Q&A with Sara Lamson

AMIGOS: How did your involvement in AMIGOS impact your life?

Sara: AMIGOS has impacted my life in profound ways.  It directly impacted my career path in terms of giving me a real interest in Latin America and international development.  With that, AMIGOS has influenced my academic interests. My experience as an AMIGOS Volunteer in high school spurred my decision to major in Conservation and Resource studies with a focus on Latin America, as well as the Spanish and Portuguese languages. Upon graduating from college, I worked several years at the Center for Latin American studies before leaving to pursue Masters at the Development Studies Institute (DESTIN) at the London School of Economics. I am certain would not be where I am today if it were not for AMIGOS.

AMIGOS: What drove you to participate in AMIGOS five times?

Sara: The program attracted me as a challenge, a way to see the world, and do something positive at the same time. I recognized how much I learned on each project and how many opportunities awaited me at each stage of the leadership ladder, from being a Volunteer and working in a community to managing the projects and all of the responsibilities that come with it. At each step, the organization offered a way to explore different parts of Latin America in a working capacity and a chance to engage with a variety of different communities, organizations, and people. And, the best part of all was that through all of these experiences I had the opportunity work with and build long lasting friendships with a lot of amazing and inspiring individuals, all of whom I have learned from and shared some extraordinary moments.

AMIGOS: What is your favorite AMIGOS memory?

Sara: My favorite memory is also one of the largest challenges! In 2003 our Project Staff in Paraguay piloted a new initiative with Junior Achievement Paraguay. The goal was to bring youth from Asuncion to volunteer with AMIGOS in the communities. Our staff rallied around this effort, and with the driving support of International Board member Martin Burt, five high school students from Asuncion were trained and placed in communities alongside our volunteers for a short period. The ability to work with my staff team and Junior Achievement to involve youth from the host country as AMIGOS volunteers as was really rewarding from beginning to end. I am very happy to know that the program is still running.

AMIGOS: What project are you currently working on?

Sara: At the Center for Latin American Studies our team is in the midst of preparing a film from our Annual Meeting of the US/Mexico Futures Forum, which took place Mexico City at the end of March.  This Forum, now in its seventh year, is a network of academics, public intellectuals, elected officials and members of the business community from both Mexico and the United States. This years’ meeting focused on the topics of alternative energy and climate change, immigration, and violence and drug policy. In addition, we are also in a period of publication of the next issue of the Berkeley Review of Latin American Studies, our biannual magazine, which is always an exciting process. Lastly, our Center is partnering with the National Resources Defense Council to host a study tour for a delegation from Costa Rica that is working on a strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2021. This is the first Latin American country to announce a national plan for carbon neutrality and we are looking forward to engaging with the NRDC and the Costa Rican delegation in that effort.

AMIGOS: Are you passionate about Latin American affairs or the Spanish language?

Sara: All of the above!  I am passionate about Latin America through and through. I have learned a tremendous amount by being at at CLAS at UC Berkeley these past years. I also try to explore new areas when I have the time to make trips to the region. You might also say I am a bit obsessed with Latin music, particularly rock, meringue & bachata.

AMIGOS: How do you stay involved with AMIGOS today?

Sara: I have been working to get the word out about AMIGOS on the UC Berkeley campus, and of course, attend AMIGOS alumni events. Most recently I am working with a small group to start a regional fundraising effort for the International Office in the San Francisco Bay Area (more participants welcome!).

AMIGOS: Why do you stay involved with AMIGOS?

Sara: My answer here is two-fold. First, I believe AMIGOS plays a critical role in providing a way for young people in the United States to gain international exposure, learn about issues related to poverty and development, improve language skills, and gain understandings about other cultures in Latin America. AMIGOS has a proven track record of galvanizing young people to care about issues and realities beyond our borders. Also of great importance is that AMIGOS has proven track record of shaping academic interests and setting people on career paths related to international development and public health – this I have seen in many PhD students here at UC Berkeley whose first exposure to and interest in the region came through AMIGOS and countless AMIGOS alumnae. Second, I believe that AMIGOS programs make a positive impact on the communities where they work, particularly amongst youth. Out of 40 plus years of experience, AMIGOS has grown into an organization that focuses on youth-to-youth engagement and fostering youth participation in the development programs of our partnering agencies in Latin America. I think this shift in focus to ‘youth leadership and participation’ in the Americas was a tremendous and important step. I will continue to be involved as the organization continues to focus on developing the next generation of leaders, both here and in Latin America.

AMIGOS: What advice would you give to volunteers going to Latin America with AMIGOS for the first time this summer?

Sara: I would ask that during their first weeks they focus on getting to know people and forming relationships within the community, rather than on getting to work right away. Forming relationships and building trust with community members is most critical to a successful program.

Photos: (Top) Sara enjoys a beautiful city view in Arequipa, Peru, in summer 2007. (Left) Sara poses for a photo with Colombian neo-figurative artist, who presented his Abu Ghraib exhibit at UC Berkeley.

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