly travel on certain weekends..) My responsibilities at UNACHI will include tutoring, helping out in the classrooms (primarily with 1st year students), leading a drama and reading club, and doing occasional lectures on the English language or American culture, history, etc.  I'll definitely be busy.
Thankfully, the people at UNACHI have been incredibly welcoming and seemingly really excited for me to be here and help out.  My mentor teacher, Elia, is amazing and has taken me under her wing right from the first moment.  She calls me her "hijo" which she enjoys since all of her children have moved to Panama City. A much appreciated "rent-a-mom" for my time down here.
Well classes begin at the University tomorrow and I should be asleep by now, pues, buenas noches amigos!

Made it to David!

Just wanted to check in and tell you all that after a 7 hour bus ride, I have made it safely to David. I am staying in a hostel right now that is awesome--AC, free wifi, cable TV, a pool all for $12 a night, not bad!  The best part is a great seafood restaurant (tiny, but very good) is within about 10 steps of the hostel. So maybe I'll take my time with this whole "finding a place to live" thing after all.
I've only been here for a few hours, but it's clear that it's a whole different world here compared to Panama City.  David is a small, more rural town, not as many honk-obsessed taxis, but still has a bunch of universities so it should be a nice place.  Very excited, just wanted to check in and let you guys know oficialmente, estoy en David.

Week 1: Panama City

Well, there's nothing like a week of vacation in a place like Panama City to get you acclimated to a new country and culture.  All in all, that's basically what these past 8 days have been--a relaxing, hot vacation.  And I can't tell you or thank Libby (the other Fulbright ETA here in Panama) enough for taking me in this first week and introducing me to the nuances of Panama's unique culture.  I'm lucky to come down here to a familiar face and get used to the country and its people somewhat--something Libby unfortunately didn't have the opportunity to do.  I'm sure I will be feeling more of how she felt when she first got here when I finally get into David tomorrow, but to this point, its been smooth sailing.  (aka if you're reading this hoping to find typical, absurd "Drew stories" or tales of me wandering the streets begging people for a place to live, skip the rest of this and just come back for my next post.)

If you are still reading, that means you like me and not just hoping for horror stories...thank you.  Anyways, this week has been great.  The first full day I was here, I was lucky enough to meet the U.S. Ambassador to Panama, the Minister of Education in Panama and Panama City's main Univerisity's President. Quite a day and hopefully indicative of things to come. This was all at a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new English Language Immersion Program that a Fulbright Fellow (Christine, another friend down here) has co-created.

The next day, Libby and I made our way to the Panama Canal.  I have been reading a book about the history behind the canal for a while now (really long book) which gave me an appreciation for what I was looking at that I wouldnt have otherwise had.  Although the "museum" was pretty underwhelming, and I'm still unsure how the U.S. gets 0 profit from this canal anymore after basically building the whole thing (they said Panama grosses about $400,000 a day from it), it was an incredible experience. 

The past 5 or so days have been "Carnaval" here--a huge festival/celebration in the streets that is celebrated all throughout Panama and all throughout Latin America.  What I have summed it up as is a week long tailgate with a little more dancing at night.  Here in Panama City, (not as crazy as other parts of Panama from what I've been told) a long street is blocked off with people walking or dancing along it, lots of drinking and music (mucho reggaeton) and kids squirting squirt guns or throwing confetti on you (or, in my case, straight into my face.)  But the whole city pretty much shuts down from the 4th to the 8th including schools and bars--pretty wild.

Yesterday, Libby, Christine and I took a ferry to a small, quaint town and beach on Taboga Island.  Some great views along the way and I liked the island itself.  The picture here is of the town on Taboga.  I thought it was a fine beach, yet was warned continually that its a terrible beach compared to the rest in Panama....I'll take that as an encouraging sign to say the least.

So, over my week here in Panama City, I've done some really fun things, met many good, interesting people (both Panamanian and American), and have tried to pick up as much as I can of the Panamanian Spanish and culture--truthfully, just been living the tourist's life so far.  I make my trek to the country side of Panama by taking a 7 hour bus ride to David tomorrow. I'm excited and ready as I'll ever be.  Bueno, hasta pronto mis amigos y ¡que te vaya bien!