Programs and Events

Embassy Employee Shadow Day

May 25, 2006

The U.S. Embassy in Panama opened its doors to 28 Panamanian high school students and eight teachers on May 25, 2006, for an employee shadowing day. An initiative of Ambassador William Eaton and was enthusiastically embraced by locally employed and American employees alike.

The guest “shadow” students came from local high schools Instituto Rubiano, Instituto Tomas A. Edison, Instituto Fermin Naudeau, Escuela Profesional Isabel Herrera Obaldia and Colegio Bilingue Las Cumbres.

The visitors were briefed by POL, GSO, ECON, PAS, and Law Enforcement Sections followed by a demo on Fire Extinguishing Techniques led by GSO.

After the demo, students eagerly joined their Embassy hosts to “shadow” them for the morning hours breaking away to the following: Ambassador and DCM, NAS, ECON, PAS, B&F, COMM, Open Source Center, Office of Defense Cooperation, and GSO (Housing, Shipping, Procurement, Maintenance, and Motor Pool.)

The teachers, who came from the five different schools, were treated to a tour through the various Embassy sections. They expressed great interest in the programs they learned about during their visit.

At noon all 35 visitors met to enjoy lunch with Ambassador Eaton. They had the opportunity to discuss their impressions of the day and were eager to return to school to share with their peers about the “amazing experience,” as described by Liriola de la Torre, 10th grader from Instituto Fermin Naudeau.

Some of the students described with awe the realization of the security of the Canal, while others witnessed the hectic routine of the Housing Section. Yuneirys de Leon from Escuela Isabel H. Obaldia had the opportunity to attend a conference at a local hotel with her host Embassy Employee.

Yarielis Bethancourt, 12th grader from Instituto Rubiano, shared her plans to study to be a Maritime Engineer after high school graduation. Adding the she did not realize that the U.S. Embassy did so many projects of goodwill for Panamanians until her opportunity to “shadow” People-to-People Coordinator, Martina Hand.

The program received press attention and will generate articles in several newspapers.

The visitors expressed sincere appreciation for the opportunity and encouraged Ambassador Eaton to offer it to other schools. They went home with flag pins, certificates of participation and lifetime memories of their visit to the U.S. Embassy and their luncheon with the U.S. Ambassador.