Program Reviews

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.

The classes were fun and the teachers got everyone to participate. The excursions were fun. The host family was very nice and helpful. I would do it again. I also felt more comfortable practicing basic Spanish out loud after this program. The dancing class was surprisingly fun. The Spanish classes felt more comfortable than I expected. We did a cooking and art class as well. All were fun with great teachers. The area felt safe with a basketball court nearby for downtime. The one thing that I would suggest is one more swimming day or a longer swim on the waterfall hike day.

Arcos provided an incredible experience for my daughter, who visited Costa Rica with this program. She was able to experience an entirely new culture from the perspective of those who live there. Arcos was communicative regarding all programs and guidelines and put our minds at ease as parents. The host family was friendly, and took very good care of my daughter and her friends. We highly recommend this program, as it was a tremendous benefit for my daughter. She learned a lot and had wonderful stories to share upon her return.

My son was a part of the Argos Oaxaca program for the summer of 2024 and could not recommend it more. The program was by far the best and most professionally run program our family has been a part of. The staff was a mix of in-country and foreigners, all of whom were knowledgable, kind and attentive.

We liked that we clicked well with the other parents who were fun and easy to get along with. Our son enjoyed that the program separated into two different age groups.

Our son's biggest compliant was that the food was in his words "basic", with lots of corn tortillas and beans.

I learned much more Spanish and could practice my Spanish with more native speakers. It was truly amazing to get this experience that I will remember until I am older. Also, it was free from my district so what's not to love? I had lots of cool times and got to experience a whole new country, and how their students are educated. Also, I saw how similar places were to the USA and how they differed. And the food was really good especially in Oaxaca when we went there for two weeks and I learned from Cristian Moro.

Overall 10/10 would recommend it to a friend.

My daughter said: I had a great time and a wonderful volunteer experience. My host family was caring and excellent cooks. We were in a great location and the kids were all fun to be with. I loved the outdoor experiences and realized I could do hard things. The beaches were really nice and the water was super warm. My host family was super nice and made great hand-pressed juice every day. The only challenges I found were language barriers because I don’t speak good Spanish but was still able to communicate using Google Translate.

My daughter went to Oaxaca for 3 weeks with Arcos International. Her visit was nothing short of life-changing. Her homestay family was caring and kind, her language classes at the university were fun and educational, and within her cohort, she made lifelong friends.

The excursions to cultural sites were well-organized and fun. As someone who was initially very nervous about being away from home, when the time came to return home, she would happily have stayed for another 3 weeks. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to improve their Spanish in an immersive setting.

It was fun because we got to be on our own a lot and it wasn't controlling. I liked all the meat we got to eat as well as the ranch that we went to. It was also fun because there were different age groups.

A one-month immersion in Oaxaca is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, a chance to explore one of the most fascinating, culturally complex places in the world.

Many thanks to Arcos for making this possible and so much fun! A month here was a sensory feast. From the vibrant markets and colonial architecture to the diverse cuisine, every corner revealed a new layer of this captivating region. Cooking classes, day trips to villages like Teotitlán del Valle and Mitla, and exploring natural wonders like Hierve el Agua provided invaluable insights into the rich cultural heritage. The warm hospitality of the Oaxacan people and the vibrant music scene added to the enchantment. While navigating daily life presented challenges, they ultimately enriched the journey. This was a transformative experience, a chance to connect with a unique culture and gain a deeper understanding of the world.

I am incredibly grateful to Arcos for making this unforgettable journey possible.

I was a bit nervous since this was my first time abroad, but I was so glad I went. My group was supervised by America and Maya, who did an amazing job showing us around the city. I could tell that they genuinely wanted us to have a good and experience and they made me feel safe the whole time. My homestay mom, Leti, was amazing and it was nice to foster a close relationship with her. I’d say if you are a teenager like me who’s really wanting to challenge your Spanish, this program is for you. Oaxaca is so rich of culture and you are definitely going to get an authentic Mexican experience, which means amazing food!