Panama vs. Costa Rica for Study Abroad?

Question

I am stuck between a decision between going to Panama or Costa Rica. I don't want to go to a dirt poor country, but I want to go to a country where I can feel safe. I do want to be around other dark-skinned people like me, so that I can feel more comfortable. The options that I had to choose from were:

* Argentina

* Brazil

* Chile

* Costa Rica

* Dominican Republic

* Ecuador

* Honduras

* Panamá

* Paraguay

* Peru

I am aware that the Dominican republic has a large black population, but they do not include the program that I am applying for. I'm not going to Argentina because I have heard that they do not accept black people well there, and I'm not going to Brazil because I am trying to better my Spanish, not my Portuguese.

Answer 1

I say Costa Rica it's a beautiful place

Answer 2

I don't think you should limit yourself just because of your skin color. I think you should go wherever you want to. Say you want to go somewhere like Sweden (Blonde hair, blue eyes population), you should go! Just because you have a different skin color shouldn't matter. Becoming an exchange student is about be open to new things and adjusting to a new culture, so if you want to go somewhere where the population doesn't have dark skin, then you should go.

But enough of my rambling. Anyways.....

Out of those I think you should go to Paraguay, Peru, or Costa Rica.

Also here is a forum with a bunch of exchange students and exchange student hopefuls. http://www.cultures-shocked.org/forum/?

Answer 3

Hi. I've been to both Costa Rica and Panama several times. The Panama Canal was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. Likewise, hanging out in Costa Rica's Arenal hot springs heated by an active volcano blew my mind. For study abroad, it depends on what experience you want.

From my travels, Costa Rica is more tourist oriented than Panama, so if you want a good mix of work and play it would be the best bet. Your money also goes a long way there. Things are more expensive in Panama. You'll feel the effects of Americanization, especially when you're in the cities, whereas Costa Rica has thrived from tourism/globalization without having lost its essence.

As to skin color: The Costa Rican population is predominantly Hispanic with only about 3% black with 5% mixed, and even that is concentrated in certain areas. I'm a 1st generation Black Latino though, and I've never felt unwelcome. In Panama you see people of color wherever you go. Amerindians and Black West Indians are 14% of the mix.

In my biased opinion (my mom is Costa-Rican) CR is the more fun of the two, with tons of things to do, restaurants to eat at, places to explore and fabulous beaches. Everywhere you look, you're surrounded by beauty. The only downside might be that you're studying too much to take it all in.

Regardless of which you choose you're going to have an

amazing time. The fact that you speak some Spanish is going to make your time spent even more heavenly. And if you really want to check out the other side, you can always take the 14 hr bus ride. My family drove from CR to Panama in a day. The mountains and the views of the jungle/forest, waterfalls all while winding up steep curves is  to live for.  

Good luck and don't forget your camera! =)

Answer 4

i'm actually deciding between those 2 countries right now as well!

i chose costa rica as my first choice and panama as my second, i think the 2 countries are very similar-- in terms of studying abroad there--  but i'm guessing costa rica maybe just a little bit more advanced because or all of the tourism there.

i'm also not your typical/stereotyped american (blonde hair and blue eyes), i'm filipino so i'm wondering if they'll accept me... they probably will... i hope