Choose the AMIGOS experience for you!  We offer three different types of summer programs for high school students – each with increasing levels of cultural immersion, independence, and service. View our program model descriptions and handy charts to see what sets each one apart!

AMIGOS Discover
A Taste of Adventure with Local Impact!

Ready to step outside your comfort zone and experience something new? AMIGOS Discover programs are perfect for high school students seeking a short, immersive service-learning experience. Spend 2 to 3 weeks abroad, live with a host family, and volunteer alongside your local community with a tight-knit group and daily support from a project staff team. Whether you’re doing beach cleanups, helping lead youth activities, or gaining insights from local leaders, every day is a new chance to learn, grow, and make a difference. Earn 12 service hours a week and college credit on 3-week projects while discovering a new culture, making new friends, and taking the first steps to becoming a global leader. No Spanish is required for AMIGOS Discover programs. Just bring your curiosity and sense of adventure!

Discover programs: Panama: El Pacifico | Panama: Tierras Altas | Costa Rica: La Pezeta

AMIGOS Explore
Go Further. Build Connections. Explore What Matters.

If you’re a high school student ready for something deeper than a typical trip abroad, AMIGOS Explore programs offer 2- to 3.5-week adventures that blend service, leadership, and cultural exchange. You’ll live with a host family in a small group of volunteers, work side-by-side with local youth, and lead service projects that truly matter. You’ll also grow your Spanish skills, earn college credit (3-week programs only), complete 20 service hours per week, and see the world from a whole new perspective. Explore programs include both group travel activities and more independent experiences, with a project supervisor in the community with volunteers approximately 80% of the time. It’s meaningful, challenging, and unforgettable—designed for young leaders who want more than a vacation.

Explore programs: Costa Rica: La Brunca | Costa Rica: Olas y Cerros | Panama: El Valle | Dominican Republic: Tierra Caribe | Paraguay: Ruta del Mate

AMIGOS Immerse
Live the Experience. Lead the Change.

AMIGOS Immerse programs offer the deepest level of cultural integration, independence, and leadership development for high school students ready to dive in headfirst. Based on the historical AMIGOS program model, students spend 4–6 weeks living with a host family in Latin America, collaborating on community-led service projects, and developing their leadership skills like never before. Students live with host families with 2 to 3 volunteers per community, build deep community relationships, earn 25 service hours per week, and design and implement a project with their host community. Project supervisors complete traditional AMIGOS “routes,” visiting volunteers once per week for 24-48 hours. With strong support and the opportunity to shape real projects from the ground up, this is your chance to grow into a confident, connected, and compassionate global citizen!

Immerse programs: Dominican Republic: Barahona | Paraguay: Tierra Guarani

 

 

Explore Programs Immerse Programs
Age Group High School (15-19) High School (15-19)
Length 2 to 3.5 weeks 4 to 6 weeks
Spanish Requirement 1+ years 2+ years
Service Hours 20 hours/week 25 hours/week
College Credit Yes for 3-week programs Yes for all programs
Training & Briefing Online training for National Chapter volunteers;
Chapter training for Chapter volunteers		 Online training (including live sessions) for National Chapter volunteers;
Chapter training (including live sessions) for Chapter volunteers
Community Stay Volunteers divided into groups of up to 6 across communities 2 to 3 volunteers/community
Includes Homestays Yes, 1-3 volunteer(s) per host family Yes, 1-2 volunteer(s) per host family
Staff Supervision Staff are with volunteers in the community ~80% of the time Staff complete traditional AMIGOS “routes,” visiting volunteers once per week for 24-48 hours
Service Projects Organized by AMIGOS staff, partner agencies, and community members. Volunteers are involved in the execution, as well as leading daily extra-curricular activities with local youth. Organized by the community with support from volunteers and partner agencies. Volunteers may support with the whole process from ideation to execution, as well as leading daily extra-curricular activities with local youth.

 

Discover Programs Middle School
Age Group High School (15-19) Middle School (13-14)
Length 2 to 3 weeks 12 days
Spanish Requirement None None
Service Hours 12 hours/week 12 hours/week
College Credit Yes for 3-week programs No
Training & Briefing Online training for National Chapter volunteers;
Chapter training for Chapter volunteers		 None
Community Stay Group is in one community together for the whole program Group is in two main sites with dorm-style lodging
Includes Homestays Yes, 1-3 volunteer(s) per host family No
Staff Supervision Project staff are in community with volunteers at all times Project staff are with volunteers at all times at a group lodging site
Service Projects Projects are organized by AMIGOS partner agencies. Projects are organized by AMIGOS partner agencies.