Author: Lauren Kelley

Claire spent a summer in Panama with Amigos de las Américas and shared the highlights of her experience with us below.   word of mouth Amigos de las Américas was a program that I heard about through my mom’s co-worker’s daughter. She did the program and came back with amazing stories and a very inspiring … Read More

AMIGOS organizes immersion programs in Latin America for high school and college students seeking powerful life experiences. This sets you on the path to be a leader in your career and in the global community. With over 50 years of experience, there are over 28,000 incredible AMIGOS alumni across the world, and one of those … Read More

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF AUSTIN AMIGOS is excited to announce a new partnership with the World Affairs Council of Austin. Their programs and events, which focus on student involvement in cross cultural communication and understanding, are great opportunities to engage with the global community at a local level. Through events and speakers, students learn about … Read More

ANNOUNCING 2016 PHOTO, VIDEO, AND ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS Over 500 participants spent this summer in the field immersed in a new culture and developing as young leaders. They built relationships with their host families, created and implemented a wide range of projects, and had a truly transformative experience. We asked for photos, videos, and essays that … Read More

Reflections from the Field AMIGOS 2016 Essay Contest Winner My parents thought I was crazy when I told them about my interest in spending part of my summer in the Dominican Republic. Not only had I never spent more than a week away from my parents, but I had never traveled abroad before. Let’s just … Read More

Reflections from the Field Putting Process Into Practice After five weeks on route in four different communities, I would like to humbly suggest an addendum to the age old saying, practice makes perfect. Here in Azuero I have learned that process can make perfect, too. As an organization, AMIGOS places great emphasis on the process … Read More

Explore Latin America through Participant Videos High School and College students have been posting videos from their experiences in Latin America. You can explore the local communities, the unique foods, the welcoming host families, and all of the various projects that were completed through the videos below. AMIGOS offers summer programs in several different countries, and they … Read More

2016 Photo, Video, and Essay Contest We are excited to announce this year’s contest, where prizes are $100 and some AMIGOS swag! Summer 2016 Staff and Participants are invited to submit content that exemplify the AMIGOS experience. We are looking for amazing action, cultural and scenic photos that tell the story of AMIGOS; a video … Read More

AMIGOS Then and Now… As a volunteer in 1990 just after AMIGOS celebrated its 25th anniversary, I lived in a mud brick house with no electricity and no running water. I shared my “bedroom” with a half dozen or so cuyes who actually lived there before me. My community comprised of eight homes and I … Read More

The Unseen Gifts from Community Development I trembled with the white truck, its wheels struggling against the loose rocks on the dirt road. I trembled and devoured the sweet semita bread laced with tears – for comfort, to cling to the essence of Carmelina through her stone-oven magic just a moment longer. In Nicaragua, I … Read More