Program Reviews

I loved my experience studying abroad in Costa Rica. I was placed in the care of an amazing host mother and I had amazing ARCOS directors on my side that helped teach us about the history of Costa Rica. We also had amazing excursions where I got to experience events I wouldn’t of be able to do in California. For example, snorkeling and ziplining would not be something K could experience in my hometown so getting to do it in a new environment surrounded by nature and amazing scenery was a one of kind experience.

It was my first time traveling since I was 11/12 years old. I had a great time visiting Costa Rica. I would love to come back. The tour guides, Angie and Cata, were terrific. They were funny and friendly. The homestead was grand. I wish I had my Mama Tika cooking for me to this day. The excursions were fun, and I enjoyed conversing with the friendly Costa Ricans. This experience made me think I could travel in the future since, prior, I did not want to travel. I want to use this program when traveling.

Once again a stellar program for our Child and Adolescent Studies majors. The 13 day custom program was amazing and so representative of the phenomenal leadership of ARCOS. Each day was arranged perfectly and our students learned so much about the true culture of Costa Rica. We have basically left our heart in Costa Rica. We loved all the cultural and service learning activities. We highly recommend this vendor if you want professionalism, individual attention and quality. Thanks again to Janiva, Cata, Angie, Alejandro and Brent! Our amazing Costa Rica team!

I give Arcos my highest recommendation! Their exceptional service and professionalism played a crucial role in making our physical therapy mission trip to Oaxaca, Mexico, an unforgettable and successful experience. From start to finish, Arcos was dedicated to ensuring that every detail was taken care of, from coordinating logistics to providing invaluable support on the ground. Their team’s commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and responsiveness helped us navigate the challenges of organizing such a complex project, allowing us to focus on delivering physical therapy care to those in need. I am truly grateful for their partnership and cannot recommend them highly enough for any future missions or endeavors!

Recently came back from my second trip to Oaxaca, Mexico for a medical mission trip where my graduate school paired up with another university to create a 4-day medical clinic where we offered preventive care, medications, physical therapy, and home health services to a local village of Oaxaca. ARCOS is a phenomenal team of individuals that work together to create once-in-a-lifetime experiences!! Absolutely would work with Ena and Dani Aguilar along with Antonio and Paulina again!! I cannot wait to embark on further adventures with the ARCOS team <3

Loved this trip - it was a real immersion in Costa Rican hospitality and a great introduction to the businesses and business climate there.

Our tour guide was great, and the weather (supposed to be dry season) was funny. We experienced a lot of rain, but luckily, it wasn't cold. We saw a lot, learned a lot, ate a lot, and laughed a lot.

Our tour guide was so knowledgeable about her country - we got a great history lesson, learned a lot about the flora and fauna from her, and got to experience so much of Costa Rica. It was great.

I had an excellent experience in Oaxaca, Mexico working with this team! Ena, her daughter Dani, and Antonio were particularly great to work with and have on our team. They helped us administer medical care to a local town at one of the schools. Their knowledge of the area, kindness, and translation assistance were particularly helpful. Our medical missions trip truly would not have been possible without them. I hope to be able to work with them again in the future, and I would highly recommend their team to others.

I had an incredible experience with Students Without Borders on their trip to Oaxaca, Mexico! The program was well-organized, educational, and immersive. I experienced the local culture firsthand, from vibrant markets to rich traditions and beautiful landscapes. The team was supportive, making me feel like I was truly contributing while learning so much. It was the perfect balance of learning, serving, adventure, and meaningful travel. Highly recommend this Arcos for anyone looking for an unforgettable experience!

I had a wonderful time and I would go again if I could. Working with the people of Oaxaca was great. They were all very grateful for us to be there. It was a great experience and I recommend it to anyone else wanting to do a humanitarian trip. Working with my classmates to aid in the help of others was a very rewarding experience and taught me the joys of being able to offer help to people who are less fortunate. I would recommend this trip to anyone who is looking for a way to give back to others.

I absolutely loved my time in Spain! My host family was amazing and I had so much fun there! I wish I could have spent more time there taking more classes! I loved my teacher, he was so fun and really patient with me! My host mom was so nice to me and made literally the best food I have ever had. She was so helpful with everything I asked for. Her food was so good, and carefully thought out. I learned so much and I really had a big fear of my Dyslexia making it not a good idea to study abroad. However, The teachers were so helpful and kind to me! This is why I had such a good experience.