Program Reviews

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!

This program was the cause of some of the best two weeks of my life. I made incredible friends, learned a lot of Spanish, immersed in the culture, and made some unforgettable memories. We went to school, learned the grammatical rules of Spanish, then used that knowledge in a local setting. I gained a lot of independence in this program, as well as learning how to use my language skills by interacting with the local people. I also loved my homestay mom dearly and had a very special time there. Highly recommend!

The family was very welcoming and kind! All of the meals my host mom gave me were very delicious. The environment was very nice and the surrounding nature was very pleasant to see. The people were very friendly and the excursions like to the waterfall and zip lining were very fun to do! If I had the choice, I would definitely come back to Costa Rica because the experience was so fun and memorable. I would recommend trying new things even if you feel a bit uncomfortable at first. Remember that all of the other kids are just as nervous as you!

This trip and the Acros Program was amazing from the moment I landed in Oaxaca Airport to the moment I took off in Puerto Escondido Airport. Greeted by nice staff at the airport, I was driven to my host family, all of whom were super welcoming and understanding. Throughout the trip I became closer to the friends on the trip with me, while also expanding my language ability and my knowledge of Mexico and its culture. Our guide Pamela always made sure everything ran smoothly and that everyone was on the same page. Overall, it was a great experience and I would recommend.

I've never experienced something like this, in terms of being outdoors but it was so much fun! German, Manolo, and the other guides made it such a memorable experience. I learned so much more Spanish because you're talking to almost everyone, but you talk in English as well. You're with the outdoors group for almost the entire day so you become really close with the people around you, which makes you feel in a comfortable and safe community. There is never a dull moment because you're constantly with people around you who make you laugh, and it's just a wonderful time!

My experience with this study abroad program was absolutely amazing. I learned so much about Spanish, Oaxacan culture, and myself because I was given this opportunity. Oaxaca was a beautiful and safe city where I felt comfortable and confident in my ability to navigate it. The home stays were fabulous and the classes at the university were very interesting. All of the expeditions we took were fascinating and taught me so much about the rich culture and history of Oaxaca. The program staff were all extraordinarily kind and helpful, and I knew that if I ever needed anything all I would have to do was communicate my needs to get them met. I will carry those experiences for the rest of my life and my journey with Spanish.

This experience has made me grow in many ways. With Spanish being spoken everywhere around me, I learned so much, and improved my Spanish in a way that I wouldn't have been able to anywhere else. I took part in the summer festivals going on at the time, and became immersed in the culture as well as the language. Further, my homestay was very nice, and talking with her improved my Spanish as well. She was accommodating, respectful, and overall nice to be around. Thank you for the amazing experience!!!

I went to Argentina with Arcos high school program. It was super fun. I’ve done other travel programs before, and in my opinion, Arcos is the best one I’ve done. They were very organized. We were never late to activities, and everything was planned out very well. Our tour guide, Beatrice was very helpful and kind as well. The program was a good mix of doing tours and going out on your own which I appreciated. The program is a little expensive but for all the things you do it’s definitely worth it. The school we went to, Academia Buenos Aires, was also very nice, the interior was beautiful, and the classes helped a lot! I would love to travel with Arcos again.

My son traveled to Costa Rica with this program in July. He loved being there and especially living with a host family and practicin Spanish daily. As a parent, I found the program staff to be very helpful and readily available by phone to answer my questions. My son said he would love to travel again with this program and highly recommends it to all teens who might be interested. This program was a great balance between doing community service hours in the local village and getting to experience eco-adventure/fun as a group of teens.