August 2019: A New Chapter Begins – Arriving in Panama

After an intense summer filled with travel across Europe, reunions with loved ones, and sentimental farewells, I landed in Panama City to take on my new role as Emergency Rapid Response Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Region) with DG ECHO. This marked the beginning of a completely new adventure—a new region, a new professional challenge, and a new home.

Settling into Life in Panama City

The first weeks in Panama were a whirlwind of activity. I had to familiarise myself with the city, meet new colleagues, understand the humanitarian landscape of the region, and most importantly, find a place to live. Choosing the right apartment and creating a comfortable space was a priority—it needed to be a place where I could relax after intense deployments and feel at home despite being far away from Nowy Sącz, Bangkok, and Lisbon.

Panama City itself was a fascinating mix of contrasts—modern skyscrapers towering over colonial districts, a blend of Caribbean, Latin American, and international cultures, and an unmistakable energy of a regional hub. The Panama Canal, one of the most significant engineering feats in history, was always in the background, serving as a reminder of the country’s global importance.

New Challenges, New Goals

A major part of settling in was also diving into my new responsibilities. The LAC region has some of the most complex humanitarian challenges in the world—from hurricanes, earthquakes, and droughts to migration crises and political instability. It was clear from the start that my work would be dynamic and demanding.

At the same time, I knew that effective communication in Spanish would be crucial for my success in the region. While I had already studied Spanish before and had immersion experiences in Spain and Latin America, I committed myself to further improving my fluency. Upgrading my Spanish skills became an essential part of my transition, allowing me to communicate more effectively with colleagues, partners, and local communities.

Embracing the Adventure

Despite the initial challenges of adjusting to a new culture and work environment, I quickly felt excited and motivated for this next chapter. Panama was proving to be a vibrant, diverse, and welcoming place, and I was ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges ahead. With a new home, a new professional role, and a new language to master, my journey in Latin America and the Caribbean had officially begun.

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