Sol Education Abroad: Study Abroad in Heredia, Costa Rica

My classes and my teachers have been incredible, and I have already learned so much in my short time there. I would like to become a Sol Student Ambassador because I want to help other students feel excited and empowered by their decision to further their education because I believe it is truly one of the best choices one can make to influence their future, . Also, my experience at Costa Rica has had such a positive impact on my life that I am thankful for the chance to give my time and resources to all the program does.

In May I returned to the U.S. after four months abroad in Heredia, Costa Rica, a sweet, lively town about an hour by bus from the nation's capital, San Jose. I studied with Sol Education Abroad, and I loved it. The directors made sure that we were more than tourists: at every opportunity, we talked about the social, political, economic, and cultural situations of the areas we visited. I spent my semester parasailing, white-water rafting, waterfall rappelling, hiking, and zip-lining...all while taking five classes and improving my Spanish by leaps and bounds. (Parents, never fear! I did indeed study plenty, and one of my five classes was with locals. That's right, in Spanish for Spanish speakers, dealing with the Costa Rican government structure, with Spanish tests and Spanish presentations! Was it hard? YES. Was it worth it? YES.)

My Spanish improved big time, especially since I lived with a host family. I still talk to my host mom, and I have plans to return in a few years. My host family's open arms are just a microcosm of the way that all of Costa Rica welcomed us not simply as tourists, but rather students of their language and their culture. I had conversations with bus drivers and taxi drivers and hotel clerks alike, all whom were impressed by my desire to communicate in Spanish and excited to share their opinion on the best beaches or the most beautiful can't-miss views in the country.

I could talk about my time abroad for a really long time. I wrote a blog if you want to know more (equaltohismajesty.wordpress.com), but from volunteer work to typical meals to beach weekends with the girls to Holy Week processions that filled the streets, I can't do justice to how my time in Costa Rica with Sol changed me. Basically, I have to tell you this: just go! You won't be sorry; I know I wasn't.

Wow! I don't know where to start. My semester abroad with Sol Education in Heredia, Costa Rica was absolutely perfect. To begin with, the length was ideal (a little over 3 months with start and end dates almost identical to my semester at my home university). The homestay was an amazing way to learn about the culture and really master Spanish. The directors help you every step of the way as well! They plan activities for almost every weekend, and give suggestions for free weekends. Also, I feel like I was really able to bond with my fellow students because we all were able to take classes together. Heredia especially is an ideal location to study abroad because it has everything a large city has to offer but is close to more tranquil and jungly destinations as well. I would highly suggest using Sol Education for your study abroad semester, summer, week, month, etc. Down to the airport pick up and drop off, Sol did not fail to impress.

Studying abroad with Sol Education changed my life! The staff are dedicated to the mission of traveling with cultural awareness, giving back to the community where you've been given the opportunity to expand your world views, and diving deep into a understanding of a language your passionate about learning. I will never forget the experiences I had visiting a off the grid permaculture farm that I later had the opportunity to volunteer with. I'm grateful every day that I found Sol Education and think about the people I met and experiences I had every day.

When someone comes back from going abroad it is hard to truly captivate what growth and experiences they have gained in the process. During my time abroad, which now just feels like a dream, I was pushed to my limits and challenged unlike I had been in the past. I was physically pushed by hiking volcanos, whitewater rafting, cliff jumping, and attempts at surfing. Mental I was pushed whether it was simply learning the language or ideology and philosophy. The trip gave me everything I had hoped to gain- amazing stories, wonderful pictures, knowledge, confidence, and friends.

A lot of Costa Rica is just going where life takes you. One weekend, life took me to Manuel Antonio. While I sat at the beach, baby monkeys would distract visitors while the adults would get into bags. We even had a racoon open up one of our backpacks trying to get food. Who would have thought the best pick pockets here would be the animals! You really had to be careful with your items, or else something would get their paws all over it.

University of Houston - Downtown's study abroad to Costa Rica offered together with SOL Education Abroad is nothing less than perfect! It is the perfect length for a real but not unreasonable commitment. It is the perfect place because it is exotic but somehow quite familiar. It has the perfect classes offered for any level of Spanish Language study. The host families are incredible. The excursions are unmatched. And the overall experience is exactly what it's advertised to be, ¡Pura Vida!

I think this program is very well set up with the excursions during the first three weeks and time to travel alone or with friends during the following weeks that you chose to stay for the program. I also believe the three week long programs are a good amount of time for each class. My favorite part of the whole experience was my host family. They were so personable and willing to open their house to me that by the time I left 11 weeks later I felt as if I was part of the family. I miss them every day, and they really helped me to enjoy the experience more. Overall this experience was well worth the cost and I would love to study abroad through SOL Education Abroad again.