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:
With heavy hearts we shared the news today that, for the first time in 55 years, we have made the incredibly difficult decision to suspend AMIGOS 2020 Summer Programs and the Spring Gap Program in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.⠀
⠀
Out of concern for the health and safety of our volunteers, staff, host community members, and everyone in the AMIGOS family, we are acting boldly to limit and slow the spread of this virus.⠀
⠀
Over the coming days and weeks, we will be in touch with more information about next steps for everyone impacted by this decision. We appreciate your patience and hope that you and your families remain safe and healthy. ⠀
⠀
Read an open letter from CEO Sara Nathan at the link in our bio.
On our Gap Program, volunteers intern with a local partner agency to gain work experience and hone skills necessary for the real world.⠀
⠀
AMIGOS matches you with an internship based on your interests and our partner agency needs, ensuring you get the most out of your experience. ⠀
⠀
In Ecuador, some of our internship themes include public health, education & teaching English, women & youth empowerment, and social justice & immigration services.⠀
⠀
Learn more at the link in our bio!
AMIGOS volunteers are getting ready to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey. In order for them to take full advantage of this experience, we are challenging volunteers to disconnect from their cell phones during their time in community!⠀
⠀
Learn more about disconnecting to reconnect on our blog La Carta at the link in the bio.
This week's Amigos are Ashlie and Alison! ⠀
⠀
Ashlie is from is Utah and is headed to Coclé, Panama this summer. Alison is from Beijing, China and will be volunteering in Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica.⠀
⠀
Learn more about Ashlie and Alison, including some of their favorite things and what they're most excited to do this summer with AMIGOS, on our blog!⠀
⠀
(Link in the bio)
AMIGOS believes in intercultural collaboration. We recruit an equal number of students from Latin America to work alongside volunteers from the United States every year. Together with teens and young adults your own age, you will design and lead community-owned projects.
AMIGOS is hiring for two new positions: Director of Partnerships and Chicago Outreach Manager.⠀
⠀
The Director of Partnerships will seek out and build new partnerships for programming, recruitment, and brand visibility. For the Chicago Outreach Manager, AMIGOS is looking for a creative, organized, and enthusiastic self-starter with the capacity to build school, parent, and student relationships to drive AMIGOS program enrollment in Chicago, IL.⠀
⠀
Learn more at the link in our bio!
The AMIGOS Gap Program Early Bird Deadline is this Thursday!⠀
⠀
Apply before March 12th and receive $500 off your application for our semester- or year-long Gap Programs in Ecuador or Uruguay.⠀
⠀
Apply now at the link in our bio!
Peru is calling!⠀
⠀
Apply by March 31st for our 6- or 8-week Peru projects and you can explore the grand beauty of Machu Picchu - don't forget to spot any llamas on the way!⠀
⠀
Ready to experience this country of all countries?
With heavy hearts we shared the news today that, for the first time in 55 years, we have made the incredibly difficult decision to suspend AMIGOS 2020 Summer Programs and the Spring Gap Program in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.⠀
⠀
Out of concern for the health and safety of our volunteers, staff, host community members, and everyone in the AMIGOS family, we are acting boldly to limit and slow the spread of this virus.⠀
⠀
Over the coming days and weeks, we will be in touch with more information about next steps for everyone impacted by this decision. We appreciate your patience and hope that you and your families remain safe and healthy. ⠀
⠀
Read an open letter from CEO Sara Nathan at the link in our bio.
On our Gap Program, volunteers intern with a local partner agency to gain work experience and hone skills necessary for the real world.⠀
⠀
AMIGOS matches you with an internship based on your interests and our partner agency needs, ensuring you get the most out of your experience. ⠀
⠀
In Ecuador, some of our internship themes include public health, education & teaching English, women & youth empowerment, and social justice & immigration services.⠀
⠀
Learn more at the link in our bio!
AMIGOS volunteers are getting ready to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey. In order for them to take full advantage of this experience, we are challenging volunteers to disconnect from their cell phones during their time in community!⠀
⠀
Learn more about disconnecting to reconnect on our blog La Carta at the link in the bio.
This week's Amigos are Ashlie and Alison! ⠀
⠀
Ashlie is from is Utah and is headed to Coclé, Panama this summer. Alison is from Beijing, China and will be volunteering in Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica.⠀
⠀
Learn more about Ashlie and Alison, including some of their favorite things and what they're most excited to do this summer with AMIGOS, on our blog!⠀
⠀
(Link in the bio)
AMIGOS believes in intercultural collaboration. We recruit an equal number of students from Latin America to work alongside volunteers from the United States every year. Together with teens and young adults your own age, you will design and lead community-owned projects.
AMIGOS is hiring for two new positions: Director of Partnerships and Chicago Outreach Manager.⠀
⠀
The Director of Partnerships will seek out and build new partnerships for programming, recruitment, and brand visibility. For the Chicago Outreach Manager, AMIGOS is looking for a creative, organized, and enthusiastic self-starter with the capacity to build school, parent, and student relationships to drive AMIGOS program enrollment in Chicago, IL.⠀
⠀
Learn more at the link in our bio!
The AMIGOS Gap Program Early Bird Deadline is this Thursday!⠀
⠀
Apply before March 12th and receive $500 off your application for our semester- or year-long Gap Programs in Ecuador or Uruguay.⠀
⠀
Apply now at the link in our bio!
Peru is calling!⠀
⠀
Apply by March 31st for our 6- or 8-week Peru projects and you can explore the grand beauty of Machu Picchu - don't forget to spot any llamas on the way!⠀
⠀
Ready to experience this country of all countries?
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