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World Learning is committed to keeping you healthy and safe during travel and throughout the duration of your seminar. If you are uncertain whether a situation should be handled as an emergency, please contact your World Learning program staff. If you are feeling ill, but do not need immediate help, please inform a World Learning staff member so that they are aware of your illness and can take action if your condition worsens. World Learning staff will guide you on the appropriate steps to address a potential emergency situation or illness.
Personal Health
During the seminar, remember to:
Stay hydrated – drink plenty of water!
Get plenty of rest – rest in between sessions and make sure to get a good night’s sleep.
Eat nutritiously – seek out nutritious meals that make you feel healthy and strong.
Be flexible and adaptable – sometimes things don’t go as planned, so remember to stay positive and flexible in the face of change.
Stay active – walk, stretch, or run at the hotel gym or outside if possible.
Wash your hands often.
Before departing for Panama, please ensure that all your routine vaccinations are up-to-date. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry for anyone arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, including people who were in transit in an airport located in a risk country for more than 12 hours. Malaria is also present in rural areas in Panama.
Although it is determined now to be a low likelihood, there is a risk of contracting the Zika virus in Panama. Special precautions are recommended for pregnant women, the partners of pregnant women, and those considering pregnancy. These participants should strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during travel and for three weeks after return, including wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants and using EPA-registered insect repellents.
For further information on Zika, please go to https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/risk-of-zika-selected-destination.
Please refer to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website for more detailed health information for travelers to Panama: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/panama?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001.
General Safety Tips
Maintain a low profile. Avoid displaying money, wearing jewelry, or carrying valuables such as laptop computers or cameras.
Carry a mobile phone programmed with numbers that would be useful in an emergency (e.g. World Learning, police, etc).
Walk in groups or at least with one other person.
Understand the basic geography of your destination and familiarize yourself with key routes and high-crime areas. If you find yourself disoriented, be discreet when consulting a map – or ask for directions from someone in public.
Avoid disputes, demonstrations, political rallies, and commotions on the street.
Carry cash in more than one pocket and keep a small amount in a top pocket to hand over to a robber if one confronts you.
Obtain small denominations of currency and keep cash/cards in a money belt.
Ignore verbal “bait” from others – do not get into an argument. If you think that you are being followed, enter any public place and call for help.
Maintain a high level of information security. Do not give out personal information. Do not discuss your plans with strangers.
If walking at night, walk in groups and well-lit areas.
Do not accept food or drinks from strangers. Always keep your food and drink in sight in entertainment venues.
Emergency Protocols
World Learning is committed to keeping you healthy and safe during travel and throughout your seminar. If you are uncertain whether a situation should be handled as an emergency, please contact your World Learning program staff. If you are feeling ill but do not need immediate help, inform a World Learning staff member. World Learning staff will help you take the appropriate steps to address your illness.
In case of an emergency, call the local emergency numbers for Panama City below:
Police: 104
Ambulance: 103
Fire: 103
The general emergency line is 911.
After you have called the emergency number, complete the steps listed below.
Contact a World Learning staff member and inform the staff member of the situation. World Learning staff will immediately assist you.
Contact Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Global Solutions to inform them of the situation and enlist their support.
Remember to always carry emergency numbers and your BCBS Global Solutions card with you. World Learning will continue to work with you, BCBS Global Solutions, and local emergency services to ensure that you receive proper treatment and care.
Weather-Related Emergency
In case of flight delays, cancellations, or rebooking due to harsh weather, please contact World Learning staff (contact information shared in your arrival email) to notify them of your updated arrival time. Participants who are stranded in transit should speak to an airline representative immediately to adjust your itinerary and then contact World Learning staff to discuss interim arrangements.
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