Program Reviews

I wouldn't recommend Ecuador if you're looking to have a smashing social life volunteering for AMIGOS. That's what the DR is for :] Not that Ecuador was not fun. It was, but it took a while for the people to open up to the volunteers. They are really shy at the beginning. But the Andes mountains were beautiful. I loved waking up every morning and having a view of Volcan Cotopaxi right when I stepped out of the front door. And if you are a picky eater, definitely do not go to Ecuador. You will be served guinea pig in chicken feet multiple times. They do make for some great stories though :]
Bottom line-if you work hard and do not sleep your summer away, you will have a rewarding experience.

I went to San Pedro and had the time of my life. I loved it there and it was the best experience I have ever had. I changed my outlook on life and made me appreciate what I have. My partner and I became very close and we still talk everyday. I created such strong bonds with my community members and my family from watching music videos for hours or dancing around the school singing. I will never forget the impact that my summer in Paraguay gave me. I will always have those memories and those unbreakable bonds.

If you want an adventure, something positive to do with your summer where you will learn a lot and give the same back. Somewhere where you can meet people from all over the world and build amazing friendships. Somewhere where you can strengthen your Spanish speaking skills without an idea of judgement and an organization to work with that is not about tourism and 'help'. If you want to see what Ecuador is truly about and watch it come to life, join this program!

I learned so much by living in Oaxaca and interacting with my community. I learned to love another culture and a lot about living on my own. I had many difficulties throughout the summer, but my biggest was an two-week long illness at the end of the summer. My supervisor was not supportive or helpful with the emotional and physical elements of that. Because of many factors, my sickness intensified and has kept me out of school half-time since last November. I am still struggling to heal and it is May. I am thankful for what I learned last summer, but I lost almost all of my senior year because of it.

While volunteering on the Azuero, Panama Amigos project in the summer of 2010, I had the most incredible experience getting to know a beautiful group of people in an unbelievable place. From learning how to lead the school kids through activities, walking around and introducing ourselves to everyone in the community, facilitating the collection of support and work for the community center construction project, and then finally saying goodbye, I learned so much about myself and the world. It was an experience that I am ever thankful that I had, and will always remember. My host family and I still talk regularly.

This was the best program for me! I did it right before my senior year in high school, when I came back I saw the world in a whole different light! I made amazing friends and was fluent in Spanish when I got back home (when i arrived i had just completed level 2 spanish in high school). I always felt completely safe, especially the time that one of my teammates cut her hand on a knife and we were rushed to the city center and taken care of immediately!

No other program gives you the same amount of freedom and responsibility as Amigos and Costa Rica is full of warm, friendly and welcoming people, all excited to share their culture. Costa Rica is an extremely diverse country and their clear Spanish makes it one of the best places to improve on your speaking skills. One of the best summers I've ever had.

I was a supervisor in 2010. There is great support from the Panamanian partnering agencies including MINSA and Panamá Verde. The volunteers are greatly supported by staff and the program is experiencing growth with national panamanian volunteers as well as additional latin american youth volunteers.

The AMIGOS program in general is amazing and any youth looking for the opportunity to expand their horizons should look into the program.

I have been with AMIGOS for 4 years now, and as it continues to grow, I have watched so many kids--including myself--flourish and become confident, independent, curious young adults. No other program for students gives the same level of responsibility paired with freedom. AMIGOS provides kids with experiences they will never have under any other circumstance, and I think it is extremely valuable in this sense. Some of the most transformative moments of my life took place when I was an AMIGOS volunteer.

I spent seven weeks in Ecuador with Amigos de las Americas. It was the most powerful expreience I have ever had. I lived with a host family but I ate lunch with many other families, that way I got to meet everyone in my community. After eating I would go and teach camps with themes provided by Plan International. Afterward my partner and I would meet with community leaders to discuss our Community Based Initiative (building public restrooms). After a meeting we would walk around the community and play with the kids or help with chores and cooking. Once a week, out supervisor would visit and accompany us on our daily activities.