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

Family Info Sessions around the Bay Area

AMIGOS recently created new youth leadership and service programs in Latin America! Now there are more ways for students ages 13–22 to join for Summer 2020. Our Family Info Sessions are designed to share all these options and guide you to which program is the best fit based on your age, interests, schedule, goals, and language abilities.

These information sessions will cover all of our summer programs, including Discover AMIGOS, Explore AMIGOS, and the Summer Immersion Program.

RSVP here

Thursday, Jan 30
6–7:30 PM
985 3rd St
AMIGOS SF Bay Area Office
Oakland, CA 94607

Sunday, Feb 9th – Two Sunday meeting options!
Downtown San Francisco
11:00 AM–12:30 PM
The Lounge @ Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
701 Mission
San Francisco, CA 94103

Westside San Francisco
4–5:30 PM
1296 La Playa
San Francisco, CA 94122

Tuesday, Feb 11th
7–8 PM
LIVE ONLINE INFO SESSION
Click here for RSVP and join live link.

Sunday, Feb 23rd
2–3 PM
Campbell Community Center, Room E42
1 W Campbell Ave C-33
Campbell, CA 95008

Thursday, Feb 27th
6–7:30 PM
AMIGOS SF Bay Area Office
985 3rd St
Oakland, CA 94607

Sunday, March 1st
4:00–5:30 PM
1951 Eucalyptus Ave
San Carlos, CA 94070

Sunday, March 8th
4-5:30 PM
1296 La Playa
San Francisco, CA 94122

Thursday, March 12th
6–7:30 PM
AMIGOS SF Bay Area Office
985 3rd St
Oakland, CA 94607

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

2020 Projects at a Glance

Costa Rica
Session A: June 17–July 1
Session B: July 8–22
Session C: July 29–August 12

Panama
Session A: June 10–24
Session B: July 1–15
Session C: July 22–August 5

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