College-level course curriculum provided by Tufts University faculty, Spanish language instruction, career mentorship, and a volunteership placement create a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students to understand their role in their community and grow as leaders.
Faculty from Tufts University's Tisch College of Civic Life lead modules on topics like civic engagement, cultural humility, and leadership.
Spanish lessions tailored to your level by instructors in Latin America. Join the weekly Language Café, an engaging time for real conversation in Spanish and English.
An opportunity to safely plug in to an organization in the U.S. or Latin America working in areas such as public health, food security, and civic engagement in the era of COVID-19.
We match students with a career mentor. Throughout the semester, students connect with their mentor to delve into their personal leadership style, explore career paths, and more!
Lean into important work on racial equity and justice across the Americas through facilitated coursework. Complement this curriculum with workshops from leaders taking action in their communities.
Dive into your own culture and learn to understand cultural bias, the role of language in culture, and global citizenship. Virtually visit AMIGOS partner agencies in Latin America working to empower youth and create strong healthy local communities. Make friends with students around the world!
A hallmark of the Civic Action Gap Semester is the opportunity to complete a volunteer civic placement - a "volunteership."
Focus on issues you're passionate about while working with professionals across a variety of fields such as public health, equality and justice, and food security. Plug in virtually and take action safely during the era of COVID-19.
Students will be placed in volunteerships with community organizations in the United States or Latin America, depending on Spanish fluency.
Yo Quiero Yo Puedo is a Mexican civil society organization that facilitates human, social, and economic development.
CLAS works to create a community of Latin Americanist students, scholars, and practitioners; to develop innovative policy solutions through our unique network; and to enhance public understanding of Latin American culture and politics in the United States.
The Girls Empowerment Network mission is to ignite the power in girls by teaching them the skills to thrive and believe in their ability to be unstoppable. GIRLS addresses an increasing trend among middle school aged girls – a systematic decline and sometimes permanent loss of self-esteem, the outcome of which can be devastating: epidemic levels of anorexia/bulimia, self-mutilation, depression, low academic achievement, teen pregnancy, and drug abuse.
Scott Horsley is NPR’s Chief Economics Correspondent. He reports on ups and downs in the national economy as well as fault lines between booming and busting communities.
Horsley spent a decade on the White House beat, covering both the Trump and Obama administrations. Before that, he was a San Diego-based business reporter for NPR, covering fast food, gasoline prices, and the California electricity crunch of 2000. He also reported from the Pentagon during the early phases of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Horsley earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and an MBA from San Diego State University. He is an AMIGOS alumnus (’83, ’84) and currently lives in Washington, D.C.
Cecilia is a Mexican feminist and human rights advocate with over a decade of combined experience working in the civil society sector, the public sector and as an independent consultant to advance gender equality.
As Regional EM2030 Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean at Equal Measures 2030, she works with girls and women's rights organizations in the region to strengthen their data-driven advocacy skills to advance gender equality and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Cecilia holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Gender, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.
Ambassador Arnold Chacon is an AMIGOS alumnus and career member of the United States Foreign Service currently serving as the Senior Vice President at the National Defense University.
He has held senior leadership positions at the State Department, including Chief of Mission in Guatemala and Chief Human Capital Officer. He is widely recognized for his expertise in Latin American and European affairs, talent management, communication strategies and building a diverse workforce.
Grace Alderson, MPH, is an Operations Chief in the COVID-19 pandemic response in Santa Clara County, California. Pre-COVID-19, Grace was a Senior Community Health Planner, specializing in developing grassroots initiatives dedicated to health equity and increasing access to healthcare.
Over the past 10 years, Grace has worked on community health programming across the U.S. and throughout Mexico, Guatemala, Uruguay, Spain, Kenya, and China. Grace is an AMIGOS alumna (Volunteer in Mexico ’03, Paraguay ’04, Project Supervisor in Costa Rica ’06 and Associate Project Director in Nicaragua in ’07.)
Josh Fryday is California’s Chief Service Officer, leading the organization California Volunteers, and an AMIGOS alumnus.
Before this role, Josh was the mayor and city council member of Novato, CA. In his professional capacity, Josh served as President of Golden State Opportunity, working to provide financial security to low-income working people throughout California. He has also served as Chief Operating Officer for NextGen Climate, a leading national organization focused on climate change and clean energy.
Examine your strengths and find your personal leadership style! Meet regularly with a mentor, who will support you in exploring your career path.
Learn about social change across the Americas. Receive training on racial equity and justice and reflect on the role of inequality in society, your own life, and your volunteership.
Apply your leadership skills at your volunteership. Identify critical issues within your community and take an active role in creating positive social change. Learn how to engage in civic action initiatives you're passionate about - locally, nationally, and globally.
The only university-wide college of its kind, Tisch College studies and promotes the civic and political engagement of young people at Tufts University, in our communities, and in our democracy.
Amigos de las Americas (AMIGOS) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1965 that provides youth leadership, cultural exchange, and immersive service experiences in the U.S. and Latin America.