Learning Experiences |
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| Written by Editor |
| Friday, 17 November 2006 11:07 |
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“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.†I cannot explain any better my decision to come to Panama at the young age of 22, a month after I graduated college, better than Robert Frost expresses. I only know of one friend of mine that decided not accept the 9-5 cubicle job and leave the land of the free, home of the brave. But, she did venture over to another 1st world English speaking country.
January 5, 2007 will mark six months exactly that I will have been living and working in Panama and the official date that my internship here will officially be over. When I accepted the job back in February of this year I was teased by my friends that I would never come back. I just chuckled. Today though, I plan on returning to the states for two weeks in January after which, I plan to return to Panama and work.
There is a lot of commotion about Panama, as many already know. But this is coming from, and targeted to, middle aged men and women up to retirees. I would like to give you a point of view from a young adult who isn't interested in investing in property or purchasing land, but rather just trying to be young. I am choosing to live in Panama because I feel that I will gain experience here that I cannot and will not receive in the United States. Selling in a different language. When I first arrived in Panama, on a scale of 1-10, my Spanish was about a 2. Now, I would give it a 3. I am fortunate in that every person that I work with speaks English, but that doesn't mean their or their company secretaries do. It takes patience and determination to try and get a hold of your contact in a foreign language through a secretary that is spitting rapid fire “Panamanian Spanish†at you. Knowing that almost every time I pick up the phone to call my contact to collect money that I won't understand the conversation in full through the secretary, or even close to it, is quite frustrating. When I return I will become a travel consultant. Obviously, part of my job will be calling resorts, hotels, tour companies etc. and trying to book rooms, tours, etc. I was told about 25% of our partners speak English and it's “machacado†or “mashed†English. So, 75% of the time I will need to make reservations in a language I kind of understand but don't really speak. Cultural differences in the workplace. I hail from Silicon Valley where an Indian, an Asian, and European can be walking to lunch together during work hours, or even after work hours, and no one would think twice. While over 50% of the staff here is Panamanian, I often find myself questioning the mannerisms that the Panamanians display in the workplace that “I as an American†would find quite strange. Nevertheless, it's a two way street. They often laugh at us Gringos for doing “weird†things as well. But, in their country you play by their rules, and what they say and do is now what you have to say and do. Showing up to meetings six hours late, cell phones ringing and being answered during conferences, kisses on the cheek by complete strangers, and the exchange of business cards at the very start of the meeting is the Panamanian way! Getting around. Running red lights, blocking traffic, one-way streets, horns honking, and vendors in the middle of the street can be quite a stress inducer. Now try to tell the taxi driver where you need to be without actually knowing exactly where it is while all this is going on. Oh yeah, let's not forget he is also speaking a foreign language. Whether it means drawing a map, calling your Spanish co-worker to explain to the cab driver where you are going, or repeating the name of the building five times in five different accents to get where you need to be means that is the only way you are going to get there, then so be it. You gotta figure it out. I know all this might be coming off condescending. My purpose of this is to try to give people my point of view and learning experiences in a foreign, third world country as a young adult that I WOULD NOT be able to receive in the United States. Sometimes I just want to throw in my towel in and call it quits. But, what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, right? There is so much that Panama has to offer someone and I came here with an open arms and an open mind. More Panama travel Trackback(0)
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| Last Updated on Monday, 11 August 2008 22:26 |
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Thank you for the article! Very good descriptions. I am coming to Panama in november and would like to rent a room form a Panmanian family that doesn't understand nor wish to learn English.
I have to improve my spanish (for my own self esteem) and know this would be the best way...do you have any ideas?
thank you!
Beth