Amanda Braun- SMr International Relations Volunteer

Amanda's Background and Travel Experience All Over the World

       Growing up in the suburbs, Amanda left the Minneapolis area to pursue her education at Colorado State University. She earned degrees in Spanish and Sociology, with minors in Latin American Studies and International Development.

Climbing into a temple in Sukothai, Thailand

Her love of Colorado and skills on the slopes led to a job as a ski instructor in Aspen where she has worked for five seasons. Amanda has traveled South America studying abroad in Chile, working at a backcountry ski resort in the shadow of Anconcagua, and finessing her Portuguese in Brazil.

Backcountry Skiing in the Andes

Standing in the shadow of Mt. Everest

While attending Colorado State University Amanda volunteered with Engineers Without Borders in El Salvador working to help two small villages gain access to clean water. For her undergraduate thesis she focused on new and changing water privatization utility policies in El Salvador. She also had worked as a volunteer with Experience Himalayan Nepal where she helped install water filters in a slum area of Kathmandu.

Backpacking Patagonia (Torres Del Paine)

Cross-cultural understanding is a cornerstone for her education and she is excited to continue her work in Central America. Her passion about securing clean water for people and fluency in Latin American culture and language makes her a pitch-perfect match for SMr team in Nicaragua.

Getting a tikka blessing from her nepali grandparent

Waterfall in Singaraja, Indonesia

Amanda at Machu Picchu

Holding an armadillo in Uyuni Bolivia