What's Involved

 

Most of the placements offered by AMA involve teaching of some sort (elementary, secondary, language classes, mentoring, tutoring), youth work, parish ministry, Hispanic ministry, community work, advocacy, cooperation with l’Arche communities, or health care.   However, through our Assumption sister organizations and other collaborating mission partners, we are flexible in finding projects that match the skills and gifts that AMA applicants have to share.

Applicants should consider the following list of skills needed when discerning an AMA year of service:

• Knowledge of the language of the host country
• Experience working with youth
• Creative, computer, and/or people skills
• Willingness to learn new skills
• Professional qualifications - teachers especially!
• Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), where applicable
• An ability to work alone and in a team; self-motivation and direction
• An ability to adapt and integrate into new cultures and ways of living
• Willingness to grow in faith
• Comfort in working alongside vowed religious
• Lots of enthusiasm, energy, and commitment!
• Interest in peace and justice issues and empowering the poor

***After considering this list, please refer to the requirements for application.  The process of applying usually takes about a month.  Applications and acceptances for sites are taken on a first-come, first-served basis until all positions are filled. ***

Program Specifications:

• Terms of Service: One to two years (renewable).
• Requirements: $15.00 application fee. Completed application form (with special attention to the personal statement).  Two recommendations (one personal, one professional), physical exam and psychological exam required. Personal interview required. Four-year college degree required.  Language proficiency, depending on country of mission. 
• Benefits: Room and board. Volunteers usually live in a faith community. Stipend. Medical insurance provided in most cases, depending on the site. Some sites have a three-month waiting period before insurance is issued.  Travel expenses to and from the site are the responsibility of the volunteer. 
• Training: Mandatory one-week orientation program in Worcester, MA. Ongoing formation through the Religious of the Assumption or the Assumptionists. Re-orientation program offered for returning volunteers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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"I must remind myself that I came here to serve, to volunteer for a year, but that after one year the services this place and I will render each other will be but sprouts in the compost of our experiences. It is only over time, as the year’s experiences and emotions work their way into our minds and hearts that the true services we will provide to each other will begin to take hold – that the growth we will inspire in each other will slowly mature into our lives."

Tim Hoppe

AMA, 2003-2004   

 

"....In France I always had enough of everything; I had a happy childhood, a happy life… I never needed anything. So, in each task I have here, I think about that. It is the reason why I became an AMA. It’s the reason why each day I am here, I wake up and I want to do my best with all of these people.

And that makes more sense in mentoring because I try to give to those kids more chances in  life, the chances I had. I never wait to receive something back. I do everything for them. But one day, I received a “thanks” from a 6 year old kid and at that moment I knew what I was doing made sense. If you are looking for God: He is everybody, He is Society, He is Life. You see Him each time you feel some gladness from a person: for a child, it’s easy. You can see God in every smile."

Pierre Tardivo

AMA, 2007-2008