Study abroad builds leadership, confidence for OHIO student in Panama

Student with glasses in front of waterfall with backpack

The airport looked nothing like home. After working an overnight shift at a nursing home and boarding a three-hour flight on almost no sleep, student Caleb Buck stepped into Panama City for the first time, wide awake in spite of exhaustion.

“It was culture shock,” he said. “Even the airport looked totally different than what we have in the U.S. It was overwhelming, but in a good way.”

That moment marked the start of a week that would change the way Buck saw the world and his future in social work. Originally bound for Costa Rica, Buck had pivoted when that program was canceled, traveling instead with a group of education majors to Panama on an ��ý faculty-led study abroad trip. He was the only social work student in the cohort, but within days he found himself immersed in classrooms, culture and unexpected connections.

“I always thought working with children wasn’t for me, but after I went on this trip I realized I really have a big passion for working with children,” Buck said. “Everything at the school we visited was centered around the kids, and it was just so amazing to see.”

By the end of the trip, his peers had begun looking to him for perspective.

“Maybe it was because I was the only social work major and had a different lens,” he said. “Everyone else was focused on lesson plans, and I was looking at inclusion strategies for children with disabilities or kids who might need accommodations. I didn’t really feel like I was being a leader, but I guess I was without even realizing it.”

Dr. Teri Peasley, associate professor of instruction at OHIO Zanesville, watched that transformation unfold.

“By the third day, I had already figured out that he’s a natural teacher,” she said. “It pairs very well with social work. Caleb is interested in advocacy and policy work, but I could also see him thriving as a school social worker, where he could really support students, teachers, and families.”

OHIO students are shown standing together at the Panama Canal

In just a week, Buck and his classmates visited the Panama Canal, hiked through the jungle, explored historic neighborhoods of Panama City, and spent time in El Valle, a town built inside the crater of an extinct volcano. They rode dugout canoes to reach an indigenous village, where Buck said he began to see the world through a wider lens.

“It was just so eye-opening to see a totally different way of life,” he said. “But also when we got out there, you could still just sit there and have a conversation with them and laugh with them. That was really eye-opening too. It was just the whole experience, breaking down a lot of barriers for me and opening up my world.”

One of his most powerful memories came from a school in Panama City. The moment he saw how deeply teachers cared for their students, Buck realized that social work could take him places he had not considered before.

“Everything was centered around the children, and it was just so beautiful to see,” he said. “It really shifted how I think about what I want to do.”

The learning went beyond academics. Buck entered the trip knowing only a handful of participants but left with friendships he says will endure.

“At first I didn’t really know most of the people there, but it was really cool to see how quickly we all became best friends,” he said. “By the end of the week we all just felt like one big happy family. Those bonds formed so fast, and they are something I’ll carry with me.”

Caleb Buck and two other OHIO students wear straw hats at an outdoor festival

Peasley said that kind of connection is one of the most valuable outcomes of study abroad.

“When students are immersed in an environment together, they grow not only in knowledge but also in confidence and empathy,” she said. “That’s what I saw in Caleb.”

Buck’s journey was made possible by the , a prestigious award of the U.S. Department of State. The program supports Pell Grant eligible students, with nearly 3,000 scholarships awarded annually to expand access to study and internships abroad. Since its inception in 2001, the Gilman has sought to ensure that students can gain international experience, with almost 60 percent of recipients coming from small towns and rural communities.

“I just asked Dr. Vensil, my social work professor, what scholarship opportunities there are, and she directed me towards the Gilman,” Buck said. “When Costa Rica was canceled, I already had the scholarship money, so the school didn’t want me to lose it. That is how I got to go to Panama instead.”

Peasley noted that Gilman is not the only option for students.

“There is a lot of funding available through the University to support study abroad opportunities,” she said. “From experiential learning grants to travel grants, even help covering the cost of a first-time passport, there are always some ways to reduce the expense. Money is often the first concern students have, but it shouldn’t be a reason to dismiss the opportunity.”

For Buck, the Gilman Scholarship didn’t just cover costs. It gave him the space to grow, discover new passions, and consider new career paths. One unique benefit of the scholarship is that recipients receive 12 months of noncompetitive eligibility for federal employment, giving them a pathway into public service roles.

“Public service is something I’ve considered,” he said. “I couldn’t say for sure yet, but I definitely think it could be a good path.”

Peasley added that fear can be just as significant a barrier as cost, especially for regional campus students who may have never traveled far from home.

“For many of our students, the idea of traveling outside their county, much less outside the country, is intimidating,” she said. “But faculty leaders are seasoned travelers, and once students take that first step, the reassurance is there. Opportunities like this are not out of reach.”

Buck agrees. “You’ve got to do it. You have to do it,” he said. “Once you do, you’ll instantly realize how invaluable it is to expand your worldview. It shifted my thinking so much, just that one week down there. I learned about adapting quickly, communicating when you don’t share a language, and being resilient. For social workers, those are essential skills.”

Peasley hopes other students follow his example. “They help us broaden our perspectives and understand how people live around the world,” she said. “That is the kind of education that changes lives.”

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