Voices of Amigos


La Carta features stories from AMIGOS alumni and updates from our organization. Browse through the posts to see what we're up to and to learn more about AMIGOS!



Honoring AMIGOS Alum Bill Arnold

La Carta


AMIGOS lost a cherished member of our community, William “Bill” Arnold, on August 5, 2020 after a battle with cancer. Bill was known for his…

Read More
A Final Goodbye to Star Lane

La Carta


In September, AMIGOS bid farewell to the property that was home to our National Office for 42 years. Star Lane, as it was fondly called,…

Read More
9 Ways You Can Do Conservation Work Right Now

La Carta


When you hear the words “environmental conservation” what do you think of? Cue the dreamy tropical music filled with ukuleles and marimbas. Aerial shots of…

Read More
Alumni Spotlight: Community Impact Project Volunteer Alana

La Carta


One of our Community Impact Project volunteers- Alana, from Austin, TX – shares about her experiences with AMIGOS and her service project about voting! Learn…

Read More
Alumni Spotlight: Anne Morriss

La Carta


Anne Morriss (’94, ’95, ’96, ’97) and her wife Frances Frei recently published a book on leadership, Unleashed: The Unapologetic Leader’s Guide to Empowering Everyone…

Read More
Alumni Spotlight: Community Impact Project Volunteer Saylor

La Carta


One of our Community Impact Project volunteers- Saylor, from San Carlos, CA – shares about her experiences with AMIGOS in Panama and virtually, as well…

Read More
Alumni Spotlight: Community Impact Project Volunteer Simran

La Carta


One of our Community Impact Project volunteers- Simran, from Los Altos, CA- shares about her experiences with AMIGOS in Panama and virtually, as well as…

Read More
Alumni Spotlight: Community Impact Project Volunteer Blessing

La Carta


One of our Community Impact Project volunteers- Blessing from Pérez Zeledón, San José, Costa Rica- shares about her experience building community on a virtual platform…

Read More
Alumni Spotlight: HISD Global Issues Summit Winner Nusaibah

La Carta


Earlier this spring, AMIGOS joined the Houston Independent Student District’s inaugural Virtual Global Issues Summit. Organized by HISD Abroad, this event brought together students, parents,…

Read More
See All La Carta

Field Notes are updates from our programs across the Americas. Explore by project to get a taste of what AMIGOS is like and to see updates from current participants.

Jump straight to...
Costa Rica: Palmares
Costa Rica: Pérez Zeledón
Dominican Republic: San Juan
Ecuador: Chimborazo
Ecuador: Cuenca
Ecuador: Cuenca (Gap Program)
Ecuador: Santa Elena
Panama: Azuero
Panama: Coclé
Costa Rica: Discover AMIGOS
Panama: Discover AMIGOS
Uruguay: Montevideo (Gap Program)
Youth Ambassadors
Archive of Inactive Projects



Last Week in Community

Field Notes


This week was the last week of route! I can’t believe how fast the time has gone by. I started off the week in Cedral,…

Read More
End of Summer in Barahona

Field Notes


After four weeks immersed in the local culture, the Session B volunteers’ adventure-filled experience came to an end with a heartfelt candle lighting ceremony where…

Read More
Report from Parque Nacional Marino Ballena

Field Notes


Written by volunteer Alice C. This week in campamentos has been amazing. We worked in the national park Marino Ballena. It had some of the…

Read More
Updates from Emma’s Route

Field Notes


The third week was another incredible week on route! I spent Monday in Pejibaye with Kirston, Frances, and Kathya. When I showed up they were…

Read More
Michael’s Reflection on the Rural Homestay

Field Notes


This week concludes the volunteers’ last week in their rural communities. Volunteer Michael wanted to take a moment to reflect on his time in Chobshi,…

Read More
Video from Fiesta Ambiental

Field Notes


Check out this video of Azuero volunteers making promises to protect the environment:

Read More
First Campamento

Field Notes


This past weekend, the Palmares Project had our first weekend of campamentos. The volunteers, staff, and coordinators from Casa de la Juventud (our partner agency…

Read More
Updates from Hannah’s Route

Field Notes


Greetings from supervisor Hannah’s route! Volunteers are enjoying their last week in community, and are seeing their community based initiatives come together. Many are working…

Read More
Getting to Know Barahona

Field Notes


Our staff team is very excited to see how our volunteers’ leadership skills and Spanish are playing out in their communities! Volunteers are in their…

Read More
See All Field notes

AMIGOS in the news!



Should You Consider A Virtual Gap Year? (Forbes)

News


The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the lives of many high school seniors, who graduated into a summer of uncertainty. Gap years are garnering interest in…

Read More
AMIGOS and Tufts University Launch Virtual Gap Semester

News


  HOUSTON, TX., July 2, 2020 — Amigos de las Américas (AMIGOS) and Tufts University’s Tisch College of Civic Life are proud to announce a…

Read More
Why Climate Change Caused Me To Rethink My Career Plans: Huffington Post

News


Ashley Thorshov was planning to head to Perez Zeledon, Costa Rica with AMIGOS this summer to explore her interest in environmental sustainability and conservation. While…

Read More
AMIGOS Alumna is 2020 PA of the Year

News


Nicole Dettman (’90, ’91, ’93) is the American Academy of PAs Physician Assistant of the Year! Nicole credits her interest in health to her summers…

Read More
AMIGOS Launches Community Impact Project

News


Mural by AMIGOS alumna Sierra Ratcliff, Annabelle Wombacher, Jared Mar, and Benjamin Cahoon   HOUSTON, TX. — May 7, 2020 — Houston nonprofit Amigos de…

Read More
What Teens Can Do This Summer

News


Graduation? Canceled. Prom? Canceled. Summer travel? Canceled. What can teens do this summer? AMIGOS President & CEO Sara Nathan spoke with News12 New Jersey about…

Read More
AMIGOS Alumna Wins Fulbright Scholarship

News


AMIGOS Alumna Shannon Perrone will be heading to Brazil next year as a Fulbright Scholar. She volunteered with AMIGOS in Paraguay in 2015 and went…

Read More
Tips to Make the Most of Your Time at Home

News


AMIGOS President & CEO Sara Nathan spoke with Military Families Magazine to share some tips for how to stay engaged with your community even if…

Read More
Considering a Gap Year?

News


Due to uncertainty around the pandemic’s impact on colleges this year, many students are considering gap years instead. AMIGOS began offering Gap Programs in Latin…

Read More
See All News
Ready for Adventure?

Apply Now