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Paraguay: Tierra Guaraní
Cultural Immersion and Service
| Length | Requirements | Dates | Ages | Application Deadline |
Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paraguay: Tierra Guaraní | 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 25–Aug 6, 2024 |
15–19 | National Chapter: April 16 |
$6,175 – National Chapter 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 25–Aug 6, 2024
$6,175 – National Chapter
Fees include all in-country expenses
Flight costs are not included
Learn more about Fundraising & Financial Assistance
Community Immersion
Students who are looking for a high level of independence and cultural immersion. Students will spend 6 weeks in their host communities with a weekly staff visit and check-in. Volunteers on this project must be self-motivated and comfortable operating in an environment with limited supervision and direction.
Receive college credit for joining this project! Learn more here.
Most food will be homecooked typical Paraguayan food, including meat, corn and rice.
Borí Borí: balls of corn flour and cheese. They are added to a fresh vegetable or chicken broth or stew, much like dumplings to create a satisfying meal. Chipa: Chipa is a savory cheesy scone. Sopa Paraguaya: Paraguay’s unique cornmeal-based bread!
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. The group will be together at the beginning and end of the project.
Climate: Paraguay’s climate is seasonal and subject to abrupt changes. It is subtropical, with summer and winter seasons opposite to those in the United States. Winter extends from June through August. Cold snaps of 4 or 5 days with temperatures in the low 40s and high 30s are interspersed with several days in the upper 70s and low 80s. Frosts occur rarely.
Terrain: Grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chaco region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river, and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere.
Earn 72 service hours.
AMIGOS initiated its work in Paraguay in 1972 in partnership with the Ministerio de Salud (Ministry of Health). Through the years, projects have focused on a variety of themes including immunizations, community sanitation, youth leadership development, and childhood education. AMIGOS ran open-enrollment summer programs in Paraguay through 2017 and is excited to be returning this year!
Paraguay is unique because it is a bilingual country, where a native language, Guaraní, is recognized as an official national language along with Spanish. The Guarani culture is deeply rooted in Paraguay.
Due to the country’s central location in South America, it is sometimes referred to as Corazón de Sudamérica (Heart of South America).
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 40-42: Asuncion- 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!
See more projects like this one!