Amigos de las Americas

Program Reviews

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Jonathan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Panama Summer Program: Tierras Altas

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
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Yzabel
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Los Santos: Session C

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."
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Daisy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experience in Costa Rica

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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Jaeyn
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Panamá Experience

I had an amazing time on my trip. The other volunteers and my host family were so awesome and I really enjoyed getting to know them. It wasn’t as much Spanish as I expected, which I was disappointed about, but I was glad to have the opportunity to use my knowledge with my host family. The staff was great when I had any sort of minor medical trouble. They were at times uptight and not trusting of us. Whenever we went walking we would have to be single file or in a pair as though we were little children unable to walk in the road. That felt diminutive but otherwise the trip was great!

Pros
  • Meeting new people
  • Using your Spanish
  • Not being near your phone
Cons
  • Didn’t feel the staff trusted us that much
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Julie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Wonderful Program in Ecuador with AMIGOS INTERNATIONAL

My daughter participated in both the Chimborazo, Ecuador program and the Costa Rica program with AMIGOS International. She helped with a Sea Turtle program, built a trail, harvested potatoes, helped build a greenhouse, learned about the local ecosystem and indigenous cultures, helped cook local recipes with her host family, milked a cow, practiced her Spanish, and made many new friends. For parents who want their child to gain cultural awareness, practice a second language, improve their self confidence, and participate in community service, AMIGOS makes sure youth can do this safely, with appropriate supervision, and at a reasonable cost. AMIGOS provides pre-trip training for youth, has staff available for any questions or concerns, and helps students with fundraising for their trip.
AMIGOS has been sending students overseas for many decades so they know how to run a great program.

Pros
  • Your child will practice and gain confidence with the Spanish language
  • Your child will be immersed in another culture
  • Your child will participate in ethical community service
Cons
  • You need to accept you will not be in constant contact with your child while they are away
  • Best to plan ahead and take Spanish classes before you go
  • Sign up early or the program you want may fill up. There will always be a spot available in a different program though
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Sofia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Loved my Amigos Trip to Costa Rica!

The Amigos program gave me a social and cultural experience I couldn’t find anywhere else and I am still infinitely grateful I had the opportunity to go. On this trip I got to meet a bunch of new and amazing people, from other volunteers and supervisors to host families and locals. I am still in contact with the other volunteers and my host family and message them daily! Every day on our trip was an amazing time getting to participate in volunteering and exploration activities and creating a tightly knit group of volunteers. The experience was also a great chance to actively speak Spanish in a real life situation and be able to communicate with people in my second language. I am so glad I chose to go on this trip and I would recommend it to every young student looking to broaden their world view and have an experience like no other!

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Toby
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amigos C.R. Olas y Cerros 2023

I had an amazing experience with Amigos this summer. I took part in a 3 week program called Olas y Cerros, which was focused on environmental sustainability, conservation work, and youth leadership. We traveled to 3 main locations and stayed in a homestay with local "parents" for a large portion of the project, and my homestay experience was great. My "parents" were very understanding of anything I needed and our conversations every meal definitely helped my Spanish. I loved the projects we participated in with partner agencies, especially our work with ASTOP in Parismina, where we helped clean up beaches and watched turtle eggs hatch. I had very few, if any, negative experiences on my program and I came out of it with a better grasp of Spanish language, knowledge of Costa Rican culture, and self-awareness.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I had the awesome opportunity to try termites (live!) on a walking tour of the rainforest in Parismina.
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Jack
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amigos de las Americas Panamá 2023

It's an authentic and completely immersive experience. Everyone will get a completely different experience depending on country/cohort. The program is great at mental/physical safety throughout, and ensures everyone has a great time, the staff are very supportive. It also prepares you well for going to your community. It can be difficult at times and requires independence and resilience, but is completely worth it in the end. You won't have your phone on the program which allows you to connect with people and make lifelong friends, and truly immerse yourself in the experience.

Pros
  • Program is big on safety
  • Improves your Spanish quickly, completely immersive
  • Unique, original experience
Cons
  • No contact with parents/people from U.S (no phone allowed)
  • Can be emotionally difficult
  • Having an intermediate level of Spanish is important
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Aimery
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Santa Elena Ecuador 4 Week Program

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Pros
  • I got to learn about a whole different culture and people and I got to experience the daily life there.
  • My Spanish speaking abilities and confidence were greatly amplified by participating in this program because I had to speak everyday and figure out ways to communicate.
  • I was able to make a ton of new friends and really take the time to learn about myself and
Cons
  • Communication from AMIGOS wasn't optimal when outside of the project country.
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Constanza
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Panama AMIGOS middle school program 2023

I feel like the experience opened my eyes to new places and new people which helped me grow as an individual. Since the program was not a vacation, it enabled me to immerse myself more into the culture and speak more of the native language. I enjoyed making the tamales and not being so picky with what was offered. I learned not to take things and moments for granted. For example, working in the rain paid off in the end as the community was one step closer to their mission. Even during the course of a week, the young U.S. volunteers wanted to help out and contribute to the greater good. The local people were super friendly and I felt like I could talk to anyone. Everything we did felt like it had a lot of love and purpose, including the service projects.

Pros
  • Cultural immersion and a steady change in personal perspective
  • Things were organized and ready for the volunteers
  • Unique experiences like no other in the U.S.
Cons
  • Insects, insects, insects
  • Immigration in the United States upon arriving from Panama
  • Clothes smelled due to humidity