The Amity Intern Program is the heartbeat of Park Spanish Immersion — and the reason so many families say PSI is unlike any school they've ever been part of.
Each year, the PSI PTO funds young adults from Spanish-speaking countries to work alongside teachers in every K–5 classroom. Students call them Amities (ah-MEE-tees). They're not aides or assistants — they're people who bring their language, their culture, and their whole selves into your child's daily experience. Kids who have Amity Interns don't just learn Spanish. They learn that the world is bigger than they thought, and that people from very different places can feel like family.
This program exists because PSI families support it.
Este programa existe porque las familias de PSI lo apoyan.
Who are the Amities?
Amity Interns are young adults between the ages of 21 and 30 from Spanish-speaking countries. They are students or recent graduates with an education focus — most have teaching experience and have worked with youth. They are selected for their friendliness, openness, maturity, and enthusiasm. Each intern has passed a police or security background check from their home country and is screened as part of the U.S. visa process.
Each year's group brings a different mix of countries, personalities, and stories into our school. See who's here this year on the Meet Our Amities tab.
Two ways to get involved
🏠 Host Family
An Amity Intern lives in your home for one semester — fall (late August to mid-January) or spring (mid-January to mid-June).
They ride the bus with your kids, join your family routines, and bring their culture into your home. You provide a bedroom, meals, and some transportation. The only hard requirement: a private bedroom with a door that locks.
Families who have hosted describe it as one of the most meaningful things they've done during their time at PSI.
🤝 Cousin Family
Support an Amity Intern throughout the full school year without hosting them in your home.
Cousin Families provide a friendly presence outside the host home — outings, occasional rides, a meal, a familiar face. You set the pace. There's no minimum commitment, just genuine connection.
Cousin Families are especially valuable for Amities during school breaks or when their host family travels.
Think you can't host? You might be surprised.
A few more things worth knowing
- Interns are not babysitters or au pairs. They participate in household responsibilities like any family member — occasional help with homework or short-term supervision is normal, but full childcare is not part of the arrangement.
- Communication is the key to a great experience. Be upfront about your family's routines and expectations. Most challenges that come up have simple solutions when addressed directly and early.
- Vacations: You're not obligated to bring your intern on family trips. If you travel, Amity Coordinators can help arrange for them to stay with their Cousin Family.
- Health coverage: All interns are required to have health insurance for the duration of their stay in the U.S.
- Cars: The PSI Amity Program prohibits interns from driving host family vehicles. Interns can ride the school bus and are encouraged to walk, bike, and use public transit.
Ready to get involved?
Both applications open each spring for the following school year. Questions about either role before you apply? Email our Amity Coordinators — they'll talk you through it honestly.
Questions? Email psiamity@gmail.com or reach out to our Amity Coordinators through the Get Involved page.
I am because we are. | Soy porque somos.
Every year, a new group of young adults from Spanish-speaking countries joins our school community. This is who's here with us this year.
My name is Cris Miranda. I'm 23 years old and grew up in Mexico City, where I still live with my mom and three sisters. My mom works as an educational administrator, and my dad is a financial consultant. My sisters are at different stages of their studies and careers — one is a graphic designer, another is studying financial engineering, and the youngest is in marketing.
Most recently, I worked as a teacher in an elementary school. In my free time, I enjoy singing, exercising, reading, and dancing — I've taken many classes in Latin rhythms — and I also love riding my bike, visiting museums, attending concerts and cultural events, and being outdoors. Over the past year I've been part of a women's travel group exploring different parts of Mexico, which has been an incredible experience. I'm very excited to begin this new adventure in Minnesota, to share Mexican culture and language, and to learn more about life in the United States.
Hello, my name is Guillermo. I'm 21 years old and grew up in a small town called Peralta in Navarra, but I moved to Logroño to study for my teaching degree, which I just completed after four years. I'm very excited to start my internship.
I've always been very active. When I was younger I played chess and competed in local tournaments, practiced judo from age 9 to 13, and played soccer throughout my childhood and teenage years. During university I joined the basketball program — though I'll admit I'm not very good at it. Nowadays I practice kickboxing. In my free time I love spending time with family and friends, watching films, going for walks, traveling, playing board games, and reading books, especially in summer.
I have a younger sister named Tania, who is 18 and studying Business Administration, Management, and Law in Burgos. She plays both the Spanish guitar and the piano, and my father plays guitar too — music is a big part of our family life. We also have a little dog named Lara, who brings us a lot of joy.
My name is Lorena, and I'm from San Sebastián/Donostia, a beautiful coastal city in the Basque Country — a region with its own language (Basque) and culture. I come from a big, close-knit family of six: my parents Juan Pedro and Carmen, my older siblings Jon Ander and Ane, my little brother Álvaro, and me.
I recently graduated in Translating and Interpreting at UVa, focusing on English and German. During my final year, I received a scholarship to work at my university's International Relations office, where I helped improve the experience of incoming international students and encouraged others to study abroad. My hobbies include going to the gym, spending time with friends and family, reading, discovering new music, learning languages, and making crafts — lately I've been experimenting with air-dry clay to make trinket dishes. I'm really excited for the new school year at PSI, to explore different teaching methods, and to be part of this community.
My name is Madelin. I was born in El Salvador, in the city of Santiago de María, and grew up in the countryside in a village called San Andrés in the eastern part of the country. I spent my entire childhood there with my parents, Rosa and Arquímides, and my two younger sisters, Lesly and Brianny. Three years ago we moved to the city of San Miguel, but we still visit our village on weekends.
I'm currently in my fourth year of a Bachelor's degree in English at Gerardo Barrios University, and my goal is to become an English teacher. Since starting university I've volunteered as an English tutor for women in my city and served as an interpreter in a medical campaign. In my free time I love reading, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family. I'm very excited about the opportunity to be in Minnesota — I hope this experience will enrich my training as a future teacher and give me the chance to share the culture of my country.
Hello, my name is Nelson Vladimir Guevara Guevara. I was born on January 7, 2002, and I'm originally from El Salvador. I'm currently in my fifth year of a Bachelor's degree in English at Gerardo Barrios University.
I live with my mother and grandmother — my mother is a nurse, and I spend a lot of time with my grandmother. I like listening to music, playing video games, and watching videos on YouTube. I'm a technology enthusiast and I love anime. I'm the youngest in my family, and also the tallest. I like cold drinks and enjoy going for walks. I'm very excited to come to PSI and teach you more about the smallest country in the Americas — and to get to know you all.
My name is Jennifer Gabriela Gómez Flores, but you can call me Gabriela or Gaby. I'm 21 years old and from San Miguel, El Salvador. I live with my parents and two younger brothers and I'm currently studying for a Bachelor's degree in English Language.
I enjoy outdoor walks, exploring new places, and spending time indoors watching movies or playing games. I'm an open-minded and friendly person who loves learning from other cultures and sharing mine. I'm very excited to join the PSI community, to meet new people, and to create wonderful memories during my internship in Minnesota.
My name is Júlia Solans. I was born in 2002 and I'm from Benavent de Segrià, a small village in Lleida, Catalonia. I studied in Barcelona for five years to become a teacher in Early Childhood and Primary Education, with a specialization in Special Education Needs (NESE). During that time I also worked as a tutor and babysitter.
I come from a close-knit family: my father Joan, my mother Montse, and my younger brother Damià, who is 19. I also have a very strong bond with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and we often gather for family meals. In my free time I love cooking, shopping, walking, and going on excursions to the mountains and the beach. I also enjoy painting, creative activities, and playing the flute — music is an important part of my life. I consider myself adaptable and open to new experiences, and I'm very excited to come to Minnesota to share my culture, language, and traditions while learning about life in the United States.
Getting to know your child's Amity outside the classroom is one of the easiest ways to deepen your family's connection to PSI. Ask your child: "What did your Amity Intern teach you today?" It will open up the whole world.
I am because we are. | Soy porque somos.