Straight, easily confirmed facts about Kalu Yala:
So Why Is There Negative Stuff Online?
In 2016, VICE came to Kalu Yala and filmed a docu-series called “Jungletown.”
Almost every negative post is from someone who has never been to Kalu Yala and is writing about the tv show.
The $3 billion company told us our environmental mission was just what they wanted to support. What they really wanted was a free location with 100 fascinating characters to choose from... who they didn't have to pay to be filmed. They filmed 1,400 hours of footage. Then they cut all that footage down to 9 hours of television.
Instead of a documentary we got a reality show that was totally disconnected from reality.
What Students Say
See more student reviews at GoAbroad.com, GoOverseas.com, and Glassdoor.com
“This experience is far superior to a typical study abroad because it allows the individual to control their own education. I gained unbelievable skills crucial for my development in business and was able to network with great people. Overall, this experience is enriching because of the people, the places, and the work we were doing in sustainability. I believe it is more rewarding than the typical study abroad in Europe.”

Business & Entrepreneurship Student
The best thing that Kalu Yala has done for me is giving me the time and space to be around people and ideas that have never made it into my life before. I have never been to a place that empowers young people like Kalu Yala. I'm so inspired everyday to see what all the young people coming through can do when you simply show them that you believe in their ideas and that they have your support. The ripple effect of this and what is happening here is radical and revolutionary. This is a place where people really try to embody the change that they want to see in the world.

Public Health and Wellness Student
What Parents Say
Are you a parent? Check out our Parents Guide to Kalu Yala.

"My daughter’s time at Kalu Yala introduced her to the knowledge, contacts, and confidence she needed to start a business in Panama. Though she left Kalu Yala after her semester, both the institute and Jimmy continued to be a resource for her, and have treated her as family. As a parent, it’s comforting to know my daughter has a growing community of passionate and ambitious people around the world she can rely on."
-Jeanie Stankovitch | Gainesville, Florida

"John having to create a project from scratch and follow it through to completion had the impact of teaching him what the real world was like while giving him the support of a school."
-Lee Cook | Atlanta, Georgia

"Mary Ann is now living her dream of working in sales in the Napa Valley where she gets to be part of the agriculture business using her natural networking skills."
-Dot Turrentine | Elkin, North Carolina
Take a Peek Inside Our World...
See Kalu Yala Through the Lens of Spring '18 Student Ruby Foster
Building a New World in the Panamanian Jungle
What Took You So Long?
Inside the Kalu Yala Institute
Kalu Yala Staff
Have questions about Kalu Yala?
We are more than happy to chat about anything that might be on your mind. Reach out to our student and alumni-run team at admissions@kaluyala.com.