We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits 686. Learn, Serve, Explore: How Students of Service Is Shaping the Next Generation of Global Leaders - Amir Samandi
Feb 25, 2026
Amir Samandi, founder and executive director of Students of Service, builds global citizens through local service and international learning. He recounts a life-changing study abroad that sparked SOS, explains the two-question decision filter they use, and describes how hands-on travel and volunteer-driven programs shape empathetic, purpose-driven young leaders.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
China Trip Helped A Student Reach Notre Dame
- Christian (Chex) went on an SOS trip to China in 2016 and returned with confidence that helped him earn a full scholarship to Notre Dame.
- He is now an actuary and serves as SOS vice chair on the board.
Alumni And Volunteers Are Core Capacity
- Volunteers and alumni are core capacity: SOS runs 10–15 service events monthly with 100–150 student volunteers each.
- Alumni now serve on the board and adult volunteers (parents, teachers, corporates) sustain programming.
Be Ready To Volunteer Through Early Years
- Be prepared to volunteer and delay salary early; Amir served as volunteer executive director for eight years before going full time.
- That unpaid period allowed SOS to scale to a million-dollar budget and a five-person staff by 2026.