Location
  • Mexico
    • Oaxaca
Term
Academic Year, Fall, J-Term, Maymester, Short Term, Spring, Summer, Winter
Subject Areas
Anthropology Art History Arts Creative Writing Cultural Studies Economics Film Health Sciences Hispanic Studies History Human Rights Humanities Indigenous Cultures Language Studies Latin American Studies Liberal Arts Literature Nursing Political Science Pre-Med Public Health Religious Studies Theater Visual Arts +14
529 Plan eligibility
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
High School Diploma Associates Bachelors
Housing
Host Family
Language
Spanish

Pricing

Starting Price
2995
Price Details
Program Price Includes:
- Pre-Departure Advising
- International Medical Insurance
- Program Orientation
- University Tuition & Fees
- Onsite Directors & Staff
- Homestay & Meals
- Excursions
- Cultural Activities
- Volunteer & Community Service
- Language Exchange
- Transcript Processing
- Airport Transfers
- Reception & Farewell Activity
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Classes Meals Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare SIM cards Travel Insurance
Sep 28, 2024
Jan 29, 2025
7 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Oaxaca is a place of fascinating contrast, simultaneously blending old and new, as well as past and present. One of Mexico’s best-preserved colonial cities, Oaxaca is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Building off its rich cultural heritage and indigenous roots, Oaxaca is at the vanguard of Mexican cuisine, culture, and the arts. While abroad in this safe, southern Mexican city, you will study at the University of Oaxaca. You can choose from a wide variety of Spanish electives and visual art classes. Spanish language courses are offered for all levels. Your program includes excursions and cultural activities to explore the magic of Oaxaca’s indigenous villages, food culture, festivals, markets, archaeological sites, and surrounding mountains. Our life-changing study abroad programs are known for the quality and personal care we provide our students. Step through the arch and into a world of growth and possibility!

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Excursions to the pre-Hispanic sites of Monte Albán and Mitla.
  • Live in a Bohemian city with hip cafés, a vibrant live music scene, and many art museums.
  • Public health programs available combined with medical shadowing.
  • Spanish language classes and electives for all levels of language learners.
  • Art classes such as Drawing, Printmaking, Painting, Art History, and Mexican Theater available year round.

Program Reviews

4.93 Rating
based on 14 reviews
  • 5 rating 92.86%
  • 4 rating 7.14%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.5
  • Support 4.85
  • Fun 4.95
  • Housing 4.85
  • Safety 4.75
Showing 1 - 8 of 14 reviews
Default avatar
Jimmy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Oaxaca, Mexico Physical Therapy Mission Trip

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!

2 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Brittney
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Oaxaca Medical Mission Trip Janurary 2025

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

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Chapulines also known as grasshoppers!!! Oaxacan cuisine is known for them and you can find them in many dishes.
Pros
  • The ARCOS team
  • The location
  • Feeling of safety in the city
Cons
  • NONE
3 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Zachary
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Trip to Oaxaca, Mexico

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.

3 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Dominique
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

2025 Students Without Borders (SWOB) Trip to Oaxaca, Mexico

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!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
A Lucha Libre wrestling match at Arena Oaxaca!
3 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Shirley
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Mexico

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.

4 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Fely
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Oaxaca

Oaxaca was magical from the people to the food everything was full of color and gret energy. It was a super educational and exciting experience. Arcos provided us with two of their best guides Eva and Paulina, they made everything extra special we felt safe at all times and Paulina went above and beyond to make sure we were doing well at all times. Our students who stayed with host families had nothing but great things to report of the host parents for sure it was a great trip. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in experience the richness Oaxaca has to offer.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Grasshopper
Pros
  • Safety
  • Friendliness
  • Educational
Cons
  • Heat
  • Walking distances
  • Rain
7 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Monica
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Arcos summer 2024

I loved this program the directors weren’t afraid to show their personality while also being professional. It really made me and the group more comfortable during our stay. The excursions were very fun, we were always with at least one directors during the excursions and they made sure we were safe and having fun. The homestays gave amazing care. They all cared very much about the well-being of the students. I would say the only thing I didn’t like was the timing of the activities, it felt that there was barely any time to rest.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Ate crickets!
Pros
  • Beautiful walkable city
  • Friendly staff
  • Fun activities
Cons
  • Packed schedule
  • Not many people in classes
  • Mosquitoes
7 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Emma
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best semester ever!

Arcos provided me with experiences that shaped me as a human being. My semester abroad is unforgettable because it really changed me for the better. The program did an amazing job at helping me stay present in the moment and enjoying everything as it was happening. I notice so many positive changes in myself now that I am back at my home university. My homestay experience was so wonderful, I really felt like a part of their family. My house mother especially treated me like her daughter and gave me so much love and support, I couldn’t have done any of it without her.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Iguana… it was in a tamal that my house grandmother made me. It was… interesting! Hey, at least I tried it!
Pros
  • Humility
  • Independence
  • Open-Mindedness
Cons
  • Isolation
  • Sickness
  • Language barriers
8 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers