Arcos: Programs for Teens in Spain

Our daughter had an amazing experience on Arcos Journeys this Summer in Granada, Spain. She gained a newfound love for the Spanish language, culture and she also turned a corner in both maturity and independence. She is also more confident in her Spanish speaking now. She also made lifelong friends and did not want to leave! The directors are well-trained and so communicative. We are already signed up for this winter to go to Costa Rica with Arcos again and next summer to Oaxaca! Don't choose anyone else, this program is the best, hands down!

This summer camp was a life time experience. Walking through the Camino de Santiago we discovered new places, met new people and learned many interesting things. The people that took care of us were absolutely incredible and they made sure that we were fine throughout the experience. The landscapes we saw and the small villages we went were abnormal as well as the hole team that made everyone feel welcome and confident. It was one of the best camps I’ve ever been to and I strongly recommend it to everyone who loves discovering new things!

Our two teenage children (age 15 and 17) participated in the Camino hike in June 2025. They both had a fantastic experience, in a small group with Helder as their guide. It was their first time being in Europe and they enjoyed all the sites, food and culture. The hike was challenging on some days with the hot weather, but they pushed through and felt a real sense of accomplishment and camaraderie as they completed pilgrimage. It was a unique and rich experience they will no doubt treasure for the rest of their lives! Very grateful to Arcos for running such a fantastic program.

I honestly cannot find any fault with this amazing program. Arcos offers a well-balanced model that includes language instruction. cultural experiences and an "insider" view via a host family stay. The host families are well-vetted, as is the language program. Students on our trip wanted to bring their language teachers back to our school in the U.S. to continue their instruction! Despite near-constant rain and chilly weather, not one student complained. This had much to do with the flexibility of the Arcos Journeys Abroad staff, who made shifts on the spot to accommodate the group when the weather was uncooperative. For instance, one day we spent time in a tea house prior to the walk in the Albaicín (the historic Moorish/UNESCO site neighborhood), allowing us to experience this unique setting while waiting out the heavy rain. This was not initially in the plans, but Arcos made it happen. Also, Granada is culturally and historically rich, and to see places such as the Alhambra in person made real what had always been an abstraction within a history course. This program provides layers of value.

I've never experienced something like this, in terms of being outdoors but it was so much fun! German, Manolo, and the other guides made it such a memorable experience. I learned so much more Spanish because you're talking to almost everyone, but you talk in English as well. You're with the outdoors group for almost the entire day so you become really close with the people around you, which makes you feel in a comfortable and safe community. There is never a dull moment because you're constantly with people around you who make you laugh, and it's just a wonderful time!

This experience has made me grow in many ways. With Spanish being spoken everywhere around me, I learned so much, and improved my Spanish in a way that I wouldn't have been able to anywhere else. I took part in the summer festivals going on at the time, and became immersed in the culture as well as the language. Further, my homestay was very nice, and talking with her improved my Spanish as well. She was accommodating, respectful, and overall nice to be around. Thank you for the amazing experience!!!

Our 16 year old loved this experience! He gained a lot of independence and maturity during his time, and had a blast on all the adventures. They hiked, biked, and did water activities. The Arcos instructors were excellent and good communicators. He is already making plans to do another Arcos program next summer. As a parent, I really liked that he connected with other high school students from across the country, who became good friends. And I appreciated that the instructors were all locals who knew the environment very well.

Arcos summer Spanish Language Program in Granada was an excellent experience for my High School daughter. Granada was a fun, beautiful city. She was really able to walk, experience, and participate in Granada life. When we picked her up she knew the city really well and she loved the chance to become a resident for 3 weeks. Arcos coordinated to for the students language classes at the university, which they had every morning. She had other teens and college students in her classes from all around the world. It was a great part of her experience that she built diverse friends. The program provided enough structure with activities in the evenings and on weekends. This gave them a chance to see cultural sites, go to the beach, do art, see Flamenco, hike in the mountains and small villages. The homestay worked well. She enjoyed having 2 other American roommates, which made the newness easier. The locations of the homestays were well selected and she enjoyed her neighborhood. She found her host family friendly. She enjoyed the independence of coming and going. It was an excellent 3 week experience. Arcos was organized. They gave us the information we needed at the right times, including information about flights the best debit cards to use overseas. They provided support and also freedom to make it a success. We're super happy with the experience as parents and I know she loved going!