Program Reviews

Our daughter had the best time in Oaxaca learning Spanish, taking in the local culture, meeting friends, touring beautiful sites, and bonding with her host family. We were obviously concerned at the outset, when we started looking for a Spanish immersion program, that she book with a reputable organization that would ensure her safety and provide a rewarding experience. Sol Abroad definitely did that and more! From the beginning, the staff were always responsive to our questions. They helped us throughout the registration process, and communicated during the weeks leading up to the trip. While she was in Mexico, they kept us informed. She loved her host family and became close with them. We also felt it was a good value for the cost. Thank you, Sol Abroad, for everything!

This program was amazing! From the moment I signed up to go, the Sol Abroad staff was engaging, personable, and worked to help adjust the dates of the program to better fit my schedule. The directors involved in helping us when we arrived were very welcoming, informative, and funny! The host family I stayed with was so inviting and truly made me and my roommate feel apart of their family. Everyone involved in coordinating/helping with this program went above and beyond to ensure our safety and enjoyment throughout the trip. I would recommend this program for sure! It not only helped improve my Spanish, but it allowed me to make lifelong friends, who I still talk to even after the trip, and broadened my perspectives on many topics. This program is completely worth it for the experiences you gain by participating!

I went into this program not now what to expect, but it was more than I could have ever asked for!! The flight there was the most nerve racking part and it went very smoothly. Once I arrived the Sol Abroad staff welcomed me. My housing and host family were more gracious and kind than I could have ever anticipated! The teaching staff was also very encouraging and enthusiastic about our Spanish speaking journey. Our excursions and daily activities enhanced the trip as well. We had a huge variety of activities that gave us a good sense of the Costa Rican culture. The food we ate also enriched our experience. I will forever remember the compassion and knowledge I was given from this experience. I highly recommend this program to increase cultural awareness and your Spanish skills.

Costa Rica is amazing and I got the best out of it using Sol Abroad. Last year I did the same program in Granada, Spain and loved it so much that I decided to do another. One thing I didn't like about Spain was the food since I don't eat meat very often but in my small town in Costa Rica the food was amazing and my host mom was so kind. It also felt like everyone was just so nice everyone says hi to you and I never felt unsafe while I was there. I stayed for the whole two months and I saw many come and go but that experience will last a lifetime. Over the years I learned that it is so hard to understand a culture without living there and this is exactly what I needed to understand and love Costa Rica. It was truly a great two months and I would totally do it again.

I had so much fun! I spent my birthday in Atenas, Costa Rica and the directors made sure I had a wonderful birthday. They even ordered me a vegan cake and made us reservations for the vegan restaurant in Atenas. Other than that, the host family was very welcoming and the directors made sure I was accommodated along every step of the way. I really enjoyed the excursions and all the activities we did. The classes were very helpful and the professors were very knowledgeable. If you have dietary restrictions I would highly recommend this trip. This was the adventure of a lifetime and I made so many great friends that I know will be lifelong friends. I never thought this trip would impact me as much as it did. I will definitely recommend this program to underclassmen at my school.

Before I came to Sol Abroad, I had done another study abroad program in Barcelona for a month. Though I did have a lot of fun in the beautiful city and am definitely glad I went, I was disappointed by the fact that there wasn't much immersion that the program offered. Everything was done in English, and many parts of the city were simply meant to cater to American tourists. No doubt about it those kinds of towns also exist in Costa Rica, but that's not where Sol Abroad took us. They had us stay in Atenas, a small town where very few foreigners visit. Because of that, it shows the true lives of Costa Rican people, away from all of the beach-themed huts and restaurants where most Americans choose to stay. It is because of this that Sol Abroad offers a true cultural immersion experience, with all of its pleasant and unpleasant aspects. The homestay truly shows what it is like to live in the town, and the encouragement to speak as much Spanish as possible made me nearly fluent in the language by the time I got back. Of course, the program still has all the proper safety precautions and makes sure that every student has what they need. It is well organized with its excursions, classes, and activities, and there was never a moment that I was bored with nothing to do. The program directors, Catalina and Judith, were also some of the sweetest people I ever met, and as well as being my guides and advisors, I can proudly say they were also my friends. All in all, if you truly want to experience what it is to live in the Costa Rica, then Sol Abroad is the program for you. Pura vida!

Going to Costa Rica with Sol Abroad was the highlight of my summer! Not only did I learn Spanish in a fun, unique way, but I made so many friends and memories as well. I'd just give this little bit of advice to future study abroad students: put yourself out there on the very first day. No one knows each other at that point and if you just start talking, you'll make friends you'll never lose! The two weeks I spent in Costa Rica with Sol Abroad brought me some of the best times of my life and I'm sure I'll never forget the friends and memories made there! Of course, I went on this trip mainly to further my knowledge of the Spanish language. Before I arrived, I was expecting classes each day to be similar to Spanish class in school, but it turned out to be completely different and way more fun! We did tons of group projects and interacted with the citizens of Atenas to develop speaking skills. Going to Costa Rica with Sol Abroad was the best!!

From the moment I arrived in Argentina, I felt welcomed and supported. My director, Kevin, met me at the airport with a big smile. As we waited for the rest of the group to arrive, everyone in the airport gathered around televisions to watch Argentina play in the world cup.The way the whole airport stopped to watch was surreal. When I arrived at my new home in Palermo, Muchy, my host mother, greeted me with a hug and gave me a delicious, much needed warm meal after my hours of travel. My director then showed me around Argentina with my fellow travelers who would soon be my great friends.

The program was a perfect balance between structured activity and free time to explore the wonderful city of Buenos Aires. Kevin showed us how to use the subway and how to get to our classes. Kevin traveled with us on all our excursions outside of the city center where it was harder to navigate, but I never felt like we were being patrolled. Kevin treated us with respect and became a friend. There were many fascinating day trips. We traveled to the countryside where we rode horses and even traveled to Uruguay. The classes we took during the week were exceptional and greatly helped me improve my Spanish. The class wasn't like school, it was interactive and structured around conversations with peers and the teacher. There is so much to explore in Argentina and Sol gave me the freedom to do that. I was allowed to eat out with my friends and explore the many markets. Regardless of where I went, from La Boca to the countryside, I felt perfectly safe.

During my three weeks in Argentina, I made amazing connections. I am still in contact with those in my group. It feels scary to travel alone, but everyone feels the same way at first. From the first day you will befriend others in your group and the Sol Abroad directors are always around for support. I feel that this trip also helped me mature and become more independent. For the first time, I found myself in charge of my free time and had the ability to make many decisions. It was a very liberating and maturing experience that I would not trade for anything.

Argentina is an amazing and unique place to travel. I learned so much about Argentine culture, grew accustomed to their unique Spanish, and fell in love with Argentine cuisine like empanadas and choripán. Sol Abroad is the perfect way to experience a new country while improving your Spanish.

I had an amazing experience studying in Argentina with Sol Abroad. The teachers at the school we attended during the week were eager to help me improve my Spanish-speaking skills. The cultural excursions we went on such as visiting museums, going to a gaucho ranch, and taking cooking and dancing classes were both fun and educational. I stayed with an incredibly kind host family, and my program leaders Beatriz Barragan and Kevin Williams were both very supportive, informative, and helpful. After I returned home from Argentina, my Spanish had greatly improved (I even developed an Argentinian accent while away), and I had gained a much greater knowledge of Argentinian culture. If you are considering study abroad programs in Argentina, definitely choose Sol Abroad - you will have an amazing experience!

My time spent in Buenos Aires, Argentina with Sol Abroad was genuinely one of the most amazing experiences in my life. I felt very safe in every situation, which allowed me to enjoy everyday without worries. Moreover, I was able to developer an amazing connection with my host mom, who provided the most comfortable stay I could’ve asked for. The school was never boring, and every class was very engaging and helpful. My program director, Kevin Williams, was one of the most fun-loving and responsible people I have ever met, and is truly one of the reasons my trip was so good. I would recommend that anybody interested in studying abroad chooses Sol Abroad, because not only is it less expensive than other programs, it’s more immersive and enriching.