new to 2024!
Panama Embedded
SCM 497: Global Logistics Seminar
Spring 2024: SCM 497 (1cr) at Penn State
Wednesdays, 12:20pm – 1:10pm
103 Business Building
Spring Break travel in Panama
March 2 – March 9, 2024
Application Deadline: November 27, 2023
Early Application Encouraged!
Application Closed
Upcoming Information Sessions
Panama Embedded Info Session
Monday, October 23 | 5:15 – 6:15 PM
120 Business Building
Learn more about this customized Smeal experience! Talk with the faculty leading the course and get your questions answered.
Faculty-Led Study Abroad Fair
Monday, November 6 | 3:00 – 5:00 PM
217 Business Building
Meet Smeal faculty leading courses around the world and get your questions about Faculty-Led Maymester and Embedded programs answered.
Panama Embedded Info Session
Monday, November 13 | 4:30 – 5:30 PM
120 Business Building
Learn more about this customized Smeal experience! Talk with the faculty leading the course and get your questions answered.
Study in Panama, the heart of the global supply chain
With its strategic position as a trade hub and thriving business community, Panama provides an exceptional backdrop to study international commerce, logistics, and supply chain dynamics in action. Beyond the classroom, experiencing the world-renowned Panama Canal and networking with industry professionals offers a firsthand understanding of global trade operations. Panama’s fusion of traditions, innovative industries, and dynamic challenges provides an ideal environment for cultivating adaptable mindsets and honing strategies to navigate diverse markets. The country’s inviting climate and warm-hearted populace are sure to create lifelong memories. Be it meandering through the historical avenues of Casco Viejo, savoring local cuisine, or relishing awe-inspiring vistas, Panama delivers an unforgettable educational experience.
Course Structure:
This course will meet once a week during the Spring 2024 semester in addition to the spring break study abroad component.
Planned business logistics visits (subject to change):
- U.S. Embassy Economic Briefing
- City of Knowledge
- Manzanillo International Terminal
- Colon Free Trade Zone
- J. Cain & Co.
- DHL
- COPA Airlines
- World Food Programme
Students will also have the unique opportunity to meet and work with students from the Universidad Tecnólogica de Panamá on a case study challenge
Planned cultural field trips (subject to change):
- Tour of Panama City
- Panama Canal Tour
- Gamboa Resort Sloth Sanctuary
Travel to Panama:
Students will travel to Panama as a group. A flight to Panama from the United States takes on average between 5-8 hours. The time zone in Panama is GMT-5, just one hour behind State College, so jet lag is minimal!
Expectations:
Panama’s multicultural environment offers a unique perspective on business, allowing students to engage with locals from diverse backgrounds and learn firsthand about the intersections of culture, commerce, and logistics. Amidst the backdrop of Panama’s strategic trade hub status and rich history, students can explore case studies that illuminate both international and local supply chain strategies, fostering a deep understanding of how businesses navigate diverse markets while managing the movement of goods. Networking within Panama’s vibrant business community offers not only professional connections but also insights into the cultural nuances that shape supply chain relationships and negotiations. Through language exposure, experiential learning, and engagement with local industries, students can cultivate adaptable mindsets and cross-cultural competencies, preparing them to excel in an interconnected and culturally diverse business world.
Eligibility:
- 18 years of age or above
- Good academic and disciplinary standing at Penn State
- 3.00 GPA or better at the time of the application
- Prerequisites: SCM 301 or BA 302 completed, or concurrent enrollment in SCM 301
- OPEN to all majors with a demonstrated interest in business/supply chain
- No Spanish language is required
the study in study abroad
Program Overview & Academics
SCM 497 Global Logistics Seminar
| 1 credit | This course can satisfy general elective credit.
Wednesdays, 12:20pm-1:10pm
103 Business Building
Now more than ever, supply chain management has become an important element of strategic competitive advantage for companies around the world. Global business competition requires effective design and integration of multiple elements within the supply chain. Panama, a tiny but mighty Central American nation located strategically between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is considered one of the world’s most important logistical hubs for global supply chains and is a preferred trade route for many international firms. You will be exposed to the evolution of logistics networks and their impact on the Panamanian economy, sociopolitical development and culture. On a global scale, students will learn how Panama contributes to the design of global supply chains across various industries and understand the advantages and disadvantages of global logistics networks that utilize Panama as a trade hub. By traveling to see the Panama Canal first-hand, you will have the opportunity to experience the rich cultural diversity embedded into one of the largest business gateways for the Caribbean, Central and South American distribution to the United States.
faculty
Meet Your Professors
Felisa Higgins
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education and Clinical Professor of Supply Chain Management
Dr. Felisa Preciado Higgins is the William A. Donan Professor of Business Administration and Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education at the Smeal College of Business at Penn State University. Felisa holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University, a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from Florida State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Florida A&M University. Before joining Penn State in 2007, she worked for Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KCC), where she served as a supply chain optimization senior specialist. Her previous work experience also includes multinational companies in the automotive and apparel manufacturing industries. She hails from Panama, is the daughter of Ecuadorian parents, and, along with her husband, Patrick Higgins, has six children.
Johanna Amaya
Assistant Professor in Supply Chain & Information Systems
Johanna Amaya is Assistant Professor of Supply Chain Management. Prior to joining Smeal, she served as Faculty at Iowa State University. She completed studies in Industrial Engineering, Business Logistics, and Transportation Engineering. Her research interests are disaster response logistics and sustainable urban freight transportation. She has several publications in such areas and has been part of diverse projects and panels. Dr. Amaya is part of the POMS College of Humanitarian Operations and Crisis Management; member of the TRB Disaster Response, Emergency Evacuations, and Business Continuity Standing Committee, and of the Committee on Urban Freight.
logistics
Housing, Travel & Meals
Students will travel and live together around Panama throughout the program.
Where You’ll Stay
Students will stay in shared rooms in a Hotel in Panama City for the duration of the travel
Getting Around
You can travel through Panama by metro, bus, taxi, plane, boat, or your own two feet! Students will travel together to class activities.
Good Eats
Panama’s food scene is a blend of indigenous, Spanish, African, and Caribbean flavors shaped by its location and history. Panama City offers diverse international cuisines alongside traditional options, and the country is renowned for its fine coffee and lively markets with fresh produce and local snacks.
Application Process and Timeline
APPLY: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Early application is encouraged. Final deadline is November 27th, 2023.
COMMIT: Complete a Financial Commitment Agreement to secure your spot and be enrolled in SCM 497 (SP24).
Budget
Cost & Scholarships
There are many ways to reduce the cost of study abroad. One key strategy is to plan ahead and select a program that makes the best use of credits towards graduation requirements. Smeal International Program Advisers are available to meet with students to help them select the best program to meet their academic goals.
Click here to view the Budget Sheet for this particular program:
Penn State Global Embedded Scholarship
Effective for the fall 2023 semester and beyond, there is no application required to be considered for the Global Embedded Scholarship. Students must confirm their travel participation with the course leader and students must enroll in the credit-bearing academic course(s) associated with the travel in order to be eligible to receive this award.
Recipients shall be selected by the Education Abroad Scholarship Committee. The primary factor considered, in consultation with the Office of Student Aid, is the applicant’s financial need. Because of the volume of applications, awards usually go to students with the highest level of financial need as determined by the Office of Student Aid. Among those with the highest need, preference may be given to students with higher cumulative grade point averages and/or to those with no prior Penn State education abroad experience.
Smeal Embedded Study Abroad Scholarship
Smeal students are encouraged to apply!
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants must be in the Smeal College of Business and have a FAFSA on file to be considered.
Student Engagement Network Study Abroad Grants
Students may apply for either a $1000 award or a $2000 award.
More information is available on the Student Engagement Network’s website
Penn State Office of Student Aid
GET TO KNOW YOUR CITY
Why Study in Panama?
Supply Chains and the Panama Canal
The supply chain business in Panama thrives as a result of the country’s strategic geographic location and well-developed infrastructure. Situated at the crossroads of major trade routes and home to the Panama Canal, Panama serves as a vital link connecting North and South America. Its robust port facilities, including the Colón Free Trade Zone, one of the largest in the world, make it a hub for warehousing, distribution, and transshipment activities. The supply chain industry benefits from streamlined customs processes, efficient logistics operations, and a skilled workforce. Companies leverage Panama’s logistical advantages to optimize their global supply networks, allowing goods to move seamlessly between continents. With its competitive advantages and connectivity, Panama continues to play a crucial role in the global supply chain, attracting businesses seeking to capitalize on its strategic positioning and logistical capabilities.
Multicultural Identity
Panama’s uniqueness is rooted in its remarkable multicultural tapestry shaped by its strategic geographic position as a bridge between continents. This convergence of cultures has woven a diverse fabric of traditions, languages, and customs. Indigenous communities contribute indigenous heritage, maintaining languages and practices, while Spanish colonial influence is evident in architecture and traditions. The historic significance of the Panama Canal further solidifies its role as a meeting point for global forces, drawing people from around the world and enriching the nation’s identity. This cultural blend comes alive through vibrant festivals like Carnaval and Semana Santa. Panama’s linguistic diversity is equally striking, with Spanish, English, and indigenous languages all commonly spoken. Panama’s distinctiveness emanates from its celebration of its multicultural heritage, resulting in a country that thrives on the strength of its diversity.
Quality of Life
Panama beckons tourists with a captivating mix of modern allure and cultural riches. Panama City’s soaring skyscrapers coexist with the historic charm of Casco Viejo’s cobblestone streets and bustling markets. Culinary delights fuse local and international flavors, while a vibrant nightlife offers diverse entertainment. Pristine beaches and nearby islands cater to relaxation and water activities, complementing the city’s well-kept parks. With reliable transportation, shopping venues, and English accessibility, Panama City promises a dynamic and enriching getaway that seamlessly blends urban sophistication with tropical vibrancy.
Have a Question?
Meet with an Adviser!
Make an appointment with a Smeal International Programs Adviser to learn more about study abroad programs, discuss academic fit, and how to apply! We offer in person advising in the Business Building (Suite 484) or virtual advising through Zoom.