Oaxaca is a magical place you won't regret visiting! July 29, 2025
By A student (None) - abroad from 06/07/2025 to 06/28/2025 with
Arcos Journeys Abroad: Teen Summer Program - Spanish Language & Mexican Culture
I learned that traveling can teach you more than anything you learn in school. I got to experience firsthand a different culture, home life, and language. I have developed more as a person and grown great appreciation for parts of the world that are different from my own. It's the most valuable lesson I could've ever learned.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The small class sizes and fun, interactive teacher I had made learning a joy. I was given tons of papers with grammar rules and examples which definitely benefit my learning when continuing at home. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My directors were fantastic to work with and easily helped sort out things if a issue happened. I missed a connecting flight on my way to Oaxaca and they resolved it quickly and assured me everything was all good for my arrival. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I absolutely loved my homestay and could not have been any more comfortable! |
| * Food: |
The food was great and I loved getting to have a slice of some authentic food. I'd encourage people to try everything they can and get out of their comfort zones. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt pretty integrated and did get to see a lot of the local life. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never had anything big health wise while I was there, but many of my friends had stomach issues and the pharmacies always had whatever they needed. Directors were helpful with recommendation on what to buy. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt safe while I was in Oaxaca. The streets are nice to walk, just always be aware of your surroundings. The only incident that happened on my trip was my roommates phone got stolen while on the bus. My best advice would be to wear something like a shoulder bag that always is on the front of your body where you can see it. Always walk with a group and avoid going out in the dark. Take DiDi home instead of regular taxi's. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I overall loved the Arcos program! I met wonderful students on the same program, enjoyed school hours with a fun teacher, went on the best excursions, and made meaningful memories with my host family. |
Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
It's really easy to spend very minimal money on this trip since all meals are provided for you. It's up to you on how much you spend, but if you're on a tight budget you can easily get by. I just spent money on bus rides, occasional treats when out with friends, and souvenirs. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $80 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save around $70 dollars for each week you'll be there. I'd recommend exchanging it for pesos at a local bank before you depart as the conversation rate is usually better. I spent way more physical pesos than card transactions. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish II (Beginner) |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Study more before you arrive there! Have a basic vocabulary to use for everyday interactions. I liked to translate some phrases or questions each day before I would go down to eat breakfast so I could have more conversations and improve my Spanish. It would have been nice to have things like that written down before I arrived though. I'd also recommend bringing lots of bug spray as I got eaten alive there! Pack light clothes and pjs if you go during the summer months as even nights can be humid and hot with no AC. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
