High School Student Exchange Programs in Costa Rica

My experience studying abroad in Costa Rica was truly unforgettable, and I am so grateful for the support and opportunities provided by my program. From the very beginning, the agency made sure I felt safe, supported, and prepared. They genuinely cared about my experience and my individual needs. Anytime I had a question or needed assistance, they were quick to respond and took action right away. Throughout my time abroad, I had countless opportunities to explore Costa Rica both within the city where I lived and beyond. The program provided many cultural activities that allowed me to better understand the country, experience new traditions, and practice my Spanish in real-life situations. These experiences helped me grow more confident and connected to the culture. My host family was another incredible part of my journey. They were kind, welcoming, and made me feel like a part of their family. They included me in everyday activities like grocery shopping, family game nights, and other moments that allowed me to experience authentic Costa Rican life. This program gave me memories, friendships, and personal growth that I will carry with me forever. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a meaningful and supportive study abroad experience.

My daughter gained a better understanding of Costa Rican culture and experienced an overall wonderful adventure. The Arcos staff is very caring, thorough, and personal. I rate their availability and coordination 5 out of 5. I would recommend this program to future participants.

Arco's pre-program communication was impeccable. There were regular updates at just the right time with plenty of information. I was always informed. Arcos should be a model for every study abroad program. My high schooler's Spanish increased. We appreciated the eye-opening excursions and cultural activities that exposed Aden to Coast Rican life and its people. Definitely a life changing program. Come ready to try delicious food and make new friends.

The greatest benefits of the program were the cultural exchange with Costa Rican people (especially the homestay family, kids at the school and residents of Atenas), sense of independence and confidence, resilience from navigating challenging situations, improved Spanish, exploration of a new place, food, and lots of fun activities.

Arcos provides extensive communication and support with the service details. It was a great experience! My son loved the journey! The program was very accommodating. He enjoyed joining the gym in Atenas and especially loved painting the school and interacting with the students for his community service project.

Arcos staff were promptly responsive to the few questions I had. My son adored his host family, praising their kindness and generosity. He loved the excellent food and appreciated his host mother doing all his laundry and changing his sheets daily. He felt so well-cared for he didn't want to leave! He enjoyed the city, visiting the market and playing basketball with local kids. It was a wonderful and memorable week, thanks to Arcos and the host family.

The Arcos program in Costa Rica was a fantastic experience for my daughter. The greatest benefit was the independence she gained. I also appreciated the direct contact with the program director, Catalina, who was great about keeping me up to date with my daughter's activities.

My son did the Spanish Immersion program in Atenas, Costa Rica with his classmates. The greatest benefits were language and cultural immersion mixed with fun exploring. My advice for future participants is to pack light and reapply sunblock often. It was a wonderful experience--thank you Arcos!

Our son's experience with Arcos Journeys Abroad in Costa Rica was invaluable. He gained independence and knowledge of the Spanish language and culture. We are especially grateful for Arcos's assistance in getting him on his return flight, which required extra help after we overlooked paying the unaccompanied minor fee. Thank you, Arcos!

My daughter participated in the Spanish Immersion program in Atenas, Costa Rica. I highly recommend Arcos Journeys Abroad and give them 5 stars for their excellent coordination, staff, and availability. The greatest benefit for my child was the knowledge gained and achieving such fluency in the language. I would certainly recommend this program to future participants.

The communication with Arcos Journeys Abroad was fantastic. My son appreciated the Costa Rican culture and autonomy he was afforded in the small town of Atenas. I encourage you to give your child the experience living with a host family - it’s such an amazing experience.

The program offered immense benefits for my child, primarily through the valuable immersion experience with local people, particularly the homestay with native Costa Ricans, and the various activities they participated in. I give the coordination, staff, and staff availability my highest rating.

This Arcos trip was a wonderful experience! Highlights included the intentional free downtime, allowing my daughter to explore a safe, relaxed town and immerse herself in the local culture where English was not prevalent. She loved surfing and her host family was amazing. We would absolutely consider another Arcos journey!

This was an incredible experience for my daughter. She was able to see a different way of living through her time with Arcos in Atenas, Costa Rica.The pre-departure materials including the acceptance package, guidelines, and packing list were excellent. The experience is worth it!

Our son came back and could not stop sharing his amazing time and experience with Arcos! The greatest benefits were the homestay with a Costa Rican family and being in a non-tourist environment in the town of Atenas. Excellent coordination, staff, and availability.

The homestay experience was good overall, though I am a picky eater. Challenges included adjusting to local food and cold showers. However, the program provided new experiences, great friends, and opportunities to see nature. I highly recommend this program to future students.

The benefit of learning more Spanish was fantastic. The classes were three hours with a mid-morning snack break which was great for a reset. My homestay was perfect. A helpful tip for future students: learn your address by heart, as taxis are an easy and useful way to travel and you may need to direct the driver.

I got to work with kids every day, and I got to practice my Spanish skills. It was really fun. I got to immerse myself in the culture of Costa Rica. This experience made me a more well rounded person.

This was a wonderful first experience with a program abroad! The directors were very kind, and the classes were engaging and informative. I learned a lot about verbs and past tense. I also loved our host family—they were so kind and took great care of us. Future students should consider the volunteer option. I enjoyed the challenge of speaking to locals and getting around town.

The classes focus effectively on conversation, which significantly boosted my Spanish skills in a real-world setting like Costa Rica. My homestay was enjoyable. This is a worthwhile program that offers incredible learning and strong connections. Be open to the environment and activities, and speak Spanish with your host family as much as possible!