Nathaniel Sandoval ’21, BA in political science and a minor in business, graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences and began the process to become a Fulbright Scholar. After putting in the work to perfect his application, he began his Fulbright program earlier this year in Panama as an English teaching assistant.  

What is the duration of your stay?
My stay will last from January 19th until December 24th, 2024. However, my Fulbright program concludes on Friday, November 22nd, 2024. Since my apartment lease in Panama expires on December 24th, I want to take full advantage of my time here.

Why did you choose Panama?
I chose Panama because of its cultural diversity and entrepreneurial spirit. Initially, I applied to The Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship program in Colombia in 2021 but I was denied. I used my experience from the first application to learn what I needed to improve on the second time around. I contacted Fulbright alumni and worked directly with my fellowship advisor Kathleen Maher to assist me with my application for Panama. I began the application when the cycle opened in April of 2022. It was a rigorous process that involved multiple stages, including the written application, the two essays, letters of recommendation and a review by two selection committees. One by the Institute of International Education and the other by the U.S. Embassy in Panama. It paid off because I became a semi-finalist in January 2023. Then, I received finalist status in April 2023. From there, I prepared for my experience in Panama, which had begun on January 19th, 2024.

What does your day-to-day life look like?
My day-to-day work is as an English teaching assistant, Monday through Thursday, at my host institution known as Specialized Superior Technical Institute. On Fridays, I plan my upcoming weeks and assess some activities and tasks I participated in that week. As for the weekends, this is where I enjoy the lifestyle of being a Dominican American man living in Panama. This consists of going out, meeting people around Panama City, and participating in various events, seminars, and fairs. There is also a community engagement project component to my Fulbright experience. For this aspect, I work with various English Teaching organizations to support their students and other universities and colleges in Panama City. I’ve also had the chance to travel to a few South American countries during my Fulbright experience to take full advantage of how close I am to some of these countries.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced?
There have been three major challenges that I’ve faced so far, which are leaving the New England weather to adapt to Panama’s tropical hot weather, being away from friends and family whom I’ve grown so close to, and lastly, living in a country I’ve never been to and had no prior knowledge able until my Fulbright application process. Experiencing some of these challenges and many others has given me a reality check regarding my life in Rhode Island and how I had to learn how to build a new life in Panama. As I’m in the final months of my time in Panama, I have already grown accustomed to the country, and now there will be a new challenge that I will need to face: reacclimatizing to a place that I have called home for my entire life. Rhode Island.

What are some of the best memories you’ve made?
Some of the best memories I’ve had consisted of spending time traveling throughout Panama and beyond. This has been visiting different parts of the capital city and traveling to other provinces of Panama. I visited some of the most beautiful beaches and islands and participated in Panama’s most cultural events, such as carnival holidays. Attending networking and social events while living in Panama City has helped me build a network of young and seasoned professionals. I have also used my time living in Panama as a hub for visiting various countries in South America. I’ve vacationed in Colombia and Peru, which were both incredible. The Fulbright Commission in Uruguay also hosted me and various English Teaching Assistants throughout South and Central America for a week-long seminar. My experience with this seminar focused on how to make the most out of the second half of my Fulbright Program.

How have you immersed yourself in the culture?
I have immersed myself in the culture through my interactions with the people of Panama, celebrating Panamanian holidays, and meeting locals from various parts of the country. I have also taken time to learn from my students since they reside in different parts of Panama and see what their lives look like outside of the classroom.

Biggest culture shock?
When I arrived in Panama, my Spanish was still in the works. I was at the low intermediate level (B1). While working with the professors and students at my host institution, I learned that I had an accent. I was told it sounded like I was from the United States and Dominican Republic. Panamanians don’t have a distinctive accent compared to other Latin American countries I have spoken with. This is from what I have heard when hearing them speak. However, this is my personal option from listening to my students and professors speak in Spanish.

How do you plan on using what you’ve learned after the program is over?
After this program, I plan to use what I have learned by applying the personal and professional development I gained in Panama. My improved Spanish capabilities will be beneficial once I return to Rhode Island. The personal development of living independently and navigating in a country I’ve never been to. The professional development has been critical to future opportunities that I plan to take advantage of upon my return to the U.S. much of what I experience will make for greater conversations when speaking with family and friends. I also can leverage these experiences in whatever career I choose to pursue once I return. Once my alumni status is set and stone, I plan to join the Fulbright Association where I can stay connected with other alumni and receive updates on everything Fulbright.

How will you share the knowledge you’ve gained in Panama with the US, and how will it benefit others?
I am continuing my journey with the US Department of State programs in the US and internationally. I plan to apply for a few fellowships and exchange programs before I depart from Panama. If all goes well, I will be able to take everything I experienced in Panama and apply it to much of what I am applying for. There are those in my network who are interested in the Fulbright program and I plan to share all my experiences and knowledge with them so they can apply and have a similar if not greater experience during their Fulbrights.

What’s next?
Once I complete my Fulbright experience in Panama, I will return to Providence, Rhode Island, and continue my involvement as an Exchange Alumni. There are a few other programs that I’ve been looking into to continue gaining experience in the international space. I also plan to look for full-time employment in Rhode Island but I have also considered what other options are available outside of New England. Overall, I look forward to picking up where I left off and coming back to Rhode Island to see all my friends and family with a new perspective towards life after embarking on such an incredible journey in Panama.