Spanish Study Abroad Programs in Mexico

As a first-generation, Mexican American college student, I had the opportunity to challenge myself, academically and personally, in a place I never been. I do not regret this decision at all. I took every opportunity that I was presented with; social media ambassador, internship at a human rights commission, and most importantly, building relationships.

I I initially went to study abroad to expand my knowledge and immerse myself in a Spanish-speaking culture to increase my development and support my future desires to work in social work specifically advocating for Latino Americans struggling in the US that go against social systems that continue to oppress the Latino community. My experience during my study abroad program turned out to be way more than that. The people I met both my peers, and the staff completely changed my outlook on life and social work in general, pushing me to strive for myself academically, socially, and culturally. I am forever grateful for the experience I encountered during my study abroad program in Mexico with all of our speakers I had the honor of hearing their stories and their struggles and their achievements throughout their life, dealing with various types of discrimination. The encouragement I received from the study abroad staff helped me tremendously throughout various personal struggles, especially it being my first time living away from home I could not be more grateful for what this program taught me in the person it taught me to become, and I am still becoming in my Host family will forever be close to my heart and it feels like I have a home wherever I go, and if I could, I would do it all over again

It is hard to write a short review for my time in Mexico because of how big of an experience it was-- not only because of how much I learned from professors and community members alike, but also from the sheer amount of fun and changes in perspective I was able to have in the short 4 months. Before I left for this study abroad experience I was terrified; I didn't know the language, or anyone else who was going, I had no frame of reference for what it was going to be like, and I was afraid that I would be so out of my comfort zone that I wouldn't have any fun. However, I felt right at home within the space that the professors and staff of Augsburg have worked so hard to create in order to make every student feel safe and welcome. There is a great emphasis on community and care for one another which can be felt through every aspect of this experience. Of course it was challenging at times, but the challenges were incredibly rewarding and allowed me to learn more about myself, others, and the world than I ever could have hoped (along with the help of my peers, who are now life long friends). I feel so lucky to have been a part of this program and hope that more students will take the leap and allow themselves to be cared for, inspired, and taught by everyone who works hard to make this such a special opportunity.

The experience perfectly combined both academic exploration with cultural expsoure. Antonio was a great guide who was available for us at all times of the day. There was effective communication between us, the students, and those in charge.

I just loved the art community and vibe in Oaxaca!!! The students loved it too The family we stayed with was extremely warm and were interested in our lives and how we were enjoying our stay. The cultural trips were fantastic. I especially loved working on the "grabados" and the visit to the Hierve del agua.

NOTE: i traveled to arcos with a college so they handled most of the logistics of payment and insurance and such. I took only Spanish with Arcos and it was a very nice class that I honestly wish we had for a longer period of time. Sometimes I wished it was as long as the excursions that we took, which were absolutely amazing and the Arcos team had deep insight so that our guide was never overwealmed by the amount of students/questions. They were able to translate and answer questions about Oaxaca during excursions and even recommend things to do/places to go during time off.

I had a great time in Oaxaca. Toño and Eva were such great facilitators of the program, and living with my host family—Gude and Ramiro, as well as their kids Veronica and Husai—was a really special moment in my life. I am eternally grateful that they decided to open their home to me and David.

It was good I enjoyed living with a host family and being immersed in Spanish for the most part. I was also frequently impressed with the sites we would go to. I never felt unsafe and the experience allowed me to bond with my classmates

Though the two-week program is condensed, my kind teacher focused on practical skills. The homestay was the best part; my family was incredibly inclusive and helped me practice Spanish. I improved my language skills and formed great relationships. A tip: learning basic Spanish helps communication with your homestay family. Budgeting was my main challenge due to the amazing food and places to explore in Oaxaca.

The program offers an incredible experience. Paulina was a wonderful director, sharing her deep knowledge of Oaxacan and Mexican culture. My class with Professor Itzel was phenomenal. The homestay with Rosalva and her family was incredibly welcoming; I truly felt like part of their family. Don't let a language barrier scare you—everyone was patient and understanding.

The Arcos director was knowledgeable about Oaxaca, especially its art and culture. I highly recommend this program in Mexico; it was worth it! I learned Spanish and took a Spanish class, and I can't wait to return to see my host family and all of the excurison sites we went to.

I honestly had such a great experience with Iguana Abroad. I went in hoping to improve my Spanish and ended up getting way more out of it than I expected. My Spanish improved a lot in a short amount of time, I guess one reason is mainly because you’re using it every day, not just in class but out in the city too, on the events, and with people always surrounded closeby to help all the time (the two Harrys, Fabi, the teachers, and just all the other members on the team and people involved with making this course truly special) The teachers were really friendly and easy to talk to, which made a huge difference. Classes felt relaxed but still super helpful, and everything we learned was actually useful in real life. I never felt stressed or embarrassed about making mistakes. The activities and trips were one of my favorite parts. They were super fun, really well organized, and gave us tons of chances to practice Spanish while exploring different parts of Mexico. Everything was basically just really well organized from the start. The staff were always around if you needed help, and I felt safe and supported the whole time, especially as someone traveling alone. Things start from way before you actually arrive in Cuernavaca - talking with the staff, the teachers, reading the personal report and all of that stuff. This course honestly is different for all the best reasons. And of course, meeting amazing people through the program and made friends I’ll definitely stay in touch with. Overall, Iguana Abroad was an unforgettable experience, and I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to improve their Spanish while actually living it!!!

A friend suggested Iguana Abroad to me and I cannot thank them enough. We actually came together for the summer course and I would say coming with a friend or partner you already have is such a great idea because the memories and moments shared are so so special. It is such a great way to make moments with great friends. Many of the other students on the course came by themselves and had incredible times and we’re actually still in touch with basically everybody else from the course … I can’t really think of anybody Iguana Abroad wouldn’t work really well for.

Iguana Abroad is the key to learning Spanish in my opinion. I have tried for many years to really get good but have never reached the levels that I really wanted to … at least until I did Iguana Abroad!! For me, language apps, online courses, even online classes have always left me feeling like I still don’t really know what I am doing in actual, real life experiences, but that’s what this course totally changed for me. The huge amount of genuine interactions and memories together with the really good classroom lessons were totally priceless to me and how I learn… and there is such an individual focus to each student as well I’d say, and how each individual learns - starting way before the course even begins, doing an online “Needs Analysis Session” with one if Iguana Abroad’s teachers, and receiving a report to help you prepare for the course and get the most out of it. No doubt the best language course there is.

This course was an absolute game-changer!!! Literally from day one, the focus on practical, real-life Spanish made every class engaging and immediately useful. I felt like the lessons (on the beautiful school campus!) were really cleverly designed to push you just enough out of your comfort zone, plus the one-on-one attention available all the time ensures you never feel lost. Beyond the classroom, the cultural experiences— just wow... excursions, local interactions, Mexican culture - the food! - and even simple day-to-day adventures— all of this truly turned learning into something immersive and unforgettable. The team is incredible - as you hear in all the other reviews on here: approachable, knowledgeable, and genuinely so enthusiastic and passionate about helping you improve, making you fall in love with Mexico. I left feeling not only much more confident in Spanish but truly inspired by the culture, the people, and the friendships I made along the way. A few of us even have some plans to meet again in Mexico. If you’re serious about learning Spanish and having a truly incredible experience, this course is unbeatable!

Absolutely wonderful time on the course. Excellently organised down to every detail, nothing had been forgotten, and there is clearly an awful lot of passion apparent throughout the course, right from the Program Directors (Harry and Harry), to the staff and teachers at the school, to the guides, drivers and locals on the excursions. It was a really magical trip, I am so much more confident with my Spanish, and I have lifelong friends that I share some really special memories with. Highly recommended!

The Arcos Learning Abroad program in Oaxaca is an invaluable experience. The on-site staff was excellent and communicative, offering great suggestions for local activities. My UABJO classes were instrumental in expanding my Spanish skills. The homestay with Ángeles was a highlight—she is incredibly kind, generous, and her cooking was wonderful. This program fosters significant personal growth, and I highly recommend it for both academic and personal development.

I met wonderful people and gained a broader perspective on community and culture in Mexico. The teachers were great and the classes were very personalized. My homestay was lovely, with amazing food. Bring a laundry bag! After an initial adjustment period with the language barrier, the experience was amazing.

If you are looking for an immersion program that’s worth your time and money Iguana Abroad is it!!! The Iguana Abroad program is a labor of love by two BFF’s; both named Harry. They put their heart and soul into ensuring I had the best opportunity to immerse into the Méxican culture. I lived with a local family which was amazing. Iguana Abroad’s partnership with the renowned Universidad International provided classroom instruction with their Professors , a beautiful campus and supportive administrative staff. Our weekly activities and outings made interaction with the community fun and informative. The city of Cuernavaca is truly amazing and the climate was fantastic. I just can’t say enough about the Harrys and Iguana Abroad. If you are thinking about it don’t, just do it!!

To begin with the positives, I felt as if this program was set-up to make sure students thoroughly got the most out of their time in Oaxaca, despite only having one month. We were able to go to all of the touristy spots, but also be introduced one where (and how to find) the hidden gems across the city! I feel like I definitely got to experience a lot of what Oaxaca had to offer within the month. And in addition to this, my coursework was very engaging and encouraged students to compare the class lessons with real life examples and current events. Through all of these experiences, it created a stepping stone for future adventures! My only issues were that some days were really packed and didn't seem like administration accounted for how tired students would be after 1 or 2 activities.