686. Learn, Serve, Explore: How Students of Service Is Shaping the Next Generation of Global Leaders (Amir Samandi, Students of Service)
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Meet Amir Samandi 🌎, founder of Students of Service (SOS) in San Antonio.
In this episode, Amir shares how one study abroad experience sparked a bold vision: to equip young people to become global citizens through service and international learning. What started as a leap of faith is now a thriving nonprofit shaping the next generation of empathetic, purpose-driven leaders.
This conversation is especially for founders and nonprofit leaders navigating growth, doubt, and sustainability.
You’ll hear:
Why courage isn’t the absence of fear — it’s acting despite it
The two-question filter that guides every decision at SOS
How service and global learning are shaping Gen Z into purpose-driven changemakers
A reminder to trust the process, do the work, and surround yourself with people who believe in the mission
Young Leaders with a Global Perspective: Learn, Serve, Explore
Students of Service empowers young people to grow as leaders through a three-part model:
Learn: Discover the world and themselves through hands-on experiences and reflection.
Serve: Make a tangible impact in local communities—helping at animal shelters, homeless shelters, and a variety of other community projects.
Explore: Travel the globe on immersive, experiential trips—visiting countries across every continent except Antarctica—and see the world from new perspectives.
“Surround yourself with the people who are going to encourage you and maybe even help.”
Episode Transcript
Download Full Episode Transcript Here
Episode Highlights:
Courage and community: moving forward despite fear (0:00)
Amir Samandi’s journey: multicultural roots and life-changing study abroad (2:42)
From State Department to classroom teaching: the spark for Students of Service (5:49)
Launching SOS: creating a nonprofit from scratch with community support (8:35)
Alumni impact and volunteer-driven growth (9:55)
Guiding principles for SOS: “Is it good for kids? Is it sustainable?” (17:28)
Preparing the next generation of leaders: empathy, agency, and hope (13:44)
Moments of philanthropy: students taking action to help others (20:19)
Amir’s One Good Thing: “Elevate the people around you to be their best selves; it makes the world a better place.” (22:54)
Powerful Quotes
“I had this idea that I would take young people through community service and through travel abroad, and help them have a more global perspective.” – Amir Samandi
“None of this would have been possible without all the army of volunteers that came through.” – Amir Samandi
“We’re building the leaders that the world needs right now, equipping them with empathy, perspective, and hope.” – Amir Samandi
“Every opportunity we take on, we weigh against two questions: is it good for kids? Is it sustainable?” – Amir Samandi
“The biggest antidote to cynicism is being around young people.” – Amir Samandi
“People just want to care. They want to know that people care, and they want to care for their neighbor.” – Amir Samandi
“Elevate the people around you to be their best selves, and that makes the world a better place.” – Amir Samandi
“Every single donation, every kind word, every small act - it all mattered when starting out.” – Amir Samandi
“I think the learn, serve, explore model is a mantra that can help change communities.” – Amir Samandi
“When someone’s living their best life, going through less trauma and seeing more connectivity and empathy, the world becomes better.” – Amir Samandi
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