Arcos Learning Abroad Reviews

I have never experienced such a warm welcome from a program. The minute I got into my designated country, I felt safe. My first interaction with Arcos was a hug from one of the program directors, and it set the feeling for the entire month I was there. My host family was the nicest, and even when I got sick, the program directors were there to support me and help me get back on my feet. I learned far more during my time abroad than several of my college terms combined. Every trip to another area was deeply educational and very fun. Even if I never get the chance to travel again, I'll be happy to know I spent a month with probably the best learning abroad program available.

I studied abroad in Heredia, Costa Rica in June/July 2026. I took two Spanish courses at Universidad Politécnica Internacional, as well as having the opportunity to go on different excursions and cultural activities. This was genuinely the best month of my life, and I fell so deeply in love with this country. My host family, the Arcos directors, and my professors were all such lovely people who helped me to have the best experience possible. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity, and I'm already planning on visiting Costa Rica again whenever I have the chance.

Mil gracias to our guide and the Arcos team for organizing our trip! I had one of the most incredible experiences being in Spain this summer. We went to so many places in Andalusia and northern Spain in Galicia. There is so much to explore. Also the Camino de Santiago was something I had on my bucket list and to have had this experience was definitely unforgettable! We went to Madrid, Granada, Malaga, and all the little towns during our Camino trip. Our last stop was Santiago de Compostela and we stayed there for a few days.

I spent a month in Oaxaca and I have no regrets. I really feel like I learned things about myself I never noticed until now. For one, I took a hispanic Heritage Speakers class where it delved more into the nitty gritty of gramatical rules in Spanish. I also really enjoyed the trips at El Monte Alban which allowed my group and I to learn about the history of the Zapotecs and the worthy hike in Hierve el Agua as well. A lot to do which can be overwhelming at times, it's worth to recharge when needed. It's really important to speak up when something doesn't feel right, it's better not to suffer in silence. Overall, I really enjoyed my time there.

The Oaxaca program was one of the most fun summer experiences. It offered so much social and cultural enrichment that I’ve never encountered before. A great aspect of the trip was how much fun the experience was in a group, who were very friendly. It offered a unique approach to Oaxaca city. The classes were great, and professor Kim Potowski made sure we had an enjoyable and engaging experience with our subject materials, which I appreciated. The food we tried on the program was also delicious, and I loved how the food and excursions were tied into the lesson plans for our classes. Overall, it was an experience I’d recommend to anyone considering studying abroad for the summer, as Oaxaca is the perfectly charming choice for an adventurous summer.

This was one of the best experiences of my life. I’m extremely grateful with my school and Arcos for their orientation and guidance. The flights were great, the classes were very informational and adventurous as well, the only thing that I would evaluate would be the home stay, me and my roommate did not get to eat a lot of food traditional from Spain, it was something that I was looking forward to, but I wasn’t able to do. Still, it is a great program for college students and I would definitely recommend it to others!

The staff was supportive and friendly, and I definitely felt safe and heard by them.

As a fourth-year student at the University of Illinois Chicago, I have prioritized discovering what interests me as I broaden my intellect through the opportunities I participate in and learn from. My resume showcases my drive to be in communities and engage in them to foster positive change. I have been a mentor in my college’s Peer Mentoring Program, participated in acclaimed programs like APA Future Leaders in Psychiatry, was selected as a student to represent my college in a panel with the governor of Illinois, J.B. Pritzker, and have experience as an intern in organizations like W. Clement & Jessie Stone Foundation. Such roles have helped me learn how to work with others, be a leader, cultivate solutions to problems that may arise, and work with a diverse range of people.

This was my first time on a short-term (spring break) study abroad trip, and it was a wonderful experience. It's very different from a 4-5 week program because you do so much in a brief time! Arcos Learning Abroad created a program that allowed us to learn, experience, and immerse ourselves in Oaxacan culture. The program was focused on healthcare, and we had a variety of excellent experiences that gave us a broad overview of healthcare in Mexico, from traditional and homeopathic practices to allopathic medicine. We met practitioners of traditional medicine, visited a regenerative farm cultivating medicinal herbs, and had a cooking lesson themed "food as medicine". We also visited a public hospital, a pediatric hospital, Oaxaca's Hospital for Children, and sat for a lecture on the Mexican healthcare system at the Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca (UABJO). Finally, we went to a class for future nurses at Universidad La Salle, Oaxaca. But the trip wasn't only focused on Medicine. You can't go to Oaxaca without visiting Monte Albán (always inspiring), having nieves in the Jardín Sócrates (Plaza de las Nieves), visiting the markets, and sampling the cuisine. We did all that and more! It was a fun-packed, stimulating trip. Our on-site director/guide/expert on all things Oaxaca, "Tonio", was very knowledgeable, kind, and fun, and he curated experiences and excursions that were meaningful as well as enjoyable. It was seven days, packed with unique opportunities to learn about, and view first-hand, aspects of Healthcare in Mexico, from traditional to modern practices and perspectives.

I had so much fun in Granda, Spain with Arcos. Marcel was a great guide. You could tell her really appreciated the history of Granda and wanted to share it with us. He always provided great information and did a great job leading our group. All the other guides that accompanied us on excursions were wonderful as well. The excursions were well planned and organized and supported our course. They also provided many recommendations of activities for us to do on our own. Overall, I had a wonderful time on the trip and would recommend it to anyone who is interested!

Amazing experience! The trip was so well organized and planned in advance to accommodate our group to make it an amazing experience. Marcel was the best guide I’ve had in all my travels abroad and I can’t put it into words of just how spectacular his knowledge of the country was. He always made sure that we were okay and to call him in case of anything. He made my experience the best. Visiting Madrid was fun, and on the way to Granada, we stopped at Toledo. This town was small but beautiful. Lots of shops, the square was busy, and the people were so nice. Spending my time in Granada, I felt safe and my homestay was super welcoming. Had an trip overall, and I would recommend visiting Spain.