Study Abroad
Have fun—and expand your horizons—when you travel to another part of the world through the ACC Short-Term Study Abroad program. Enhance your education while gaining a global perspective on different cultures, theories, governments, history, art, architecture, language, and the economy. When you travel to another part of the world, you enrich your academic experience by gaining new perspectives on your field of study. You grow intellectually, socially, and personally and boost your independence, self-confidence, and flexibility. You also expand your worldview and your appreciation of cultural diversity, cultural sensitivity, and empathy. Travel classes include a variety of educational choices during the summer term. Scholarships and fundraising are available.
As part of ACC's high-impact education, every program is intentionally designed to feature guided learning, cultural engagement, program immersion, and experiences to drive global competency development and connect your learning to your overall educational experience at ACC. Each class is designed to focus on an area of study to help grow your personal skills and benefit your education and professional goals.
Upcoming Trips
Spain and Portugal - Lisbon, Madrid, and Barcelona - 2024
Lisbon, Evora, Seville, Madrid, Toledo & Barcelona
May 27 - June 7, 2024
Have you ever wanted to visit another country or have not traveled for a while?
Now is your chance to explore!
ACC has an amazing study abroad program. We have taken over 400 students abroad to explore, learn and grow their education, career, and personal goals.
Our next amazing trip is planned for May 27 - June 7, 2024, to Lisbon, Evora Seville, Madrid, Toledo, and Barcelona. Our program is intentionally designed to feature guided learning, cultural engagement, program emersion, and experiences to drive global competency development and connect your learning in ACC programs. On this trip, we are offering the opportunity to explore Ceramics, Creative Writing, Humanities, Interior Design, Photography, and Spanish.
This program is great for all students in any pathway. We are providing fun and creative non-credit choices which allow you to select a program outside of your department. Try something new! All students are welcome, concurrent enrollment, degree students, community education students, and graduates.
Take a peek at our amazing itinerary:
Day 1: Depart Denver
As a group, we will depart from DIA. We will give you great tips on travel, packing, and flights. We provide an orientation and a few group gatherings to get you ready.
Day 2-3: Lisbon
We will take a walking tour of the age-old Islamic Alfama district of Lisbon, which includes 16th-century aristocratic palaces and churches. View the Tower of Belém, from which many navigators set sail. Visit the Monument to the Discoveries, a series of statues commemorating the many explorers of Portugal. Followed by São Jorge Castle, an 11th-century fortress, and Jerónimos Monastery, a monastery built by King Manuel to honor the country’s great voyagers. Take the local trolley to the top of the hill for panoramic views. Enjoy the local Portuguese lemon custard pastries. Yum!
Day 4: Lisbon • Evora • Seville
Depart Lisbon. Stop in the small town of Évora, a Roman town lined with whitewashed houses and colorful azulejos, on your way to Seville. Shop the local streets. Take a guided tour of Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit Evora's Chapel of Bones. See the Giralda Tower, part of the Great Mosque of Seville and transformed with Renaissance stylings by the Catholic Church.
Day 5: Seville
Take a tour of Seville where you will see Barrio de Santa Cruz's Old Town with narrow, twisting alleys, while you enjoy shopping and local food. Visit Maria Luisa Park, and its mosaics and fountains of Plaza de España and the Plaza de Toros to learn about the tradition of Spanish bullfighting. Visit Seville Cathedral, the third-largest church in the world that took more than a century to build, and the Seville Alcázar, an architectural wonder originally founded as a fort for the governors of Seville in 913. See a modern lard mark, the Metro Parasol. You can climb to the top to see amazing panoramic views of the city. Visit at night and see it light up in vibrant colors.
Day 6: Seville • Madrid
Travel by the high-speed, energy-efficient AVE train to Madrid. Take a guided tour of Madrid to see, Puerta del Sol, one of the city’s busiest squares, Plaza Mayor, the center of old Madrid where you’ll learn about the grand square’s history of bullfights, royal weddings, and public executions and Plaza de Oriente, the Royal Palace Square, located across from the Royal Palace. Visit the Royal Palace, once the seat of the most powerful court in the world and where Spain officially joined the European Community in 1986. Enjoy a variety of local tapas and treat yourself to the decadent Spanish chocolate and churro dessert - it's a must!
Day 7: Madrid • Toledo
Visit the nearby town of Toledo, and tour the Church of Santo Tomé, home to a famous El Greco painting. Visit a synagogue and explore the history of multiple religions that coexisted in Toledo. Visit the Toledo Cathedral, a spectacular example of Gothic architecture. Followed by a sword-making demonstration.
Day 8: Madrid • Barcelona
Travel by AVE train to Barcelona. Take a walking tour of Las Ramblas, a pedestrian mall where you’ll find endless entertainment, restaurants, markets, monuments, and shopping.
Day 9-11: Barcelona
Take a guided tour of Barcelona. You will visit La Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s masterpiece cathedral that is over 130 years in the making. From the top of Montjuïc, enjoy panoramic views of the harbor below. Explore the Gothic Quarter, a memory of the Roman Empire, now lined with shops and restaurants. Visit Barcelona Cathedral, a Gothic Revival church known for its gargoyles and other mythical animals. Visit Park Güell, a vast public park designed by Antoni Gaudí that features colorful mosaics and remarkable architecture. Visit La Sagrada Família, a massive cathedral that was started in 1883 and remains unfinished. Enjoy a visit to the Picasso Museum and watch a flamenco performance. Celebrate with your new friends at our farewell dinner as you enjoy traditional tapas.
Day 12:
Return home with amazing stories and photos to share with classmates, family, and friends.
Art Exhibition Opportunity
If you wish, you may participate in a gallery exhibition featuring art and photography created from the trip.
What is included in the EF Tour travel price:
- Domestic and international flights
- Centrally located hotels, all rooms have a private bath
- Three rooming options
- Continental breakfast every day at the hotel.
- 4 local traditional dinners
- Comprehensive insurance includes medical and travel
- Fees cover the scheduled tours and museum visits listed on the itinerary
- Full-time, 24/7 local, bilingual Tour Director
- 24/7 on-the-ground emergency support
EF Tours provides payment plans. Save your spot with a $95 deposit.
Visit the link to see the current price and rooming options.
Students will also register with ACC for the class component, fee $150.
Since 2007 we have partnered with Education First Tours, creating safe, private, and custom trips tailored to our program.
EF has a $200 discount until the end of February 2023.
We have already started fundraising to help you pay for the trip. Learn more!
Visit our website Study Abroad Program, to see our video, trip photos, and student articles.
To learn more about the program, and fundraising contact the study abroad coordinator at trish [dot] sangelo [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (trish[dot]sangelo[at]arapahoe[dot]edu).
Plaza de España in Seville
Student Perspective
"Study Abroad gave me the opportunity to experience different cultures, and people and embrace a way of life outside of my own. Through Study Abroad I also developed unique friendships and a sense of independence all while continuing to build photographic skills. The Study Abroad Program through ACC made me feel comfortable traveling out of the country for the first time, the program provides the necessary support for such adventures while simultaneously giving each student the independence to experience these new places through their own perspective. The classes that are a part of the trips spend time making sure each student is prepared before traveling and continues supporting us during and after the trip. Traveling with a wide range of programs allows us to learn from one another by spending time together while sharing our fields of study and different perceptions of the world around us. We made new business and educational connections through each other as well as long-lasting friendships."
Madi, ACC Student, Amsterdam and Berlin 2022
Environment and Culture in Costa Rica - 2025
San José, Arenal Region, Los Chiles, Monteverde, Central Pacific Coast, & Sarchí
May 30 - June 7, 2025 (9 days)
Visit the EF Website for current price and to register
Imagine waking up to the calls of howler monkeys and mist rolling in before you trek into the cloud forest. You’re not in Littleton, Colorado, anymore! At its heart, the Central American country boasts an epic landscape that is home to nearly 5 percent of the world’s biodiversity. Discover how fragile these endangered ecosystems are as you travel through different rainforest preserves and unearth dazzling displays of color and sound.
The Biology, Geology, Photography, and Spanish programs will collaborate on this unique Study Abroad experiences. Students will foster intercultural competency, communication, and learn, compare, and contrast approaches and methodologies while furthering their education, career exploration, and personal growth. While on tour, each program includes intentionally designed components:
Guided Learning: Instruction will be provided through experiential and high-impact practices, immersion, and hands-on learning via guided intercultural visits, workshops, and tours led by local guides and educators.
Engagement: Students will engage with the Latinx community and regional organizations to gain deeper insight into the local culture, and diversity to build a broader network.
Faculty-Led Time: Faculty will help connect the group activities and cultural experience to each area of study so that students can connect their personal growth to their educational and career goals. When students return, they will prepare final projects, and presentations, and exhibit an art show reflecting their experience.
Take a peek at our amazing itinerary:
Day 1: Depart Denver and fly travel to Costa Rica
Before travel, students will participate in a travel tips and packing session, review what to expect, and a safety orientation; faculty will provide pre-class sessions.
Day 2: San José • Arenal Region
Take a walking tour of San José, the capital of Costa Rica, and learn about it with your Tour Director. Visit Arenal Volcano, one of the largest active volcanoes in Costa Rica. Visit the Arenal hot springs and dip your toes into the naturally heated pools.
Day 3: Arenal Region • Los Chiles
Take a day trip to Los Chiles, a bustling community only a few miles from the Nicaraguan border and overflowing with Costa Rica’s trademark biological splendor. Take a boat tour at the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge and see the rare and endangered animals that have made the refuge their home.
Day 4: Arenal Region • Monteverde
Visit La Fortuna Waterfall via 500 stairs (optional), a spectacular 200-foot cascade surrounded by green cliffs. Travel to Monteverde, a region consisting of flora and fauna across six ecological zones.
Day 5: Monteverde
Visit the community-run Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. Learn about their mission to promote environmentally conscious development practices. Plant a tree in the EF Reserve and leave a positive mark on the earth. Walk through the clouds on a canopy adventure – enjoy ziplining over the tree tops (optional).
Day 6: Monteverde • Central Pacific Coast
Travel to the Central Pacific Coast. Visit Rainforest Adventures and Experience. The group will enjoy an hour-long aerial tram ride, a guided nature hike, and visit a butterfly garden.
Day 7: Central Pacific Coast
Visit Manuel Antonio National Park, which boasts a diverse array of marine life and white sand beaches where you can sometimes spot dolphins and whales. Enjoy a crocodile river tour to get an up-close view of crocodiles and exotic birds from the safety of your boat.
Day 8: Central Pacific Coast • Sarchí • San José
Travel via Sarchi, a crafts center known for its brightly painted ox carts, on your way to San José. Visit a coffee plantation to learn how these beverages are produced and sip on samples. At our farewell dinner, discover the special songs, stories, images, and flavors that make up Costa Rica’s rich folkloric culture. Take part in our Costa Rican Fiesta Night and savor a buffet of traditional local fare as you enjoy marimba music and entertainment by a local dance troupe. Experience the pura vida (pure life) that Costa Ricans herald as a hallmark of their heritage.
Day 9: Depart Costa Rica
Fly home with many stories, experiences, and memories you can share with your family, friends, and classmates!
Art Exhibition Opportunity
If you wish, you may participate in a gallery exhibition featuring art and photography created from the trip. Receive a Global Participation Certificate and celebrate with fellow travelers, ACC community, family, and friends!
What is included in the EF Tours travel price:
- Domestic and international flights
- Ground Transportation
- Accommodations / Hotels, all rooms have a private bath
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Comprehensive insurance includes medical and travel
- Fees cover the tours listed on the itinerary
- Full-time, 24/7 local, bilingual Tour Director
- 24/7 on-the-ground emergency support
Since 2007 we have partnered with Education First Tours (EF), creating safe, private, and custom trips tailored to our program.
- Program number: 2576944JS
- EF Tours provides monthly payment plans
- Save your spot with EF Tours with only a $95 deposit
- Registration is open until December 2024 or until full.
Early enrollment discounts:
- EF is offering a $200 discount until Dec 30, 2023
- EF Tours college or high school return travelers get an extra $100 off
- The first 10 students who register with EF Tours will receive an ACC study abroad $200 scholarship towards their EF Tours trip account
- This will total $400 - $500 off for those who register first!
Participating Programs
All students are welcome to participate in study abroad, including, currently enrolled students, graduates, Workforce and Community Programs participants, and concurrent enrollment high school students.
Students will take a pre-request class in one of the following programs in the fall or spring semester leading up to the trip. Students do not need to be in one of these majors / pathways to participate. The trip is a non-credit academic program.
Biology / Professor Dr. Jenai Rutledge
Students will focus on the identification of organisms and the examination of ecological concepts and principles. The course involves in-depth field study of natural environments and requires hands-on laboratory and field experience. Students will practice in field studies conducted at the field site, take field notes, and collect data that they will use for post-trip activities in which students synthesize their findings.
Geology / Professor Mark Leatherman
Students will have the opportunity to experience geology in a field setting, apply geologic principles, and complete in-depth studies of the specific geologic features and history of an area of geologic interest. Students will identify and describe the geologic processes and the geologic history responsible for the features encountered on the trip. Students will practice in field studies conducted at the field site, take field notes, and collect data that they will use for post-trip activities in which students synthesize their findings.
Photography / Group Leader and Professor Trish Sangelo
Whether you’re an experienced photographer or an enthusiastic amateur, the incredible biodiversity and natural beauty of Costa Rica are certain to inspire a portfolio full of treasures. Costa Rica’s lush cloud forests and scenic coastlines are the perfect backdrops to practice photography. With a traditional digital camera or your smartphone macro features, learn to capture the wonder of tropical plants, insects, amphibians, birds, and mammals. Explore a variety of landscape settings, including the vibrant cloud forest from the treetops, La Fortuna Waterfall, river habitats by boat, and an active volcano. Enjoy documenting the cities of San José and Los Chiles, as you learn about the people, environment, and history of Central America. When students return, they will participate in an art exhibition featuring their work.
Spanish / Professor Veronica Chaves
A study abroad experience will strengthen students’ communicative abilities, proficiency, and cultural competency in Spanish. It will provide an opportunity to be immersed in the culture and language. Students will be able to use their Spanish language skills in real-life situations and grasp culture firsthand. This will deepen their cross-cultural understanding, will boost their confidence when communicating in Spanish, and overall, will provide students with life experience and contribute to a well-rounded education. Students will maintain a journal of their experiences and ideas. Will research and present topics based on their interests in the places we will visit. When we return, they will give presentations in different formats (live or recorded, oral or written.
What is the ACC Study Abroad Experience?
Study Abroad Virtual Gallery
Student art and photography
View the virtual gallery Across the Globe Gallery Exhibition
Study Abroad Club
Through the Study Abroad Club at ACC, you’ll deepen your international understanding and develop skills that will empower you to embrace cultural diversity and a better understanding of global interaction. To learn more about the club, or to attend meetings, contact the trish [dot] sangelo [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (Study Abroad Coordinator).
Program Mission
The mission of the ACC Short-Term Study Abroad Program provides study abroad programs in a variety of disciplines throughout the college. These classes incorporate an international and intercultural understanding that can enrich this unique educational opportunity. Study abroad allows students to immerse themselves in a worldwide experience fostering a global perspective on different cultures, theories, history, art, architecture, and the economy.
