How to Apply
Volunteer abroad and AMIGOS with this amazing opportunity to take your first dive into Latin America! This two-week project has key AMIGOS program components such as volunteering, training, excursions, reflections, and workshops, and is guided by AMIGOS staff. Every day is an authentic, engaging adventure with hands-on service projects, educational talks, and games with local children.
With AMIGOS, you will learn about yourself and the world by living in it.
READY TO START YOUR APPLICATION?
1. Click here to start your application.
2. Complete your application.
3. An AMIGOS representative will contact you with next steps
About
Discover AMIGOS is a two-week program created as an Introduction to Global Citizenship. With 6 project dates in Costa Rica and Panama, it is a terrific way to explore a new country and challenge yourself by being an active participant in protecting biodiversity and learning about new communities in Latin America. This program is very accessible as Spanish is not required (though some ability can be helpful) and friends are encouraged to go together.
You will work on supporting local wildlife conservation efforts during the first week and supporting local schools and community service projects while living with a host family during the second week. These experiences help to create strong friendships and connections with other volunteers, our staff and host communities, give you the opportunity to develop Spanish skills, and build your confidence.
“I saw such a change in my son after he came home from Panama. He seemed taller and more confident and ready to go into the world less of a child and more of an adult. AMIGOS made him more responsible and independent and those changes have stayed with him.” —John, Parent, Discover AMIGOS 2018
“It was amazing. I really liked how independent it was. We would have supervision during our project but at the end of the day we could go have fun with our peers and socialize and play games and card games with the locals and our host family. It was really fun to get to know all kinds of people.” —Annabelle, Volunteer, Discover AMIGOS 2018
“My daughter had never done anything like this before but I was surprised by how much she had changed. It was palpable. It was such a leap for her to pull on her own internal resources and now she keeps saying spontaneously, ‘I feel so confident’.” —Jennifer, Parent, Discover AMIGOS 2018
Fees and Funding
AMIGOS program fees include dedicated travel support, comprehensive training, all food and housing, in-country travel and excursions, and access to our 24-hour On-Call Safety Team. As a nonprofit organization, your fees also support community development projects and leadership training for local youth in communities across Latin America.
Program Fees
Discover AMIGOS Panama — $3,395
Discover AMIGOS Costa Rica — $3,695
Flight costs are not included and will be billed separately. For more information about flights and travel, click here.
Payment plans and financial assistance are available. Learn more here.
What’s Included?
Before you leave
Your fee includes the costs of all pre-departure training, onboarding, and travel support.
Once you land
All on-site training and orientation, food, lodging and transportation costs, full-time program staff, 24-hour On-Call Safety Team, global travel medical insurance, and program excursions are included.
Post-program
You’ll receive credit for service hours, as well as access to the AMIGOS alumni network, leadership opportunities, and beyond!
Financial Assistance & Fundraising
Financial Assistance
We provide need-based financial assistance on a rolling basis for our programs. To apply, complete your application and indicate that you would like to be considered for financial assistance. Be sure to include your family financial information in the section that asks for it as well as complete the financial assistance application. Program applicants must pay the $50 application fee and $425 deposit to complete your application. This is refundable if requested within 30 days of payment. If you have questions, please contact our Admissions Team at [email protected].
Fundraising
Many volunteers choose to fundraise to offset their program fee. Once you’re accepted into an AMIGOS program, we’ll set you up with an online fundraising platform, give you tips and advice, and apply any donations you receive to your program fee. Volunteers typically raise an average of $2,000.
Staff & Events
No events are currently scheduled. Check back later!
Staff
In the Bay Area, we have 2 full time AMIGOS staff members dedicated to family and school outreach for Discover AMIGOS.
Krista Boscoe – Bay Area Director
(supports East Bay, Marin, and San Francisco families)
[email protected]
Click here to schedule a call with Krista
Cynthia Diaz – South Bay Outreach Manager
(supports Silicon Valley, San Jose, and Peninsula families)
[email protected]
Click here to schedule a call with Cynthia
Can't make it to an info session?
Watch the video below and reach out if you have any questions!
MEDIA
Read blog posts from:
Check out photos on our project Instagrams:
Considering a gap year in 2020?⠀
⠀
Join us for an online info session tonight, 7/7 at 7 PM CST to find out more about our new virtual gap experience in partnership with Tufts University's Tisch College of Civic Life: the Civic Action Gap Semester.⠀
⠀
Register here to join us tonight at the link in the bio!
We are proud to announce that we are partnering with Tufts University's Tisch College of Civic Life to create a new virtual gap experience for high school graduates: the Civic Action Gap Semester.⠀
⠀
The Civic Action Gap Semester is an opportunity for students to explore social change across the Americas, make an impact through a civic volunteership, engage with their community, and earn college credit. Open to all students regardless of university affiliation or college plans, participants can join virtually from anywhere in the world!⠀
⠀
Learn more at the link in our bio.
All Black people deserve to be heard and seen. The current movement for equal rights and protection of black people is a fight for all black people – including those who identify as LGBTQIA.⠀
⠀
Standing up for Black rights means standing up for gay rights, and vice versa.⠀
⠀
AMIGOS stands with everyone in the fight against racism and injustice. We hear you. We are with you.⠀
⠀
#blacktranslivesmatter #nojusticenopeace #equality #blackqueerlivesmatter
Students in our virtual Community Impact Project on Session A are partaking in Language Cafes!⠀
⠀
In these fun meetups, volunteers gather virtually with their cohort and enjoy casual, guided conversations about different topics including their favorite jokes, local culture, and more.
Be a Program Mentor for our Virtual Community Impact Project!⠀
⠀
The Program Mentor is responsible for supporting the execution of the Community Impact Project for a single cohort containing approximately 12 students from the U.S. and Latin America. They are directly accountable supervision and mentorship of 3-4 students.⠀
⠀
This is a part-time internship for a maximum of 24 hours/week. Learn more on our website!
Today and every year moving forward, AMIGOS will be observing Juneteenth and encouraging our team to spend time in reflection, education, and action during this time.⠀
⠀
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19th, 1865- over two years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation- Major General Gordon Grander landed in Galveston, Texas with the news that the war had ended and enslaved peoples were now free.⠀
⠀
We encourage everyone to take some time to reflect, learn, and take action today in honor of Juneteenth.⠀
⠀
#juneteenth #blm #juneteenth2020
To realize the AMIGOS vision and mission, we believe in the power of every voice and the wisdom of diverse voices. AMIGOS embraces universal diversity, including: race, nationality, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, age, gender, and sexual orientation.⠀
⠀
Happy Pride Month, from our family to yours ❤⠀
⠀
#pride2020 #pridemonth #inclusivity #diversity
Want to learn more about how you can join a movement of global connection and local action this summer? Log on and join our AMIGOS team for an online info session about the Community Impact Project tonight at 7:00 PM CST!⠀
⠀
Please RSVP at the link in the bio if you plan to attend!⠀
⠀
#volunteering #covid19 #pandemic #volunteer #change #activism #crosscultural #somosamigos #dogood #philanthropy #socialgood #onlinevolunteer #digitalvolunteer #movement
Considering a gap year in 2020?⠀
⠀
Join us for an online info session tonight, 7/7 at 7 PM CST to find out more about our new virtual gap experience in partnership with Tufts University's Tisch College of Civic Life: the Civic Action Gap Semester.⠀
⠀
Register here to join us tonight at the link in the bio!
We are proud to announce that we are partnering with Tufts University's Tisch College of Civic Life to create a new virtual gap experience for high school graduates: the Civic Action Gap Semester.⠀
⠀
The Civic Action Gap Semester is an opportunity for students to explore social change across the Americas, make an impact through a civic volunteership, engage with their community, and earn college credit. Open to all students regardless of university affiliation or college plans, participants can join virtually from anywhere in the world!⠀
⠀
Learn more at the link in our bio.
All Black people deserve to be heard and seen. The current movement for equal rights and protection of black people is a fight for all black people – including those who identify as LGBTQIA.⠀
⠀
Standing up for Black rights means standing up for gay rights, and vice versa.⠀
⠀
AMIGOS stands with everyone in the fight against racism and injustice. We hear you. We are with you.⠀
⠀
#blacktranslivesmatter #nojusticenopeace #equality #blackqueerlivesmatter
Students in our virtual Community Impact Project on Session A are partaking in Language Cafes!⠀
⠀
In these fun meetups, volunteers gather virtually with their cohort and enjoy casual, guided conversations about different topics including their favorite jokes, local culture, and more.
Be a Program Mentor for our Virtual Community Impact Project!⠀
⠀
The Program Mentor is responsible for supporting the execution of the Community Impact Project for a single cohort containing approximately 12 students from the U.S. and Latin America. They are directly accountable supervision and mentorship of 3-4 students.⠀
⠀
This is a part-time internship for a maximum of 24 hours/week. Learn more on our website!
Today and every year moving forward, AMIGOS will be observing Juneteenth and encouraging our team to spend time in reflection, education, and action during this time.⠀
⠀
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19th, 1865- over two years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation- Major General Gordon Grander landed in Galveston, Texas with the news that the war had ended and enslaved peoples were now free.⠀
⠀
We encourage everyone to take some time to reflect, learn, and take action today in honor of Juneteenth.⠀
⠀
#juneteenth #blm #juneteenth2020
To realize the AMIGOS vision and mission, we believe in the power of every voice and the wisdom of diverse voices. AMIGOS embraces universal diversity, including: race, nationality, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, age, gender, and sexual orientation.⠀
⠀
Happy Pride Month, from our family to yours ❤⠀
⠀
#pride2020 #pridemonth #inclusivity #diversity
Want to learn more about how you can join a movement of global connection and local action this summer? Log on and join our AMIGOS team for an online info session about the Community Impact Project tonight at 7:00 PM CST!⠀
⠀
Please RSVP at the link in the bio if you plan to attend!⠀
⠀
#volunteering #covid19 #pandemic #volunteer #change #activism #crosscultural #somosamigos #dogood #philanthropy #socialgood #onlinevolunteer #digitalvolunteer #movement
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