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Amigos de las Americas

4.88 Rating
204 reviews
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Why choose Amigos de las Americas?

Founded in 1965, AMIGOS is the safest, most authentic volunteer and immersion program in Latin America for young people ages 13 to 22. Volunteers get the opportunity to explore a new country, learn Spanish, and make a positive impact by working on a community service project side by side with local peers and community partners. Our relationships with local and international organizations — built over 60 years — enable authentic engagements in communities across the region.

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Website
www.amigosinternational.org
Founded
1965
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Frequently asked questions

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Community Photos

Local School in Guadalupe
'Unique' Cake with Unicorn Candles!
Planting coffee plants
My group in Parismina after a soccer game
A selfie of me and my host family in the community's playground.
Constanza loved AMIGOS
Me and my host sister walking to the river
Macho Mora Hike in Briefing
Working in the school
Wonderful environment!
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Cooking :)
El Chorro
Pasar tiempo a la escuela con los chicos durante los "ECAs"
"Soccer after school with the local youth". (I'm On the left and my Partner, Reuben, Is on the right... were both white)
turtles!

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Community Awards

  • Go Overseas Award
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  • Go Overseas Award
  • Go Overseas Award

Reviews

Josephine
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Amigos de las Americas - Paraguay

Paraguay 2025

Aug 31, 2025

I visited Paraguay this past summer and resided in the tiny town of Santa Rosa. It was an absolutely amazing experience filled with exciting, memorable, and occasionally scary adventures. During my trip, I got to know some of my favorite people, including my incredible amigos friends, whom I adore, and all of these incredibly kind people who welcomed me into their families and communities. I will also always remember my project staff's generosity and their unwavering support. I'm incredibly appreciative of everyone who helped make this experience possible because it has changed the way I view my life and my future. Anyone who is willing to try new things and wants to have an experience of a lifetime should definitely check this out

Maggie
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Cultural Immersion & Volunteering Abroad in Costa Rica

Amigos: Marine and Mountain Exploration in Costa Rica

Aug 29, 2025

My time on the Amigos: Marine and Mountain Exploration trip in Costa Rica was extremely worthwhile. All of the staff were super kind and supportive, as well as the host families who I stayed with. I was inspired by the local organizations we partnered with, and learned a ton about sustainable agriculture, sea turtles, and local life in the 2 places I stayed, Guayabo and Parismina. Additionally, this trip gave me the chance to experience things I had never done before, like making my own chocolate, seeing wild sea turtles, and milking a cow. While each trip is different, and will most likely not do exactly the same things I did, it will still definitely be a once in a lifetime experience.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice to future travelers is to be open minded, and have a positive mindset throughout the entirety of the program. If you spend each day trying to make the most out of the experience, you will have a much better time than if you only focus on the things that go wrong.
Pros
  • I met and formed relationships with lots of different people who I never would have met otherwise.
  • I became more confident in my Spanish.
  • Costa Rica has an incredible amount of wildlife that I was able to observe.
What other participants should know
  • There were bugs.
Jonathan
Male
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Cultural Immersion & Volunteering in Panama

Panama Summer Program: Tierras Altas

Oct 3, 2024

AMIGOS has been a life-changing experience. Not only does AMIGOS broaden your worldwide perspective, but it teaches you so much about culture that other programs might not. Living with the community in pairs and exploring in groups enables you to experience a nearly fully immersed experience. I learned so much about regenerative farming practices and the organizations in Panama that are working to implement these technologies. AMIGOS also has so many different options. From long programs to short ones and from Costa Rica to Panama, AMIGOS has at least one program that will interest you!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Firstly, traveling to a different country is a must-do experience. AMIGOS is a great program with decades of experience and strong connections within their communities. I would suggest to whoever decides to go on this program to be comfortable with new things and changes. If you can do that, then the experience will be extremely enjoyable.
Pros
  • Tours & Activities
  • Interactions with Local Community
  • Free Time to Explore
Local School in Guadalupe
Yzabel
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Cultural Immersion & Volunteering Abroad in Costa Rica

Los Santos: Session C

Sep 30, 2024

I entered this project with an array of cheerleaders: Krista, Charlotte, Dorothy, and Mateo ('23 alumni). Their support was the reason why I continued with the application process, and I must say, it was worth it. The nine weeks I spent in Costa Rica were the most liberating and life-changing experiences. Not only did I learn more about Costa Rican culture, but also the meaning of how to love and live in the moment—pura vida. These lessons are some that I will forever cherish, and aim to use in my everyday life as a form of inspiration.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
During the second youth encuentro, I was walking with my friend, Luke, and the Project Director, Steven. I suppose I was a bit unaware, considering the fact that I almost walked into moving cars. It was at this moment when Luke goes, "What are you doing? Are you trying to be unique or something?" and I was like, "I am unique! Steven, am I unique?" and he goes, "Sure." Not once did I think that small interaction would become our inside joke. From that moment on, anytime I would complain about doing tasks, Steven would say, "It's because you're unique!"

One thing everyone should note is that that AMIGOS is always full of surprises. On the second to last night, after dinner, my friends pulled me aside and asked if I wanted to play four square with them. This was a weird request, but so was everything on the trip, so I gave in and played a few rounds with them. Five minutes later, two of my other friends told us that we had to complete another group survey and that we were late. In stress, I felt bad and walked at a quicker pace. When I got to the room, I watched everyone's head face towards me, as they all sang 'Happy Birthday.' Moments later, Steven walks out, carrying a cake that said, "Unique," with unicorn candles on it. The amount of joy and love I felt from the organization and my peers were indescribable.

Not to mention, my birthday is on 08/19 and the project ended on 08/13. When I thanked Steven for this kind gesture, he told me, "Of course! I still wanted to find a way to celebrate your birthday."
'Unique' Cake with Unicorn Candles!
Daisy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Cultural Immersion & Volunteering Abroad in Costa Rica

Great experience in Costa Rica

Sep 25, 2024

I loved going to Costa Rica over the summer through the La Pezeta program with AMIGOS. Although I was apprehensive of staying with a host family when I don't speak any Spanish and have never taken a Spanish class before, it worked out great and my host mom was super accomodating. I would just recommend doing some lessons on Duolingo before you leave. Additionally, not having a phone provided a great break from normal life and helped me immerse myself in the community. It truly is unique in providing a local experience rather than the typical tourist experience. It was one of the most fun times of my life, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who's considering going.

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Programs

Displaying 1 - 6 of 6

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Finley Davis

Program
AMIGOS Gap Program in Asunción, Paraguay
Finley Davis

Why did you choose this program?

I chose AMIGOS because I had done a program with them in Nicaragua when I was in high school. Their gap year program seemed like the next step up and I was able to have an internship while I was abroad.

Their program was also one of the more affordable ones I found and felt more authentic because of the host family experience. They also highlight that you learn grant writing through your internship which has been a marketable skill going forward.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

AMIGOS set participants up with an internship depending on their interests and previous work experience, a host family to stay with, Spanish classes, and excursions every couple of months. They also had about a week of training in Texas that served as an orientation.

If you wanted to leave the city and plan your own trip, you totally can, but you would need to organize that on your own! Otherwise, everything you needed was taken care of by AMIGOS.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I would say stay for the entire year! The program is extremely challenging but you get the hang of it after a while! Those considering the semester option might not have enough time to assimilate and make the most of their time in Latin America. And take dance classes before you go, trust me on this one.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

An average day starts with waking up and eating breakfast with your host family, then walking to the bus stop and going into downtown where you would either go to Spanish classes or your internship. I usually met other participants for lunch or ate with my internship supervisors at their house.

After work, other participants and I would meet at a dance or yoga class. I always ate dinner with my host family and if it was on the weekend we would end the night at a discoteca!

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was the notion that taking a gap year or semester was a waste of time. It was hard to watch my friends go straight to college when it felt like I was taking a break. But as it turns out, my time abroad was extremely valuable.

Apart from learning grant writing and perfecting my Spanish, many participants and myself also found a lot of clarity in terms of what we wanted to pursue when we returned to the US. I changed my major as soon as I got to USC, largely in part from my experience at my internship in Ecuador.

What's your favorite memory from your time abroad?

As an avid backpacker, I was able to spend time in the national parks around Ecuador hiking and exploring. I expected to find some strange plants and animals but no matter how many warnings you get, the first time you run into a llama is really something. Especially when they spit.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Lauren Hauser

Program
Amigos de las Americas- Oaxaca, Mexico
Job Title
Managing Director of Regional Operations, Former Project Director: Yucatan, Mexico
Lauren has worked for AMIGOS since 2012 when she served as a program mentor for the exchange program in Paraguay. From there, she ran AMIGOS programs in Mexico and now works at the National Office where she gets to find the next cohort of amazing young leaders!
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What is your favorite travel memory?

My favorite travel memory was being able to run AMIGOS Programs in the Yucatan, Mexico. I fell in love with the people, the culture, and working in the Mayan communities there. Opportunities like this remind me of how similar we are in our desires, hopes and dreams. Even though many of these families had very little, they actually had a lot in terms of love. Although it was a 'work' experience, it felt like much much more.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I love that AMIGOS is a leadership organization through and through and so you really get opportunities to take on new projects, learn new things and flex your leadership muscles. I really feel like through AMIGOS roles, I have had the opportunity to learn more about myself and in turn, become a better leader with others. More tangibly, project management! What a skill to take with you for the rest of your life.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

If I could go on an AMIGOS program I would have a hard time choosing! Personally, I would love to do the projects where there is a strong indigenous community presence. I get excited to learn new languages and experience cultures. Our Paraguay, Ecuador or Mexico projects really offer students the opportunities to not just learn and practice Spanish, but also other languages like Mayan, Guarani and Quechua. Our Ecuador program also has a specific focus on youth entrepreneurship and I think it would be really interesting to learn about micro-enterprises alongside Ecuadorian youth!

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

I think what makes AMIGOS unique is our commitment to building young global leaders committed to service. What I appreciate is that we don't just do that with the students who pay to do our programs, but with youth locally who take part in our training program as well. Our Latin American youth are a key part of our work, as well as our host families. I am also very proud of our training program. We offer a 30 hour core curriculum that really prepares students to learn and grow in independent environments and I really believe that when we step outside our comfort zones, our opportunity to grow is nothing short of powerful!

Professional Associations

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