Liberal Arts Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica

Altogether, I had a great time. We got to see so much and I believe the pacing of the program was great, spending the right amount of time at each location. La Fortuna was my favorite! Traveling in a large group brought up trouble with waiting on students, health issues, etc. but I still think they were able to make the most of it. Having a flexible schedule and being open to adjustments definitely helps. Our guide Rodrigo and our bus drivers were the best!

I really enjoyed this experience. My review is based off of a free trip less expenses such as food and transportation, as I received scholarships for this course. I do know that many students paid upwards of $7,000 on this study abroad trip, which I do find to be a bit much. Considering we were staying in $80 / night hotels with non-working lights, mediocre amenities, and bad air conditioning and bedding coupled with the scarcity of included meals, the figure should have been more around $3,000 without airfare cost. I do not understand how the cost was so high for what was received. I also found living in the dorms with random Costa Rican people to be fun, but a bit restrictive. The morning meals were literally eggs, a piece of bread, and really bad coffee. I was also staying in a really small bunk bed which was uncomfortable. Staying in an affordable hotel would have been better. Next time I recommend the school book out Ester’s Place which is closer to the tech campus and run by a lovely lady who has many rooms available in her home hotel. She also had a much better breakfast and the cost was only $65 / night per person. I stayed here my first night flying in on the 12th and wish I could have gone back but due to restrictions I was not allowed. My family of four at the time in 2019 went on an all inclusive cruise to Italy, Spain, and France for under $10,000 with included meals, drinks , stay, etc. So this trip being $7,000 + for just ONE PERSON is a bit crazy. Regardless, the activities were awesome and for me, price was not an issue as stated before. So, my review without price factored was it was amazing. Great tour guide Rodrigo was so knowledgeable and a very nice guy. He took us to authentic places and not just generic touristy places. I enjoyed seeing the stark contrast in sustainability initiatives between exotic resorts, quasi-governmental organizations, and design firms. I truly did get a wonderful experience with understanding how firms work and the metric process used to gather sustainability info, as well as how to tell if a company may be kind of BS-ing the situation with their sustainability initiatives, or holding themselves accountable. I loved the zip line tour and the coffee and cocoa bean tour. The history tours around the towns was cool, but truly was not necessary. I feel we could have just had an informational PDF sent to us instead of touring these relatively boring historical landmarks. Activities are always more fun than learning about history. I think it would have been much more effective to fly into Liberia, tour the beach and Penninsula Papagayo’s HOA office, then make our way back to San Jose and visit firms, then fly out of SJO. The amount of time driving was frustrating. Or, instead, we would just fly into SJO and tour the Caribbean side of things and skip the western side of Costa Rica altogether. This way the time could be allocated more effectively. I also wish the professors would have split us into groups so we could have gotten to know everyone. There were certain folks I never really got to have conversations with because the groups would naturally clique and we never had forced exposure to each other. Overall it was a wonderful trip and, with a few adjustments I know the next one will be awesome as well!

Coming to TTU Costa Rica was an amazing experience and allowed me to try lots of new and unique things. Rodrigo was the absolute best and the entire trip wouldn't have been half as great and smooth without him! Gonna miss him back in the states, thank you so much for an amazing time!

My Arcos director Andrea was amazing. She adapted the schedule and routes to accommodate our interests while ensuring our safety. The trip was a life-changing opportunity, opening my worldview and teaching me about Latin American cultures. It encouraged me to be adventurous, from zip-lining to trying new foods. A key challenge was the language barrier; I recommend putting effort into learning basic Spanish beforehand, bringing a rain jacket, and exchanging currency before arrival. Highly recommend this enriching program to students considering studying abroad.

Arcos provides an academically enriching study abroad experience, fully immersing students in a new culture. My homestay interactions were excellent, though clearer communication about housing and meal preferences (asking students before making meals) would be helpful for future participants. The experience offered invaluable benefits, fostering deep appreciation for my life and teaching me the power of kindness. This trip is best for those seeking full cultural immersion, not a vacation. Be sure to save extra money for eating out, as costs add up quickly.

Andrea was an excellent, professional, knowledgeable, and personable director, ensuring clear communication and smooth operations throughout the trip. While the CELIUM lecture was sometimes hard to follow due to the language barrier, the overall experience was fantastic. Being immersed in the culture, learning about Costa Rican businesses, and enjoying the excursions made this an experience I will always remember.

This program is highly recommended! Our director was amazing, always organized and accommodating. My homestay family was incredibly sweet and welcoming, making me feel right at home. The trip taught me valuable business insights and pushed me out of my comfort zone, turning strangers into good friends. Be ready for early mornings, and consider brushing up on Spanish to overcome the language barrier challenge.

Everything was fantastic! The learning content, focused on company visits and real-world interactions, was excellent. Our homestay hosts were incredibly kind and generous. Be prepared for unpredictable weather, and knowing some Spanish is helpful as English is not widely spoken. I met great people, tried new foods, experienced Costa Rica's natural beauty, and truly understood "pura vida."

Andrea was an awesome, knowledgeable guide who was readily available to assist with questions and booking extra activities. The lessons were very interesting and informative. While being away and the food were challenging, this study abroad program forces you out of your comfort zone, providing deep cultural insight into Costa Rica. Investing in a good raincoat is advised.

The director, was absolutely wonderful, attentive, and knowledgeable about Costa Rica and the activities. The homestay was a great experience, though the language barrier was challenging. Future students should go into homestays with an open mind, as they may not speak English. The trip offered a deep cultural immersion and a valuable lesson in the "pura vida" philosophy.

I did the Costa Rica program with Arcos Learning Abroad in Heredia. As a student, I would highly recommend this study abroad program for its exceptional academic and cultural benefits, which included having the support of our on-site director 24/7 and all of the cultural activities and excursions the program included.

Our Arcos director, Andrea, was amazing, helping us plan extra trips and transportation, ensuring we had everything we needed. The homestay experience was a major benefit, allowing for cultural immersion. Tips: Use Uber (safe and cheap), bring extra shoes, be prepared for all weather, and maintain a positive attitude.

My Spanish was not as advanced as I had hoped it would be for studying abroad but despite the language barrier challenge I had an amazing time and learned so much more than I had expected. I highly recommend this program for students seeking both academic and personal growth through an international experience.

The program was excellent! I highly recommend it for the enriching experiences it offers. The biggest challenge was learning enough Spanish to communicate with the homestay, so I advise future students to prepare for that. Remember to pack for rainy weather! I now have a new "pura vida" approach to life.

Meeting the director Andrea was a definite benefit. I learned to be grateful for what I have at home becaue when you live with a host family abroad it may not be as luxurious as you are accustomed to. Be prepared as your hosts may not be fluent in English, so it helps to brush up on your Spanish.

While I highly recommend this program, communication with the homestay was challenging as they did not speak English, and I did not speak Spanish. This made simple communication difficult so I recommend that you practice some Spanish before you come. Overall, I definitely recommend this program!

Andrea was amazing! The experience was eye-opening by being immersed in a new environment. Activities involving a translator can be challenging for attention spans. Do your research beforehand so you know what to expect regarding challenges like safety, the language barrier, and culture shock.

The Arcos Learning Abroad program in Heredia, Costa Rica is my top recommendation for students looking to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country. My biggest tip for future participants is to go into the experience with a positive attitude and enjoy every moment.

I did the Arcos Learning Abroad program in Heredia, Costa Rica and I am happy to be a reference and I recommend this to other students who are looking for a program that combines, host family, cultural activities, excursions, and learning in Costa Rica!

Studying in Barcelona had been a dream! I took classes in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, and Spanish Art and Cultural Heritage at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. My 7 weeks in that paradise were filled with exploration, inspiration, and so much fun. From amazing people to the delicious cuisine, and stunning architecture to the colorful culture, Spain should be at the top of the must-visit countries list. My favorite activity, besides spending my day at the beach, was wandering around the city without a map and being amazed by the beauty hidden in every corner of Barcelona. Thanks to the Spanish Art and Cultural Heritage class, I learned even more about this impressive history and culture. CIS helped me through every step of adapting to studying and living in Barcelona. They planned fun events for us, such as various tours in famous parts of Barcelona, beach picnic and volleyball, wine tasting, tours to towns in Spain, and cooking classes. I stayed at Aparto Pallars, which is conveniently located near the metro station, from which you can take the metro anywhere. I'm so grateful for this experience, and I'm definitely willing to go back to Barcelona or any other program with CIS!