What is the first thing that comes into your mind when you think about Nicaragua?  Throughout the years, the media has put a spotlight on this country’s challenges. But underneath this coverage, there is a lively nation bursting in color with stunning views, friendly locals, and rich culture and folklore running through every corner of … Read More

Melanie went to Nicaragua in the summer of 2011. She joined AMIGOS through our partner Rice University as a Loewenstern Fellow. We caught up with her to learn more about her trip and what she learned. What was your project? My project partnered with CARE in the Department of Matagalpa, Nicaragua. Through this partnership, I … Read More

My life is divided into two phases: before AMIGOS and after AMIGOS. When I signed up for the program, I had no idea how dramatically it would impact the course of my life. My sister had participated, my mom was encouraging me to volunteer, and I figured that it would look pretty good on my … Read More

Start to a Gap Year in Nicaragua Thank you to Nicaragua gap participants Brenna and Nadia for writing about the beginning of their gap year in Leon!     The first and most noticeable difference between my home and León are the sounds. The city wakes up early in the morning and makes itself known … Read More

Did you know that AMIGOS offers professional development for educators? In July 2017,  fifteen educators from the Byram Hills School District from Armonk, New York spanning numerous disciplines, came together with AMIGOS staff in Nicaragua to deepen their understanding of AMIGOS programs, learn about the AMIGOS approach to cultural competency, youth leadership, and community development. … Read More

Discover AMIGOS is a two-week facilitator-led group trip for students ages 13-15. Participants get an introduction to global leadership by learning about Nicaraguan culture, getting hands-on conservation experience at a sea turtle estuary, spending a weekend with a host family, and collaborating on a community project. This summer’s participants sent updates from the field, which … Read More

Gap Year in Nicaragua: Mateo’s Experience and Advice For my gap year in Nicaragua I lived in Leon, participating as a volunteer for Amigos de Las Americas. I’ve spent the last months of my life as a volunteer for an NGO that provides after and before school care to children who come from underprivileged backgrounds. I’ve been … Read More

Gap Year in Nicaragua: An Interview with Sophie Why did you decide to do a gap year in Nicaragua with AMIGOS? I decided to participate in the AMIGOS gap year program because I believe in its vision “where each young person becomes a life-long catalyst for social change.” I was also really eager to be living with a host family and … Read More

Laying the foundation for an AMIGOS summer Nicol (Project Director) and I (Jordan, Assistant Project Director) have been busy, busy, busy setting up the Matagalpa project. The to-do lists sprawl across the wall of project house and all the way on to “the cloud.” I believe every AMIGOS summer is at first punctuated by these … Read More

How did you choose a Gap Year with AMIGOS? Tufts University has a partnership with AMIGOS, and they encouraged me to look into the gap year program. I was impressed with the program structure, which allows an independent lifestyle with added guidance to supplement learning about yourself, service abroad, and Nicaragua.   I wanted to learn Spanish in a cross-cultural … Read More