Explore the Panamanian highlands near the Costa Rican border! This region produces most of the food for the whole country. Learn about sustainable environmental practices through community service activities on organic farms, compost plants, and community gardens. Live with a host family and enjoy the pastoral scenery in your host community.

Session A is closed and Session B is full. Explore other projects here!
Length Training
Dates
In-Country
Dates
Ages Application
Deadline
Price
Session A - Closed 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 7–27, 2023

15–19 The deadline for Session A has passed. Please email our Admissions team with any questions at [email protected]

$4,375 – Local Chapter (Find out more about joining AMIGOS through a local chapter here)

$5,875 – National Chapter

Fees include all in-country expenses. Flight costs are not included.

Session B - Full 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 5–25, 2023

15–19 This session is full. Click here to join the waitlist.

$4,375 – Local Chapter (Find out more about joining AMIGOS through a local chapter here)

$5,875 – National Chapter

Fees include all in-country expenses. Flight costs are not included.

  • Session A - Closed
  • 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 7–27, 2023

  • Ages
    15–19
  • Application Deadline
    The deadline for Session A has passed. Please email our Admissions team with any questions at [email protected]
  • Price

    $4,375 – Local Chapter (Find out more about joining AMIGOS through a local chapter here)

    $5,875 – National Chapter

    Fees include all in-country expenses. Flight costs are not included.

  • Session B - Full
  • 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 5–25, 2023

  • Ages
    15–19
  • Application Deadline
    This session is full. Click here to join the waitlist.
  • Price

    $4,375 – Local Chapter (Find out more about joining AMIGOS through a local chapter here)

    $5,875 – National Chapter

    Fees include all in-country expenses. Flight costs are not included.

About the Project

Project Type

Homestay. Maximum enrollment is 20 volunteers, with two spots reserved for Panamanian students.

Slang

aguacero = rain shower
ofi = okay
buenas = hi

College Credit

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

Service Hours

Earn 36 service hours!

Food

Sancocho de gallina – chicken soup with vegetables and yucca
Hojaldres – fried dough
Tamales – spiced meat filling in corn dough, wrapped in banana leaves, and cooked

What makes this project unique?

Dive deep into Panamanian culture by living with a host family! You’ll get to practice your Spanish and spend time with your host family and local community members. You will learn to prepare local food such as sancocho or hojaldres.  

Many of the host families have small farms or gardens where they harvest their own vegetables and fruit. Some of the families even distribute their food throughout the whole country! During your day-to-day activities on the project, you will learn how environmental challenges and climate change are impacting agriculture.   

Chiriquí, Panama
a group of students on top of a hill facing different directions
Find out more about our programs

Join an online info session!

RSVP HERE

What You'll Do

Chiriqui

This project takes place in the highlands of Panama near the border with Costa Rica. We will be in the Chiriquí Province, also known as the agricultural capital of the country because around 80% of the fruit and vegetables come from farms in the area. 

Through field visits to environmental organizations that promote sustainable and chemical-free agriculture, and by learning from local people, you will learn about practices like cultivating fertile soils to guarantee the long-term supply of food and minimize the effects of global warming.  

In addition, you’ll get to visit protected areas in Chiriquí and support the Ministry of the Environment with trail maintenance projects in these reserves.

 

Partner Agencies

You’ll take part in community service activities with environmental and agritourist organizations and organic farms.   

 

Example Activities

  • Visit one of the largest orchid centers in Panama, with over 2000 species from all over the world!
  • Hike to a waterfall located in Parque Internacional La Amistad
  • Take an excursion to Barriles, one of the most important archeological sites in Panama, and learn more about the history of the country
  • Join workshops on environmental stewardship
  • Take part in cultural activities with community members 

A Day in the Life

Mornings

  • Wake up and have breakfast with your host family. In Panama, breakfast might be coffee, hojaldres (fried bread) or eggs with tortillas, and fruit.
  • Meet local leaders paving the way for sustainable agriculture in their communities! Take part in activities like making hand soap from used cooking oil and building ecological stoves.
  • Join in on a community service activity in an organic compost plant or organic farm.
  • Lunch with your host family. A typical lunch might be sancocho (soup), rice and lentils, or chicken and rice with juice.

AFTERNOONS

  • After lunch, hike in the area around your host community, sit in the town square and get to know your neighbors, or play soccer with local kids.
  • Visit local environmental initiatives like an orchid garden, an agrotourism organization, or an organic farm.
  • Dinner with your host family. Dinner is similar to lunch and typically lighter than the other meals of the day.
  • After Dinner: play cards with your host family and practice your Spanish.

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.

students playing soccer with masks on
Apply Now

Click here

Why Choose AMIGOS?

Have an Adventure

Travel off the beaten path and to must-see spots in Panama! You’ll travel as a group to experience unique destinations like extinct volcanoes, cloud forests, and waterfalls. 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.

Training for AMIGOS and Beyond

Prepare for AMIGOS through guided training in topics like: cultural humility, health and safety, emotional intelligence, travel safety, Spanish, leadership, and team building.

Upon arrival in the field, you’ll start country-specific training with your group. During your time abroad, you’ll meet regularly with an AMIGOS staff member who serves as your mentor.

My favorite part of the project was building connections with those around me. I got to meet so many interesting people from all over the country and from Panama. I made friendships that will hopefully last a lifetime.

—Kate, Volunteer in Panama, 2022

Program Requirements
Apply Now

Field Notes

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Counting down the days until our volunteers arrive in Latin America!🌎💚

We’re getting everything ready for our Amigos - from setting up accommodations to meeting with our local partners, we can’t wait to make this summer unforgettable.

Thank you Maia for this awesome video from Costa Rica!😍

@amigos_americas_costarica

*There may be some spots available for select projects - DM us for details!
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#volunteerabroad #spanishimmersion #highschoolspanish #costarica #youthempowerment #puravida #summer2023 #apspanish #teentravel #voluntariadointernacional
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Guess who’s already in Panamá? One of our amazing project directors, Carolina!🇵🇦❤️

Today is officially the LAST day to apply for AMIGOS 2023 summer programs.

👉 Let’s make a difference together and create lasting memories! Submit your application by midnight tonight.🌎✨

Need any help with your application? Send us a DM!
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Are you looking for the chance to reconnect with long-time friends through the AMIGOS community? Save the date for the Adelante Benefit - Saturday September 23 in San Francisco!

You also will not want to miss out on the next virtual silent auction. Get ready to bid on some amazing items this September!

🌁 Learn more: amigosinternational.org/adelante-benefit
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We’re just a few HOURS away from closing our 2023 AMIGOS applications!!🌎💚

Got any questions, need help applying or need a last minute deadline extension? Contact us at [email protected] or set up a call with us! DM us and we’ll send you a link to register.

See you very soon in Latin America!!🤗🎉✈️
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#volunteerabroad #teentravel #spanishimmersion #youthleadership #voluntariadointernacional #travel #highschoolsummer #visitlatinamerica #internationaldevelopment
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¡Un llamado especial a nuestros seguidores ecuatorianos!🇪🇨❤️ Buscamos familias anfitrionas en Cuenca, Ecuador para nuestro programa Jóvenes Embajadores con voluntarios estadounidenses.🇺🇸🌎

¡Se parte de esta experiencia inolvidable!

Si estás interesado, envíanos un mensaje directo por Instagram o escríbele a nuestro coordinador Nicolás: [email protected]

💻¿Listo para aplicar? Llena el formulario para familias anfitrionas: ami.gs/3VjXHJg.
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#YouthAmbassadors #ExchangeOurWorld #SomosAmigos @exchangeourworld 
@YouthAmbassadors @WorldLearning @WLYouth @YouthAmbassadorsExchange @amigosyap
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