Nicaragua - Volunteer Programs - Amigos de las Americas

This STEM program will take a deep dive into community-driven renewable energy in Nicaragua. Travel around the country to observe solar power generation and usage in rural areas and geo-thermal energy from volcanoes. What effect does renewable energy have on communities in Nicaragua? How does this relate to conservation efforts on a global scale? Find out first-hand in the land of lakes and volcanoes!

The deadline to apply was May 17.

	Length	Training Dates	In-Country Dates	Ages	Application Deadline	Price
Session A	3 weeks	Online training on COVID-19, health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.	June 9–29	15–19	The deadline for Session A has passed. Please email our Admissions team with any questions at [email protected]	$5,875 – includes all in-country expenses
Session B	3 Weeks	Online training on COVID-19, health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.	July 7–27	15–19	The deadline for Session B has passed.	$5,875 – includes all in-country expenses

Session A
Length

3 weeks
Training Dates

Online training on COVID-19, health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.
In-Country Dates

June 9–29
Ages

15–19
Application Deadline

The deadline for Session A has passed. Please email our Admissions team with any questions at [email protected]
Price

$5,875 – includes all in-country expenses
Session B
Length

3 Weeks
Training Dates

Online training on COVID-19, health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.
In-Country Dates

July 7–27
Ages

15–19
Application Deadline

The deadline for Session B has passed.
Price

$5,875 – includes all in-country expenses

About the Project

Project Type

Group-based. Maximum enrollment is 20, with two spots reserved for students from Nicaragua. Students from Honduras will also be joining this project!

Climate

Summer is rainy season! Leon is hot and Nueva Segovia is humid and a bit cooler. Visit a dry forest, a wet rainforest, and a savannah!

College Credit

Get two college credits for this project! Find out more here.

Host Family

Stay with a host family for a little over a week while working with a local organization that directs projects like bioconstruction and community-driven renewable energy!

Slang

tuani = cool
prix = good friend
pulperia = small local store

Food

gallo pinto – a mix of beans and rice prepared together
nacatamales – corn dough filled with spiced meat and potatoes, wrapped in banana leaves and cooked

Volcanoes

Nicaragua is home to 19 volcanoes! Geothermal energy from the country’s active volcanoes helps power the country.

Service Hours

Earn 30 service hours!

STEM

Make a solar oven and learn how solar panels are built! Explore the limits of conventional energy as well as the challenges and importance of renewable energy in Nicaragua. Learn how people have the power to improve the quality of their lives and employ sustainable, earth-friendly practices to do so.

Somoto, Nicaragua

Cleaner Energy for Local Communities

Solar & Hydroelectric Energy

Explore renewable energy in Nicaragua and how it has impacted communities. During the project, you’ll dive into solar and hydroelectric energy, visiting different locations to see how communities use renewable energy to sustain their lives and livelihood. Learn how to install small solar energy systems in homes! See first-hand how communities build and run their own hydroelectric plants to power their family homes.

Bringing Three Countries Together

This year, we have a unique opportunity in Nicaragua to bring together students from three different parts of the Americas: United States, Honduras, and Nicaragua. While the three countries all have distinct histories, customs, and politics, they are all tied closely together through a shared regional history. You’ll explore commonalities and differences, shared struggles and accomplishments, and unique and common histories.

Partner Agencies

Support three different organizations who promote appropriate and innovative technologies to improve the quality of life of Nicaraguan families and rural communities. Earn 30 service hours while volunteering on a service project!

Example Activities

Build a solar oven and install and repair home solar panel systems
Grab a tube or a raft and float through Somoto Canyon, a national monument
Visit a coffee farm and learn how renewable energy practices are incorporated into production
Make your own ceramic piece at a ceramics cooperative
Hike in the mountains in northern Nicaragua

A Day in the Life

Days 1–7

Wake up and have breakfast in small groups
Morning: Rotating schedule of activities, including Spanish classes, orientation, explore topics like renewable energy production and use in the U.S. and Nicaragua. Take a day-long course on renewable energy at a local college!
Lunch outside
Afternoon: Rotating schedule of activities—Spanish classes, beach cleanup, local community tour
Free time to explore the grounds
Dinner in small groups
After Dinner: free time, fun group activities

Day 8–End of Project

Wake up and eat breakfast with your host family
Morning: volunteer on a community service project, take part in fun intercultural and leadership activities
Lunch outside
Afternoon: travel to energy plants, create your own piece at a ceramic cooperative, and learn to make a solar oven and solar panels. Bond with your host family!
Dinner
After Dinner: fun group bonding, free time to relax, spend time with your host family before heading to bed!

Program Pillars

Ethical Service

Learn how to create ethical service initiatives by working with–not for–a community, engaging local organizations and partners, and evaluating the impact of your work. AMIGOS works with trusted local partners that are passionate and committed to working with our volunteers on community service projects.

Cultural Humility

Cultural humility is a process of both self-reflection about your own culture as well as learning about other cultures. You will examine your own beliefs and cultural identity and gain an understanding of how structural racism has impacted societies and the roles that communities can take to lead systemic change.

Leadership

Learn, grow, and discover your leadership potential! Explore your sense of purpose and start to establish your personal goals and values through introspection and inquiry.

Find out more!

Join an online info session

RSVP Here

Why Choose AMIGOS?

Practice Spanish

AMIGOS programs provide a unique opportunity to experience a new culture. Volunteers report increased fluency in Spanish after completing our program. Activities go far beyond the classroom — you’ll lead activities in Spanish, learn local slang, and increase your confidence with real-world practice. You will not believe how fast your Spanish improves when you use it in conversation every day!

Have an Adventure

Travel to must-see spots in your host country! You’ll travel as a group to experience unique destinations like volcanoes, ancient ruins, national parks, and historical sites. You’ll get to see these places from the distinct perspective of someone who has spent time in that country and learned about the culture firsthand. Plus, you’ll bond with their fellow volunteers and have fun!

Travel with Trust

AMIGOS is the industry leader in health and safety management. Our staff is prepared to help you with any situation that may arise. Each volunteer receives a personalized emergency plan, as well as support from local staff teams and a professional 24-hour On-Call Safety Team of travel specialists, doctors, and mental health specialists. A Health and Wellness Coordinator is on staff with the group throughout the duration of their stay. AMIGOS also has an established network of vetted medical clinics and hospitals throughout the region.

Ready to apply?

Click Here

“Those three weeks in Nicaragua gave me the opportunity to step back from my own life and examine my exact place in the world. Yes, I am still small in the face of time and the universe, but I still have my place in it, and it is my job to make that space as beautiful of a garden as I can.”
-Meah, 2021 Alum, Nicaragua

Program Requirements

Meet the health criteria for AMIGOS participation and follow the mental health procedures if necessary.
Receive required immunizations and medications
Be age 15–19 on the project start date
Have taken 2 years of Spanish or the equivalent

Resources

Apply Now

Field Notes

Nueva Segovia – July 20–26

Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua

Nueva Segovia – July 16–19

Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua

Nueva Segovia – July 13–15

Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua

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Mar 23

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¡Feliz miércoles, Nicaragua alumni!🇳🇮 Can you believe you were planning your trip with AMIGOS this time last year?❤️¡Qué nostalgia!

If you have a sibling, cousin, or friend that doesn’t have summer plans yet - let them know we have open spots for our program in Nicaragua this summer!

Help us spread the word about the program by telling your friends and family about it, or by sharing photos of your trip on your stories and tag @amigos_americas!😊🙌 ...

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Sep 2

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Want to join AMIGOS this fall? Apply by September 6 for the Social Impact Accelerator! Head to @amigos_americas to learn more. ...

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Sep 1

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New AMIGOS programs for summer 2022 just announced today! Head to @amigos_americas to find out more 🙌 ...

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Aug 10

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Hey 2021 volunteers! We miss you already 💚

Don’t forget to follow our main account @amigos_americas to stay up to date with AMIGOS, and tag them if you share photos from your summer experience! ...

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Jul 28

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We started off that day with a bus ride to Granada where we had a tour of the city and learned about the famous historical sites including the five churches. Then we ate lunch at café sonrisa, a place that works to provide jobs for the deaf community. After returning to Managua, we all dressed up for a last dinner out and a fun dance party 🎉

Comenzamos nuestro día con un paseo en autobús a la ciudad de Granada adónde teníamos un tour de la ciudad y aprendimos sobre los sitios históricos incluyendo las 5 iglesias. Después almorzamos en Café Sonrisas un sitió que da trabaja para la comunidad sorda. Después regresamos a Managua y disfrutamos nuestro último día junto con una cena y una fiesta de baile. ...

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Jul 27

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We started off the day at 5:30am with a bus ride back to Managua where we had a nice lunch at a local hotel. Then we had a few activities for debriefing before heading back to our lodging for a dinner of pupusas and asamblea. 🚌🍽️

Comenzamos el día a las 5:30am con un camino de autobús a Managua donde comimos un buen almuerzo. Hicimos algunas actividades para reflejar sobre el paseo antes de regresar a nuestro hotel para una cena de pupusas y asamblea. 🚌🍽️ ...

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Jul 26

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We started out the day with a short walk to the town of San Ramon where we had a quick tour. Then we headed to a coffee shop where we sampled different types of coffee and bought some locally made jewelry. After that we went to a water fall were we swam before heading back to the hotel for free time and asamblea. ⛲☕

Comenzamos nuestro día con una caminada corta al pueblo de San Ramón adónde hicimos un tour corto. Después fuimos a una tienda de café adónde aprobamos y tomamos café y compramos joyería hecha local. Fuimos para la Cascada Blanca y nadamos. Luego llegamos al hotel y tuvimos tiempo libre seguido por asemblea. ...

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Jul 25

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Today we left Somoto and travelled to our new accomodations in San Ramón. On the way we had a fun stop at Cerámicas Negras and experienced the art of ceramics with the guidance of the local artisans. We are excited to spend the last few days together as the family we have become!

Hoy nos fuimos de Somoto y viajamos hacia nuestra nuevo alojamiento en San Ramón. En el camino nos divertimos cuando paramos en las Cerámicas Negras y experimentamos el arte de las cerámicas con la guía de las artesanas locales. Estamos emocionados por pasar los últimos pocos días juntos como la familia en que nos hemos convertido! ...

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