Arcos Learning Abroad

Program Reviews

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Cayla
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience

I spent two semesters in Oaxaca, Mexico with Arcos! The staff are super friendly and attentive. They are able to tailor a program to fit your needs, whether you want to spend a week or a semester abroad they can make it happen. My host family was amazing, they were super kind! We ate three meals a day together, and it helped me improve my Spanish. I went from being able to speak at an intermediate level, to speaking Spanish fluently and now I am able to speak Spanish in my job everyday. Arcos had many fun excursions planned, and they weren’t all the same so both semesters were unique and engaging! I was able to participate in many fun workshops like print making and painting alebrijes. I enjoyed my experience with Arcos abroad and recommend them for your study abroad experience.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Chapulines! (grasshoppers)
Pros
  • Excursions to many unique places
  • Friendly host family
  • University with teachers experienced with teaching Spanish as a second language
Cons
  • None (:
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Jaanika
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

12 Weeks of Pura Vida: Immersive Insights from My Costa Rican Study Abroad Adventure

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What was your funniest moment?
My host mom told me how to use the shower, turn it on a little for it to be warm and turn it all the way for it to get colder, well I didn't understand that, or I forgot. I turned it all the way to the left thinking like it was at home and it would be warm. It was not, it was cold. I thought everyone just took cold showers there, so did I...for 6 weeks of my trip until I told my host mom about it, she laughed so hard and re-explained the shower to me.
Pros
  • Directors always willing to help whoever, whenever
  • FOOD!
  • The scenery and history of the country
Cons
  • not a con for me but for others, not much English being spoke in public/stores
  • bus system is kind of hard to navigate
  • homesickness but it goes away
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Kayla
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Do it!!

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What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Our group gathered a bunch of local fruit at the market one day and got to try each of them. I had never before had nances and it shocked me that they were eaten with mayo. A savory fruit?? What!? While I loved the other fruit we tried, the taste of nance was honestly awful—I was not a fan, but everyone got a good laugh out of me spitting it out into the trash can.
Pros
  • Friendly Staff Members
  • Spanish Improvement
  • English Teaching Experience
Cons
  • Confusing Bus System
  • Drinking Culture
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Alistair
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

2 weeks in Oaxaca

An incredible program! All of the staff, professors and home stay families were resourceful, kind and fun! I did a two week program in Oaxaca, MX and enjoyed every moment. The classes and excursions were fun too. I got to experience the culture and food in a very authentic way that is unique to any other style of travel! I also went early before the program to hangout on the beach and surf for ten days in Puerto Escondido and left a week later to see Mexico City. aim so grateful I got to do this program!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
grasshoppers
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Diana
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

ARCOS is my go-to!

I have used ARCOS for years! I can always count on them to be professional, organized, creative, and sensitive to the needs of university students. I trust them fully! I recommend them on all levels. We have traveled with them to Spain and Costa Rica! Love the trips for our undergraduate students! So many wonderful experiences and memories for our students and faculty! Each time I am amazed by their on-the-ground people and the amazing home-start families. Gracias Janiva and Brent!

What was your funniest moment?
When we went to the beach! We had several moments of fun at the paella restaurant at the beach front!
Pros
  • Responsible
  • Consistent
  • Amazon on the group partners
Cons
  • None
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Kelley
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Study Abroad in Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Arcos has a very distinctive and helpful program that includes both language instruction in Santiago de Compostela (with a family stay) and a two week trek-pilgrimage on the Camino. We were a group with faculty and 18 university students and had a wonderful time on this Arcos-hosted adventure. The organization of Arcos is incredible and began before we arrived in Spain. The range of cultural experiences for students, substantive site visits, transportation, meals, and hostels arranged while in Spain was also impressive. Arcos has professional, knowledgeable, and helpful guides who assist faculty and students navigating difficulties also (as *life* happens on such journeying). This was a wonderful educational and experiential learning opportunity made possible by Arcos.

Pros
  • The opportunity to spend time outside in beautiful Spain
  • The neat combination of language study and the Camino
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Georgia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Camino de Santiago

Our study abroad program with Arcos was great! We packed a lot of experiences into a 4-week stay. We visited Madrid, took an intensive Spanish class in Santiago de Compostela (3 credit hours), and walked for 10 days on the Camino de Santiago. The students were challenged and engaged the whole time. Interesting and fun excursions and cultural events gave us all an opportunity to experience Spanish and Galician cultures - a trip to Toledo, the Prado, a seafood lunch at the Mercado in Santiago de Compostela, welcoming host families, a boat trip to O Grove to tour the bateas, a visit to the Leon and Burgos cathedrals, magical dawns along the Camino, evening group meals recounting the day's walk, arriving into Santiago for the 12:00 Mass after our 200k/120 mile pilgrimage...those are just some of the highlights of this trip! The balance of personal time and group activities over the 4 week period was well-organized for a group of 18 students, giving everyone the opportunity to explore the cities within a flexible structure. We lived a wide variety of experiences on this trip and had a blast!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
We were in Madrid when they won the Champion's league. The students loved the celebration; and I love the boat ride to see the bateas in O Grove.
Pros
  • Varied
  • Organized
  • Quality language instruction and cultural activities
Cons
  • No cons for this trip.
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Paloma
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Studying Abroad in Argentina

I am a dual credit student at Austin Community College, and this was my first time leaving the country in years, let alone studying abroad. Naturally, I was very nervous. But the moment the plane landed, I was welcomed to Argentina by the tour guide and bus driver. We chatted in my slow Spanish as the bus wove through the Buenos Aires late-night traffic.

This experience was not a fluke. Everyone on the program, from the other students to the homestay parents to the guides and directors, was incredibly friendly and helpful. I felt as happy and comfortable as I possibly could in a strange new country. Through Arcos, I saw the sights, ate the foods, heard the music, and experienced the culture of Buenos Aires. It's not a trip I will soon forget.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice, especially for students, is to rely on each other, but not be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. My group definitely clustered together - a herd of Americans! There was always someone to fall back on if there was a problem or a translation error, and that level of support was amazing. But I would also say that sometimes you have to push your boundaries in order to make the most of the trip.
Pros
  • Great tour guide (Beatriz Barragan)
  • Many otherwise expensive meals were complimentary, as were all meals in the homestay
  • Free time after the activities to explore the city on your own
Cons
  • Not anyone's fault, but because of a sudden injury affecting the teacher, Conversational Spanish was all but dropped as a class
  • Because of the busy schedule, completing homework was a challenge
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Emilio
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Oaxaca

Hello. Studying abroad in Oaxaca through ARCOS was a fun, easy, and smooth experience. The excursions and activities that were selected felt authentic and educational. For example, visiting the Tlacululokos Studio felt like a peek into real Oaxaca’s societal problems and activism. The ARCOS team, prior to arrival, made sure to reminds us to fill in the forms on time. Additionally, our guides made it easy for us to travel from one activity to the next. Additionally, they were very helpful and knowledgeable about Oaxaca.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Since our program was only a week, I felt that our agenda was packed. I would have appreciated a “buffer day” to help me reset.
Pros
  • Activities selected
  • Knowledgeable guides
  • Easy application process
Cons
  • Time crunch
  • Cashing money was difficult
  • Unprepared for weather
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PHILIPPE
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Excellent trip to Spain!

I thoroughly enjoyed the one-month trip organized by Arcos Learning Abroad that included Madrid, Santiago de Compostela, Cambados, Burgos, Leon, and several smaller towns along the Camino frances pilgrimage route. Everything was well-organized and executed, and the organizers were outgoing and fun! Since I am a professor accompanying the students, I especially appreciated the warm welcome from the University of Santiago de Compostela and the host families they provided for our 18 students. I got to see the progress they made in Spanish and delight in the ways in which they opened up to cultural experiences in Spain. Fantastic trip!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Pack lightly for the pilgrimage and leave your electronics at home. They're not needed for the Spanish coursework at the University of Santiago de Compostela. You're in for a memorable experience!
Pros
  • Host families for the duration of the university program
  • Excursions to well-known places and a few off the beaten path, too
  • Experienced personnel to welcome you and ensure your safety and provide for a fun trip
Cons
  • None to mention