Students who are looking for a high level of independence and cultural immersion. Students will spend six weeks in their host communities with a weekly visit and check-in from their Project Supervisor. They may walk up to 20 minutes to visit their community partner or get to the site for service and extracurricular activities. Additionally, volunteers on this project must be self-motivated and okay operating in an environment with limited supervision and direction. It is an opportunity to experience a slower way of life and learn to be present in the moment.
Receive college credit for joining this project! Learn more here.
Most of the food will be home-cooked meals, including rice, meat, and typical Paraguayan dishes.
This project is best for volunteers who eat meat, as vegetarian diets may be difficult for host families to accommodate.
A combination of dormitory-style lodging and homestays. Volunteers will be split into groups of 2-3 per community and live with a host family with one partner or independently. They will stay with the group and staff members at the beginning and end of the project.
Earn 25 service hours per week for a total of 150 service hours.
AMIGOS initiated its work in Paraguay in 1972 in partnership with the Ministerio de Salud (Ministry of Health). For a number of years the AMIGOS Paraguay Project involved a combination of human immunizations and community sanitation efforts. In 1993, AMIGOS expanded its work in Paraguay and began sponsoring these two initiatives on separate projects. One project focused on human immunizations and was based in Asunción, while a separate community sanitation project was based in a nearby region. In 2011 AMIGOS began to direct an increasingly significant portion of their focus towards youth leadership development and extracurricular education with children within communities, and this shift was reflected in our work in Paraguay as well. AMIGOS ran Summer Program projects in Paraguay through 2017 and returned in 2024!
Length | Requirements | Dates | Ages | Application Deadline |
Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Paraguay: Service in the Heart of South America | 6 Weeks |
Minimum 2 years of Spanish Passport valid 6 months after project end date Pre-departure training, online or in-person Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring |
June 17–July 28, 2025 |
15–19 |
Priority Financial Assistance: Dec 10, 2024 Local Chapter: Jan 21, 2025 National Chapter Financial Assistance: March 11, 2025 National Chapter: April 8, 2025 |
*Thanks to a generous donor, all volunteers on this project will receive the Immersion Award, which lowers the cost of this project to $4,875 for National Chapter volunteers and $3,875 for local chapter volunteers. Fees include all in-country expenses Flight costs are not included Learn more about Fundraising & Financial Assistance |
Minimum 2 years of Spanish
Passport valid 6 months after project end date
Pre-departure training, online or in-person
Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring
June 17–July 28, 2025
$6,175 ➡️ $4,875* – National Chapter
$5,175 ➡️ $3,875* – Local Chapters
*Thanks to a generous donor, all volunteers on this project will receive the Immersion Award, which lowers the cost of this project to $4,875 for National Chapter volunteers and $3,875 for local chapter volunteers.
Fees include all in-country expenses
Flight costs are not included
Learn more about Fundraising & Financial Assistance
Despite not operating summer open enrollment programs in Paraguay since 2017, AMIGOS has maintained strong local partnership to support our Youth Ambassadors program in Paraguay. We are excited to expand the relationship with our partners in the country as we invest in a return to the region.
Day 1: Arrive in Paraguay – Asuncion – Stay in a hostel near the airport overnight with the group
Day 2-4: Briefing Site – Briefing activities, meet your fellow volunteers, participate in Spanish and Guarani classes
Day 5-40: Host Communities around Paraguari – Students will be divided into their communities and begin homestay! During this time, students will work with their communities to develop and carry out a service project of the community’s choosing.
Day 40-42: Debriefing – Dorm-style lodging. Participate in debriefing activities and curriculum. Group excursion. Travel to the airport for your late-night flight back to the United States!
*Itineraries are subject to change.
I had the opportunity to make new friends both in the U.S.A and in Paraguay, improve my Spanish, learn some Guarani, improve my leadership skills and discover the new culture.
—Rohayhu, Volunteer in Paraguari, Paraguay
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 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.
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.
Travel off the beaten path and to must-see spots in Ecuador! Live like a local, not a tourist, with a host family in your host community. 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 volunteers and community members and have fun!
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.
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!
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