Cultural Immersion & Volunteering Abroad in Costa Rica

This experience changed my life. Not only did I make new friends but I learned lessons that I will keep with my throughout the rest of my life. It gave me a new understanding of a different culture and improved my Spanish so much. I went in with no idea how it was gonna be and this experience definitely exceeded my expectations. Trying new food, meeting new people, and learning more and more Spanish were some of my favorite parts of the experience. I would definitely recommend AMIGOS to anyone!!

First off I recommend amigos to anyone remotely interested in getting an international experience. My year was unique due to COVID so that meant I did not do a home stay but instead traveled in a group of 19 volunteers. Because this was the first year they tried this type of program there of course were a few unforeseen challenges but the staff worked hard to overcome these. Overall the activities were meaningful however the hands on work was much better than the activities conducted in the hotel basement. It overall was a great experience in large part due to my fellow volunteers.

I signed up to go to Costa Rica with AMIGOS after my brother had gone on an AMIGOS trip himself in 2019 to the Dominican Republic. I went alone, and while I didn't know anyone who was going on the trip with me, I was excited even though I knew that my experience would be different from my brother's due to COVID restrictions. Despite missing out on the host family part of AMIGOS that is normally a staple, I still had an amazing time on the trip. Everyone I came across, such as staff and fellow volunteers, were very friendly and approachable. I learned a lot about agriculture and how farmers adapt and work with their surroundings to make the best product possible. All in all, I felt like I grew significantly as a person thanks to my time in Costa Rica while making connections with great people and a great place.

I was in the Discover AMIGOS Costa Rica project for two weeks in 2019 when I was 14. It was really fun and Costa Rica has so much wildlife and bio diversity. We spent one week at the beach at a sea turtle sanctuary working at the nesting sites and another week in a host family and volunteering at a local school. The thing that was the most special for me was all the animals that I saw and how the people in Costa Rica really cared about the environment and protecting it. It also made me confident and curious about traveling to other countries. I recommend this program - it is a great way to meet new people and go to a different country without being a tourist. You feel like you really get to know a place even if it is just two weeks.

Spending a month living in Costa Rica through Amigos was the greatest experience of my life thus far. In 2017, I volunteered through Amigos and spent a month living in rural Costa Rica with a host family. The memories I created, conversations I shared, and connections I formed will forever impact my global perspective. No other abroad program is as immersive or powerful as Amigos. At 15, I was able to live in a foreign country, and work with community members on a community based project. I recommend Amigos to anyone that is interested in gaining a broader global perspective and challenging their outlook on life. Although at times it was difficult to be away from home and live in a new place without hot water, wifi, and other luxuries, my experience with Amigos is something that I will forever cherish and be grateful for.

I went in the summer of 2019; I loved meeting new people from around the US and the world. It was hands down, one of the best experiences I've had in my life. Not only were we surrounded by amazing participants, but the staff was so supportive and encouraged us to get out of our comfort zones. My host family welcomed my Amigos partners and me with open arms and took us in as apart of their community. I loved learning more about Latinx culture, and I hope to participate in another Amigos program in the future.

I went on this trip summer 2019 and it was the best experience of my life. I meet so many cool people from a range of states and countries and I had the opportunity to live with a loving and welcoming host family. The amigos staff was very supportive in our growth and learning and anything else we needed. By living with a host family we were able to fully amerce ourselves in the culture which was one of my favorite parts. I couldn’t have had a better experience and I hope to do another Amigos program in the future.

My daughter wanted a Spanish immersion program and the environmental sustainability focus of the Amigos PZ program caught her eye. As a parent, the 5 month training leading up to departure was key to her success in Costa Rica. The training helped her get comfortable with the idea of being disconnected from home and gave her the confidence that she would know what to do once there. It helped us to know that she would be prepared for anything. The training was culturally sensitive, met the teens where they were at and really focused on teamwork. She grew in so many ways and returned to us with newfound confidence and resilience that she continues to draw on when faced with challenges. Fundraising for "tuition" makes it a more affordable option for study abroad.