The National Chapter is a part of an extensive international network of professional staff, volunteers, educators, and alumni who support AMIGOS volunteers and their families. More than 4,000 volunteers have participated with AMIGOS through the National Chapter since its inception in 1971.
The National Chapter is a great option if you do not live near a local chapter or have a schedule that conflicts with local, in-person activities. Anyone can join the National Chapter, regardless of where they live.
The National Chapter is open to students interested in our:
You’ll apply to the National Chapter, complete pre-departure training, and may fundraise for your trip individually. National Chapter training is customized for each program and will include online webinars as well as in-person training depending on each program’s requirements.
If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, click here to connect with your local Discover AMIGOS community!
Let us help you get ready for your AMIGOS adventure!
Your online application will take approximately 30–40 minutes and includes questions to get to know you better, as well as your choice of project location and country.
Discover AMIGOS, Explore AMIGOS, and Summer Immersion Programs
Summer 2020 Programs have been suspended due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Click here to read an open letter from our President & CEO about this decision.
Gap Program
The deadline for programs starting in fall 2020 is July 1, 2020.
For our Gap Program, the $50 application fee and $425 deposit will be paid after your interview. The fee for a semester-long Gap Program is $12,950 (Ecuador) or $13,450 (Uruguay) and the full year program is $24,650 (Ecuador) or $26,950 (Uruguay).
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. You will be notified within 2 weeks if you have received an award. Summer Immersion 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 Admissions Manager Meghan Ford 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.
As a volunteer through the National Chapter, your training happens in two parts. First, you will go through a pre-departure online training to familiarize yourself with the program. The second part of your training happens either in Houston, Texas or in-country.
Training is a chance to dive into the core values of AMIGOS and our corresponding curriculum. We cover topics ranging from community development, cultural adjustment, and resource mobilization. You’ll get to practice your Spanish, begin to develop your leadership skills, and make new friends from all over the U.S.!
The Project Information Packet (PIP) is released in two parts in the spring and will have specific information about your country, partner organizations, and packing instructions. Your Project Staff Team will also release a pre-recorded webinar going over the PIP and then host a live question and answer session. Further instructions and scheduling of these webinars will be shared in the spring.
Program-Specific Information
Summer Immersion Program
AMIGOS staff will support each volunteer with online training in health and safety, cultural understanding, what to expect in country, packing instructions, and parent-specific information.
Scheduling Note: All National Chapter volunteers on the Summer Immersion Program will have a 4 day in-person intensive training with other National Chapter volunteers immediately before the in-country briefing and program start date. This training will expand your travel dates and change your program start date. Please scroll down to see these additional dates of training per project.
Explore AMIGOS Program
AMIGOS staff will support each volunteer with online training in health and safety, cultural understanding, what to expect in country, packing instructions, and parent-specific information.
Once you arrive in-country, staff will lead additional trainings to ensure volunteers make the most of their time abroad.
Discover AMIGOS Program
AMIGOS staff will support each volunteer with online training in health and safety, cultural understanding, what to expect in country, packing instructions, and parent-specific information.
For Discover AMIGOS volunteers in the San Francisco Bay Area, there will be an additional optional in-person family training in May to review packing and preparation as well as answer any pre-departure questions. Details will be emailed to all local families.
Gap Program
AMIGOS staff will support each volunteer with online training in health and safety, cultural understanding, what to expect in country, packing instructions, and parent-specific information. In-person training will be begin in country upon arrival and will be ongoing throughout.
Training dates and locations for 2020 are:
Barahona, Dominican Republic Session A
June 5–9, 2020 – Dominican Republic
Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica Session A
Azuero, Panama
Cuenca, Ecuador
June 12–16, 2020 – Houston, Texas
Palmares, Costa Rica
Chimborazo, Ecuador
Cuzco, Peru
June 19–23, 2020 – Houston, Texas
Santa Elena, Ecuador
Coclé, Panama
June 26–30, 2020 – Houston, Texas
Barahona, Dominican Republic Session B
July 10–14, 2020 – Houston, Texas
Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica Session B
July 17–21, 2020 – Costa Rica
Discover AMIGOS
Training modules are online and are ongoing while you’re abroad.
Explore AMIGOS
Training modules are online and are ongoing while you’re abroad.
What is included in your fee?
