Program Reviews

The staff were extremely nice and helpful. I had an amazing experience! We especially loved our tour guide, Angie! This experience was very enlightening for me. It will stay with me throughout my nursing career. It was amazing to see how different the medical systems in other countries can be from the United States. The learning experiences were very interesting. Learning the different perspectives of providers in Costa Rica, along with exploring the hospital setting and nursing school. I would recommend this experience to anyone who asks me!

I went to Grenada with my high school Spanish class. I stayed with a host family who I really loved. She was so caring and kind and cooked amazing delicious meals for us. It was an incredible opportunity for me to immerse myself in another language and culture. We did educational, cultural and fun activities that everyone loved. Marcell was an amazing guide and person. Javier taught us Spanish, he was a great teacher and person. I feel very lucky to have gone. It was a truly unforgettable experience!

The Arcos Team at Oaxaca made my study abroad experience truly enriching and unforgettable! Eva and Pamela were an incredible support system that offered the best advice and recommendations on food, cultural events, and safety. The excursions planned, from archeological site visits to a natural dye and rug-making in Teotitlán del Valle, a Zapotec village, gave me a comprehensive understanding of Oaxaca's rich history. Lastly, the Arcos team did a perfect job matching me with such a welcoming host family who enjoyed talking about their life as proud Oaxacans. Highly recommend this program!

It was an awesome trip for my first time out of the country. Costa Rica is a beautiful country and we had the chance to see many different areas of it. We were there as a tropical ecology class of 20 to check out the rainforest. We had a lot of travel days in order to check out a variety of areas but it wasn't too bad. The food was awesome, definitely eat as much as you can and try any new foods you see. We got really lucky with the weather so I actually can't speak much to coping with the rain. Overall, I'd recommend this program.

I had a great time with my host family. The Muros were some awesome folks. The Arcos team was very helpful with recommendations and organizing events in Oaxaca. I would definitely recommend them as a service. I had a lot of fun with everyone, and Eva and her team were fun too! They always went with us on our excursions and were very knowledgeable about the sites we visited. Really had a great time with them, my host family, and everyone else on the program. If someone had a problem, the Arcos team got it resolved quickly and easily. Great folks.

I was able to utilize Arcos' services during a Spring Break Study Abroad in March 2025. From the moment we met Angie at the airport on our first day, I felt we were in good hands. Angie was fun, engaging, and was able to cultivate a relaxed and respectful atmosphere for my students and I. All of the planned events/activities helped my students learn more about the culture and healthcare system of Costa Rica. Our driver Jessica also helped all of us feel safe and relaxed while traveling in country.

The experience was truly a one of a kind trip! Our guide Cata and our driver Jessica were amazing and taught/explained so much for us. We fit so many activities in such a small amount of time, we were always on the move. The trip was a nice balance between academic activities and fun excursions. My host mom was amazing and took great care of us. The trip was eye opening and I'll take what I've learned and apply it to my future practice as a nurse. Not to mention Costa Rica is beautiful! I miss it already.

I had an absolute blast for my first time going overseas. I was most afraid of my lack of confidence with my Spanish skills. But being in an environment that is welcoming and very encouraging to improve speaking and writing skill made the experience so much fun. Not only that, but because I was constantly surrounded by the language, it helped to immerse myself in the language. I was able to learn some slang and other phrases I likely would not have learned if I were being taught by someone who was not a native.

My host family was very kind and welcoming. On our last couple of days our host mom took us to the beach. It was really sweet of her, and nice that we got to spend more time with her before leaving. She always made the best food and asked about our day.

The excursions and classes were very informative while being tons of fun. I was able to learn about Spanish history and see important landmarks. All of the staff were kind and eager to help us learn the culture and language of their home.
I hope to someday make another trip and discover more of the beauty of Spain.

The overall experience with Arcos was phenomenal. The care and attention we received went above and beyond. As a faculty member, I felt well supported and knew that the student would be cared for. This program balances academics with fun excursions to provide many life-changing experiences for the students. The director of our program, Cata, and our driver, Jessica, were amazing and I felt like I was traveling with family. I would recommend Arcos as a study abroad program to any faculty member seeking to start a program.

ARCOS is the best and the leading vendor for all your study abroad needs. I finished traveling for about two weeks to Costa Rica with my group of 24 students, and I always felt safe and taken cared of. They organize the on ground cultural activities, events, transportation, translations, homestays, etc. and really, anything else you would need. Communication is easy, and they really work with you. The entire ARCOS team and program directors were all so knowledgeable and helpful from start to finish. I appreciate ARCOS so, so much and look forward to many more study abroad trips with them!