Program Reviews

Sol Education provided the perfect foundation for me to study abroad! I had the best host mom, the best community around me, and the best directors. All these things combined made for the perfect setting to improve my Spanish. It truly got so much better over the course of a month and I attribute that to the foundation that Sol provided. Hard work and desire was also involved, but Sol made it so easy to have that passion to learn Spanish when you love the environment around you! The best thing about Sol is that there are often 2-3 activities per week. And that is really great because it gets you involved in the culture as well as involves you with your peers. It gives one a chance to get to know everyone in their program and I found that awesome because due to that, I met so many incredible people!

I loved Sol and Granada both so much. I wish i could have stayed longer. I really enjoyed the weekend excursions the program had planned for us but I also liked the free weekends we were given to do just anything we wanted to do. TRAVEL TRAVEL TRAVEL while you can. While you're in Europe there are so many fun (and cheap when compared to the prices in the US) destinations that are right at your fingertips. I wish the program would have had bigger destinations for a weekend excursion (which I am pretty sure they had if I had stayed longer) but I think going to Sevilla, Portugal, or Morocco would have been so cool. I will for sure be recommending this program to others at my school and others in my program. I am so happy that I went out of my comfort zone and studied abroad.

When I decided to study abroad, I knew that I would be traveling over 6,000 miles away from home and living in a city of 14 million Spanish speakers. Although that scared me a little bit, I cannot express how overjoyed I am with my decision. I firmly believe that in order for us to grow, we must be willing to step outside of our comfort zone. I did just that and now I have friends that have become a family, the confidence and fluency of the Spanish language, memories that I will cherish forever, a number of items crossed off the bucket-list, a new perspective of other cultures, a greater empathy and joy, an increased knowledge, a greater passion and drive, and overall happiness. My study abroad experience in Argentina has shaped who I am today, and I am better because of it.

I've led a total of 4 study abroad programs. This was the first with Sol Education Abroad, and it has been --hands down-- the best experience I've had. From the moment we exited the terminal area at Barajas airport in Spain to walking us to the security check point at the airport on our way home, the SOL staff was attentive, friendly, accessible round the clock, and couldn't have done more to make sure we had a great experience. They were knowledgeable and relatable to our students, warm and with a sense of humor, both Rocío and Marcell outdid themselves as they went out of their way to enhance our experience. We were sad to say goodbye to them, and I genuinely feel that they felt the same way when we parted ways. I would recommend, without reservations, working with Sol to anyone looking for a caring and attentive study abroad program provider.

The program was excellent. Classes, excursions and activities were well organized. Yeyo is a wonderful host. He is very cooperative and knowledgeable guide. He is very professional and very dedicated to the group. In the future I'd like a program at least two weeks to have more time to interact with locals. Our program was only a week and it was a little overwhelming and exhausting. Historic places and sites visited gave a complimentary understanding of cultures, peoples and customs of indigenous ethnics groups living in the area. A wonderful place to do educational programs. Families are well selected and students had a great experience learning from residents. Oaxaca has an outstanding food, and entertainment.I recommend to go to this program.

The program was an overall great over experience. I believe students would benefit if orientation was on the first day rather than the second day. It would have been nice to get more information about the culture on the first day, as well as knowing where other students are staying. Also it would be nice if the city tour was done earlier in the week as well to help learn to navigate the city.
The host family was very welcoming and friendly; it would be good if peers were able to live closer together. This way when walking to the meet up area and walking back home students are able to commute together.
Volunteering at La Posada was one of my favorite parts of the program; it was great to be able to work with the students of all ages. I believe it would be comforting to get a list of need for the teen mothers.

There aren't words to adequately express the impact that my three months in Costa Rica had on my life, and on me. I am eternally grateful to SOL for giving me the opportunity to experience first-hand the beautiful culture and traditions of Costa Rica and to explore all the beauty it has to offer. From short cultural activities, like traditional dancing and cooking, to more extensive trips, like La Fortuna waterfall and Volcán Arenal, SOL provides a wide variety of activities and trips that give you a glimpse of the richness and variety of this beautiful country. Staying with a host family is a precious, and unforgettable experience; I shed so many tears leaving my Mamá Tica who truly is like a mother to me and took such great care of me during my stay. I left with so many sweet friendships and priceless memories that compel me to come back, but also to live my life here in a new way. I will be forever touched by the lifestyle of Pura Vida, which reminds me to worry a little less, walk a little slower, and love a lot more. Part of my heart will forever remain in Costa Rica. Thank you, SOL!!

My experience in Costa Rica was amazing. Although it was only a week long, it was enough time to witness the positive outcomes that your work influenced. We were required to prepare lesson plans that would be presented to the students in Costa Rica and assist them in completing activities that go along with the lessons. Students also live with a host family. This experience allowed me to engage in new relationships and fully immerse myself in the Costa Rican culture. Interacting with the family is an important part of this experience as it allows students to gain life long friends and supporters. This experience has allowed me to become more confident and will forever be held close to my heart. I am looking forward to where I can return to Costa Rica to continue changing lives.

I had such a fantastic experience! We spent the mornings volunteering with kids and and afternoons doing cultural activities. I loved cooking, dance class, fruit tasting, and the Tucán Rescue Ranch. We got to see baby sloths and many other animals! They are trying to rehabilitate them and release them back into the wild. I also loved the waterfall! It was so beautiful! The stairs leading down to it are totally worth it and a great workout! The volcano in the distance was really pretty and the hot springs were so nice. Our two Sol representatives that took us everywhere were wonderful! They were so kind and fun! I felt really welcome with my host family too. They fed us really delicious food! Overall I had an amazing experience in Costa Rica.

When I found out that for the first time ever the preschool where I am employed had their spring break aligned perfectly with Fullerton's spring break (and the trip to Costa Rica) I knew it was meant to be. I was very nervous to begin the trip since this was one of the first times I was traveling alone, but from the moment our host family brought us into their home, I immediately felt more comfortable. They were so kind and open to our experience, it made everything more exciting. The Sol directors were funny, attentive, and caring, which made every excursion more enjoyable. Also, the hands-on experience we received from visiting La Posada de Belen and La Milpa school was so much fun and so meaningful in my career exploration. I recommend it!