HOW TO APPLY
AMIGOS gives you an exciting chance to have an adventure and explore the world outside of a classroom. You will live in a new country and work on sustainable community service projects while living with a host family. These experiences prepare you for your future, improve your Spanish, and build your confidence. You develop leadership skills that will set you apart in college and throughout your career. With AMIGOS, you will learn about the world by living in it. Click here to explore our Summer Programs.
READY TO START YOUR APPLICATION?
- Click here to start your application.
- Complete your application.
- An AMIGOS representative will contact you to set up an interview.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
November 4th: Financial assistance application deadline
December 9th: Final deadline to apply to the San Diego Chapter
INFO SESSIONS
Wed, Sept. 18 / 6:00 – 8:00 pm / Cardiff by the Sea Branch Library
Sun, Sept. 29 / 1:30 – 3:30 pm / Encinitas Community Center
Sun, Oct. 13 / 1:30 – 3:30 pm / Encinitas Community Center
Wed, Oct. 23 / 5:30 – 7:30 pm / La Jolla Riford Library
INTERVIEWS
Interviews will take place at info sessions. See dates and times above.
ALUMNI
October 17th at 6:00 PM at Karl Strauss Brewery
Please join us for a friendly gathering with other fellow alumni to share stories, reminisce, and hear recent AMIGOS stories from new alumni. You can also learn how to get more involved with AMIGOS again. RSVP here!
ABOUT
The AMIGOS San Diego Chapter is part of a 25 Chapter Network that recruits, trains, and supports AMIGOS volunteers and families in their local community. Volunteers from San Diego and outlying areas train together as a group before leaving for their summer experience in Latin America. Our board supports volunteers with packing, pre-departure immunizations, fundraising, and overall preparation.During the months of December through June, San Diego Chapter participants will take part in local training and fundraising events as they prepare for their AMIGOS experience.
Upcoming Events
TBD
San Diego Volunteers Attend:
Canyon Crest Academy • Chaparral • El Camino • El Capitan • Francis Parker • Great Oak • La Costa Canyon • Mater Dei • Murrieta Mesa • Murrieta Valley • Pacific Ridge • Pacific Trails • Point Loma • Sage Creek • San Diego High School of International Studies • San Dieguito Academy • Santa Monica • Torrey Pines • Troy High • Vistamar • Westview
FEES & FUNDING
The San Diego Chapter covers AMIGOS program costs through a combination of family payments and fundraising activities. This approach allows us to keep costs to families low while teaching valuable fundraising and community outreach skills. All volunteers are required to fully take part in each fundraising activity as fundraising skills are an important component of AMIGOS training program and raise awareness of AMIGOS programs in the community.
LETTER WRITING/DONOR CONTACTS/Online Giving Campaign
Each volunteer is required to send out a combination of letters and emails to friends, family and supporters to request individual tax-deductible donations(the revenue from this effort is pooled). Letters are written by the participant with considerable help provided by the chapter during the process. Each volunteer is expected to fundraise $2,700. We will provide a template and provide support to volunteers throughout the process. In the past we have hosted letter writing parties.
Extra Fundraiser
We have also hosted restaurant nights, garage sales, and other creative events to raise money. We are always open to ideas!
Additional funding opportunities
All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS qualify to apply for the Alumni Award. More info here.
FEES
Application Fee: $50
Family Fee: $4,250
Fundraising Goal: $2,700
FEES INCLUDE
- Round-trip international airfare
- Training materials and workshops
- Secondary short-term international medical insurance
- Program excursions
- Food, lodging, and transportation in Latin America
- Supplies for community project and extracurricular activities
- 24-hour On Call Emergency Management System
- Travel hotline and support
Click here for more information about our Fees & Funding.
DUE DATES AND PAYMENT OPTIONS
- Participants pay their family fees beginning December 2019. The fee must be paid by April 15, 2020.
- Fees can be paid online or by mail.
- Payment plans are available.
FINANCIAL AID
AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of participants from diverse backgrounds. AMIGOS provides needs-based financial assistance with distribution determined by family income, number of dependents and special financial circumstances. We provide amounts of $500–$2,000 to qualified applicants as deductions on the family fee. Please contact fundraising@amigos-sandiego.org for information and details about specific individual grants available.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FAQ
- Must apply by November 4th to be considered for financial assistance
- We will request a tax return.
- Financial assistance is both merit- and need-based.
- Awards up to $3,000 are available.
TRAINING
The transformative AMIGOS experience starts before leaving home.
With 50 years of experience preparing young people for travel and service abroad, AMIGOS training offers unparalleled global youth leadership development. Pre-departure training equips volunteers with the critical thinking, communication skills, and technical knowledge they need to make a meaningful impact across cultures while staying healthy and safe. The San Diego Chapter AMIGOS training is a youth-led, experiential learning that prepares volunteers for their AMIGOS experience, builds a community of youth and families with shared values, and develops life-skills to help volunteers succeed beyond AMIGOS. Training sessions are facilitated by the Training Team and include guest speakers from the community and the San Diego Chapter Board of Directors.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM INCLUDE:
- Unparalleled leadership development
- Cross-cultural awareness and understanding
- Hands-on training for technical aspects of the program
- Extensive health and safety training
- Opportunities to practice Spanish
- Creating a community of young people with shared values
THE TIME COMMITMENT FOR TRAINING ACTIVITIES INCLUDES:
- Four weekend day trainings
- Three overnight retreats (includes one post-summer)
- Service learning project
- Four online assessments to determine readiness for the summer
Training Calendar
Sunday, 12/15
Welcome Meeting
Encinitas Community Center
Saturday/Sunday, 1/11–1/12
Overnight Retreat
San Clemente SB
Saturday, 2/22
Training – All Day
Saturday/Sunday 3/7–3/8
Overnight Retreat
San Clemente SB
Sunday, 4/26
Training
Encinitas Community Center
Sunday, 5/31
Despedida
Encinitas Community Center
Saturday/Sunday, 8/22–8/23
Bienvenida/Welcome Home Party
FUNDRAISING
All volunteers are required to fully take part in each fundraising activity as fundraising skills are an important component of AMIGOS training program and raise awareness of AMIGOS programs in the community. Volunteers receive considerable help with regard to fundraising strategies, and the experience gained in this effort will definitely build important skills!
LETTER WRITING/DONOR CONTACTS
Each volunteer is required to send out a combination of letters and emails to friends and family, to request individual tax-deductible donations (the revenue from this effort is pooled). Letters are written by the student with considerable help provided by the chapter during the process.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rosa Vargas
President
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Sarah Bertman
Vice President/Co-Training Director
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Roger Williams
Interim Treasurer/Co-Fundraising Coordinator
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Randy Proal
Co-Fundraising Coordinator
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Miranda Kuehn
Co-Recruitment Coordinator/Parent Liaison
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Delaney Crowe
Co-Recruitment Coordinator
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Laura Darken
Co-Recruitment Coordinator
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Nicole Jackson
Co-Training Director
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Mike Nelson
Medical Director
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Jill Roth
Language Director
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Thomas Goode
Legal Counsel
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Lynn Karle
Marketing Director
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Brooke Levan
Student Liaison
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