Arcos Learning Abroad in Granada, Spain

I had a great time on the trip. Our guides did a wonderful job explaining the history and significance of each place we visited, which made the experience even more enjoyable. We were able to see and explore many incredible sites in Granada, Toledo, and Madrid, among other areas. Throughout the trip, we learned a great deal about Spain’s history, traditions, and the influence of different cultures, which made the experience both educational and memorable.

This program significantly improved my Spanish speaking ability and increased my independence, despite initial challenges with constantly speaking a different language. I highly recommend it to future students—it's a rare opportunity! My advice: plan ahead and pack lightly.

My biggest personal challenge in Granada was getting comfortable being independent. The greatest benefit of the program was the Spanish immersion to learn the language much faster. I would absolutely recommend this program to future students for an authentic and cultural experience abroad.

I studied abroad for the fall semester in Granada, Spain with Arcos. Although it is obvious that the program is a Spanish immersion one, I have to share that the German language instruction was great. This program is great for language learning beyond just Spanish.

Isabel was an amazing director that always fun to talk to. I could always ask for help when I needed it, especially about transportation and food recommendations! Adela was a great homestay mom that would always make an effort talk to my roommate and I! She was always willing to help us out! Tips: Get prepared for jet lag and culture shock because it’s gonna happen and it’s gonna suck for the first few days. But also explore the city and try different things that you normally wouldn’t have at home, and try stay connected with friends and family back at home. The greatest benefits I had was meeting a bunch of different people from various places and getting to call them my friend in my program. Even for a short time, we were all in this together.

My directrors were super sweet, fun and kind. My host mom was amazing. She made my trip so magical. She is such a kind sweet woman and really made my experience so special. I had a great experience living with a host and gaining cultural experience.

My director was not only incredibly welcoming and kind, but also very knowledgeable about the places in Granada where she took us! She very effectively made our whole group feel like a family. Although he was only with us for a small part of the program, I got to know my other director quickly on a personal level. He knew a lot of the intricacies of Granada, like where to eat, find jazz music, and which parts of every beach were the best. Though a program coordinator, I would consider him a dear friend. The professors were very qualified in their subjects and would encourage student participation frequently. I had incredible luck to be hosted by Antonio and Carmen. Genuinely two of the kindest and most hospitable people I’ve ever met. If I return to Granada I hope to pay them a visit and give them a big hug.

The Arcos staff are very nice and helpful!! This was one of the best Spanish classes I’ve taken. The amount of work was not stressful and during class we had discussion which helped me learn so much. My host parents were very cute people --very nice and accommodating. My advice is to go to all of the cultural activities and excursions. Make friends with other people in you program get together with them outside of activities. Try and go other places on free days and explore. It’s okay to have chill days and not go anywhere too. This is a great program if you are open to experiencing a different culture, making new friends, seeing a differing part of the world and the completely different landscape, while using your Spanish in real context.

My Arcos director was very available and willing to help in any way necessary! Very knowledgeable and easy to talk with! I really liked the classes. My homestay was AMAZING! She was so kind and encouraging when communicating, she also ran a very clean house and was a great cook! Tips: Be prepared to say yes to everything if you want the full experience! Challenges: Adjusting to the new language and culture in a variety of different situations Benefits: Increased fluidity in language speaking as well as a broader view of the world.

My Arcos director was very helpful and easy to communicate with, and went above and beyond to give recommendations. I had great teachers, the were fun and interactive. I loved my host parents, they were fun and loving. I felt very welcomed to be there! I'm going to miss them. The greatest benefits were the experiences I had and friendships I made.

My director Isabel was absolutely incredible—very caring and considerate. During a tour at the Alhambra, she helped me manage my fear of heights, which I deeply appreciated. The program, made easy by Arcos, was valuable for learning about Spanish history and culture (a highlight for a history buff like me) and improving my Spanish.

The program staff provided helpful reminders. I suggest classes offer a syllabus with grading breakdowns for better preparation. The homestay location was a 25 minute walk from the center. I met wonderful people, loved the cultural experience, and gained self-confidence. I highly recommend this program.

Borja was a fantastic director—very personable and knowledgeable. He arranged truly special, memorable experiences. The flamenco classes were varied, informative, and enjoyable, with great instructors and performances, especially the show in the Generalife gardens. The housing accommodations were great, and the location was excellent.

Highly recommend this international experience! It greatly improved my cultural sensitivity and expanded my knowledge of Spain's culture, traditions, and language. The lodging was good. I developed key professional skills like communication and teamwork. Future students should embrace cultural immersion, prioritize self-care, and learn basic Spanish. Be prepared for some challenges but remain optimistic. This was a meaningful academic and cultural program.

The ancient architecture on this program was truly enriching. I gained clarity on my career path in education. For future groups, I suggest increased budget information transparency regarding the number of self-funded meals (I estimate 19 meals requiring 12-20 euros each), and improved community living training for large groups. Prepare for extensive walking and cultural shocks.

I highly recommend this program for its enriching experiences. Despite challenges like the language barrier, the program offered valuable opportunities for personal growth and learning. I gained a new perspective that will significantly aid my future career as a social worker. Be prepared for a lot of walking and pack comfortable, practical clothes.

The homestay meals were great, and the staff was very accommodating. We loved learning about Spain's culture and visiting Seville, Granada, and Cordoba, plus the service learning was fun! It's definitely worth recommending. For future improvement, it would be nice to have a microwave in the residence hall to use.

Janiva was outstanding as our director! She coordinated all daily activities, providing amazing educational, logistic, and emotional support to students and faculty. Her pre-trip planning and execution made this trip wonderful and memorable for CSUF. The program itself was immersive, provided a great opportunity to develop relationships, and offered a comprehensive, equity-minded approach to Spanish history.

The cultural excursions and city tours were invaluable for feeling safe and acclimated, especially in Granada. Living with peers 24/7 fostered great bonding. Future participants should budget carefully for meals and prioritize learning the local language. Don't forget vitamins and medication! Be optimistic and embrace new experiences outside your comfort zone.

Our director Janiva was incredibly thoughtful and ensured everyone was comfortable. Casa Almez was a beautiful and perfect homestay location. The overall experience in Granada, Spain, was a wonderful and enriching learning opportunity, offering fantastic culture, history, people, and food. This is a life-changing program for students wanting to study abroad.