| COMING TO PANAMA CITY |
| Travel reservations need to be made early since Panama City/Bay County Regional airport is not an International Airport. Therefore, there are no straight flights coming into Panama City from overseas. You need to arrive a couple of weeks before the semester starts. The pressure and the stress of preparing forms, applications, leaving family and friends behind, and the journey usually cause an international student to arrive in the United States exhausted. It is very difficult to adjust to a new country when you are tired. Therefore, you should allow yourself some time to rest. |
| ARRIVAL IN PANAMA CITY |
| The first few weeks in Panama City will probably be your most expensive, unless you have made other arrangements. Below is a list of estimated expenses you may incur: |
| Hotel (6 nights at $85) |
$510 |
| Meals (7 days at $30) |
$210 |
| Security Deposit |
$300 |
| Electric Deposit |
$100 |
| Water Deposit |
$50 |
| Gas Deposit |
$50 |
| Cell phone recommended |
*_ |
| Total |
$1220* |
|
Off campus housing: |
| |
Rent |
$600 |
| |
Electric |
$100 |
| |
Gas |
$50 |
| |
Food/misc. |
$250 |
| Total per month |
$1000 |
| BANKING |
| After you have arrived in Panama City, it will be necessary for you to open an account at a local bank. To do so you will need to show proper identification, such as a passport or international driver's license. If you are planning to do a wire transfer of funds from a bank in your country to a bank in Panama City you need to remember the following: |
- Needs to be wired 2 weeks prior to your arrival.
- Needs to be in U.S. currency.
- Inform bank in Panama City of your arrival date.
|
| WORK |
| Full time students are allowed to work 20 hours per week on campus through our work assistant program with prior written permission. You should apply for a Social Security number at the Panama City Social Security Office only if authorized to work. |
| CLIMATE |
| Panama City has a semi-tropical climate, with hot and humid summers and cool and rainy winters. During a normal winter, temperatures vary from 35 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. A winter coat is necessary. |
| HEALTH INSURANCE |
| All International Students enrolled at GCSC are required to have health insurance. Proof of coverage must be provided each semester. |
| MEDICAL CARE |
Bay Medical Center
615 N Bonita Ave
(850) 769-1511
Gulf Coast Medical Center
449 W 23rd St.
(850) 769-8341 |
