Program Reviews

This was my second time attending this SOL Education in Costa Rica and it was exceptional. I liked the whole itinerary and opportunities to learn spontaneously. What I really love is that even when there are small changes or a bump in the road the SOL support team are there to help the students move forward and gain an experience from the whole process. It was a great experience and I feel that the combination of the staff and families as well as Posada de Belen staff created a wonderful experience. One suggestion for the next time is to have a little more structure at Posada de Belen allowing our students to train staff or parents about child development. My favorite memory was visiting/meeting the teen mothers at Posada.

Studying abroad with Sol in Oaxaca was such an amazing experience! It is a full immersion program so even over the course of 4 weeks my Spanish-speaking abilities developed immensely. All of the excursions were so fun, unique, and informative. The directors were so sweet and available all the time. They truly wanted to know who we were, not just make sure we did what we were supposed to. I had a better experience with the teachers at UABJO than I even had at my home university! If you are looking for a unique and awesome study abroad experience I highly recommend going to Oaxaca, Mexico with Sol Education!

This was my first time studying abroad and so many emotions came with that. I was nervous, excited, and even a little scared at first. However, this experience even only being two weeks is something I will always hold close to my heart. This experience was not a vacation for me but the oppertunity to experience another culture. This program allowed me to appreciate a culture different then my own, people who are different then me but who I came to love, and how big and beautiful the world and it’s truly differences are. Thank you for this opportunity!

Sol is amazing. I was able to learn so much Spanish, and gain so many life long friendships. My host family was amazing, and I really felt at home with them. Classes were Monday-Friday from 8-11. Every couple of weeks, we went on an excursion to different places all around Costa Rica. Some incursions were zip lining, going to the beach, going to the rain forest, and white water rafting. Our directors of our program were amazing, and very helpful. There isn't a better place to spend the semester.

This SOL experience was unique because you are immerse in a new culture. Learning about a new culture is so cool as you get to understand and experience quality food. For examples tapas, free food when you buy a drink. Life is so much fun here in Spain. You will have time to travel, travel travel, travel if you do longer program, the 4 months one. Some of my favorite memories Aboard is getting to know some cool people. Life is so much more relaxing when you are studying Aboard. If given the opportunity I would definitely chose studying Aboard!

I really enjoyed studying abroad in Granada. I really enjoyed my classes and living with a host family is an experience I´ll never forget. My host mom was so sweet and really made my experience special. In addition to my classes, I also had the opportunity to do an internship in a local Spanish hospital, which is something really unique to this program. I really enjoyed having the chance to get experience in a hospital and practice Spanish at the same time, and it definitely was one of my favorite parts of my study abroad experience. I feel like my Spanish really improved and getting to travel to so many different places was amazing! If I had the chance to do it all over again I wouldn´t change a thing!

Prior to coming to Granada I didn´t have much of a preconcieved idea as to what the experience was going to entail. I didn´t know how big Granada was, I didn´t know what they culture and the people were like, had zero idea how hard my classes were going to be... but i was excited! This experience has been one of the best decisions i´ve made and i am so glad i decided to do it here! After traveling to other cities, I couldn´t imagine studying anywhere other than Granada. It is the perfect size for students. Most everyone speaks soley in Spanish and the city is small enough you can walk just about anywhere in a decent amount of time yet big enough you don´t feel like you´re in a pueblo. Granada also has the perfect location-- it´s just a bus ride away from hiking, the beach, and the mountains. There is literally something for everyone to do.
I am so glad I picked SOL because coming from Missouri State it was one of my cheapest options and the onsite staff have bene wonderful. They have a good repuation of having good host families, and it´s true. The families are absolutely wonderful.
I would definitely recomend this program and this city to just about anyone wanting to spend an extended amount of time in Spain.
TRAVEL AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. When will you ever get to be abroad for 4 months again? Use your weekends, go out and have tapas, spend time with Spaniards, spend time with people from school, this is a once in a lifetime experience and you wont want to go home having any regrets!

With only two weeks until I leave for the U.S., my time in Granada is officially coming to a close. It is strange to think how quickly my time here is ending. When I first arrived in January, I remember feeling overwhelmed by how much time I was going to be in a foreign place. Four months felt like an eternity. I felt uncertain of how I would handle being away from home for such a long time. However, I now feel like those four months have flown by. I cannot believe how quickly time has passed. It’s funny how slowly time seems to be moving, and then, as you become engrossed in your everyday life, it suddenly moves at an extremely rapid pace.
I feel infinitely grateful for my time in Granada this semester. I had the opportunity to experience Spanish culture, improve my Spanish language skills, and meet some incredible people. I was able to travel to many countries: Italy, Belgium, France, Portugal, and Spain of course. I was able to be in Europe with my family and new friends that I made while being here. Coming into this, I sincerely had no expectations. People would ask me if I was excited, and I never really knew what to say. I was excited to be in a new country, but I did not really know what for. I had not yet met the people I would be spending all my time with. I had never been to Spain. I had no plans for what I was going to do when I was here. So I came into this expecting nothing, and I feel so grateful for the many incredible things I received.
Furthermore, I feel as though I have grown as a person throughout my time here. I have learned that putting yourself in unfamiliar situations can result in great self improvement. I was so nervous to come here because there was so much I did not know. However, I feel as though I have become a more confident, independent, and optimistic person because of it. I was able to meet people I never would have had I stayed at home: my incredible host mom, my roommate, and the many, many other friends I have made. While learning to appreciate a new culture, I also gained a new appreciation for my own home in the U.S.. There is so much I have learned, and I hope to bring these lessons with me wherever I go. I have simply had the best time.

My experience with SOL education abroad was amazing. I came here very stressed out and nervous that i wasnt going to make it all the way through the semester or have a good time. However, I met so many wonderful people, including my host family who made my stay so much better and helped me to grow so much as a person. The classes in the university were also great and the professors were wonderful teachers and an even better help for adjusting to life here. i learned so much from my time here and I would recommend it to anyone who was considering studying abroad.

Sol´s Granada, Spain program has been a phenomenal experience! I have greatly enjoyed being immersed in Spanish learning and daily life, and it has resulted in significant improvement in my Spanish skills. Excursions were well-planned, informative, and interesting. I have met so many people here from diverse backgrounds, and made lasting memories! Make sure to check out the miradors throughout the city to take in vistas of the Alhambra at sunset.