Program Reviews

I had so much fun with Sol Abroad. The housing was wonderful—my host mother was so sweet and lovely and really made me feel comfortable. She cooked so much food, and it was fantastic! Everything is so cheap in Oaxaca as well so I was able to buy so much good food for not much money. I in particular enjoyed learning about the art scene in Oaxaca: we visited the house of a street artist to learn about the political art in Oaxaca, which was fascinating. The artist and his wife also helped us make really cool stencil art on t-shirtst. I also was able to visit another artist's studio with two friends, and the woman who ran it was very accomadating and let us just hang out and make prints with all the artists there. Oaxaca is a beautiful city, and I cannot wait to visit again.

My experience with Sol Abroad was unlike anything I've ever done. I spent 4 weeks in Oaxaca, Mexico with a host family, doing activities and taking classes every day. Although I did not have an english-speaking roommate from the same program, or any host siblings remotely close to my age, (all the others in my program did have an english-speaking roommate) I still managed to have a good time with my host family, and they were very welcoming and accommodating. The food was absolutely amazing. I don't think I was ever served anything I didn't like. The classes very intensive, 2 2-hour classes every week-day morning, which at times was a little much, but it definitely paid off in improving my spanish. The cultural activities were either a hit or miss for me. The cooking class was a lot of fun, as were the trips to neighboring small villages for often artesanal activities. However, some of the activities, such as the yoga class and the movie night, seemed to be not very connected to Mexican culture and just there to fill up space on the calendar. The curfew was 11:00 for everyone in the high school program, which I felt limited freedom and possibilities for experiencing the nightlife of Oaxaca, especially as many festivals and parades started around that time. However, me and my group still managed to have a great time exploring Oaxaca and doing all kinds of different activities in the city. We were definitely given plenty of freedom on days when there weren't cultural activities scheduled. The excursions were the best part of Sol Abroad for me. After a magnificent 7-hour trek through the mountains, we arrived in the beach of Hualtulco, which was beautiful. We surfed, paddleboarded, snorkeled, and went three different beaches during the weekend that we stayed there. Hierve El Agua was another fun excursion where we hiked to a cold spring in the mountains, enjoying the views and the weather. As awesome as these excursions were, I could've used at least one more, such as a trip to Sierra Norte, which was cut out of the schedule for some reason. Anyhow, it was a great program, I feel like I'm now the best at spanish in my class at my high school, I learned a lot about Oaxacan culture and had great times exploring the city with my friends. I will value this experience for the rest of my life.

Sol Abroad is a program that changed my life, a study abroad program that I will never forget and always be able to thank for an introduction into a different lifestyle, an incredible new culture and another language. My time in Mexico taught me not only how to try new things and accept new ideas, but also how to experience everything to its fullest potential and truly treasure every moment. Not one negative thought passed my mind the entirety of my trip. I learned the importance of bridging cultural divides and I was able to experience the amazing satisfaction of having a conversation in a language foreign to my own. The people that I met introduced me to a whole new side of life and they brought out the best version of myself. I do not have words to explain the overwhelming generosity and hospitality of my host family. I feel like the luckiest person in the world to be able to say that I got to have this experience.

We sent out daughter, who was about to become a senior in high schoo,l to Argentina on this program with much hesitation. We were extremely happy with the program on many levels. She never felt unsafe, even when touring the city. She met new friends, whom she stays in contact with still and is even travelling across country to visit for her birthday. Her host mom was amazing and made her feel at home the entire time. She has a special place in her heart and stays in contact with her as well. This being her first study abroad program inspired her to want to do it every year between her school years. All in all, I would highly recommend the program to anyone.

I sent my son to Costa Rica for 2 weeks this past summer. The Sol Abroad Program exceeded my expectations and I am so appreciative to the program directors for giving him such a uniquely positive experience. It's an uneasy feeling sending one's kid off to a faraway place for the first time ever without a parent, but I felt so happy everyday because I received an email immediately when my son arrived safely and then Orlando Murrillo posted pictures on Facebook all the time- so I could see my kid at cooking class one day, dance class the next, and hiking another day, all the friends he was with; In this way, it was a vicariously-lived adventure for the parents, too! My son came back happy and healthy, with many new friends, improved Spanish, lifelong memories of his charming host family and of Costa Rica's beauty. I thought that such a program would be prohibitively expensive and available only to the very well-off. But to my pleasant surprise, the Sol Abroad Program was actually affordable and very high quality-- the kids got it ALL (housing, meals, Spanish class, cultural activities, outings including white-water rafting and ziplining, historical tours); it was an amazing deal. As a parent, I would recommend Sol Abroad, Costa Rica to anyone wanting to send their kid to study (and play) abroad! It was the perfect "maiden voyage" for a young teen who hopefully has many globetrotting passport stamps in his future. Five Stars, and a cherry on top.

The second to last day when we went to the waterfall was amazing. It was a really great way to end the trip. I would definitely recommend going back there, because seeing the old mines and tunnels was amazing!

My son, a 17 year old from South Carolina, could not stop talking about how much fun he had and how much he loved this trip. He loved the other students, his host family, the language instructors and the people of Costa Rica. If he could have he would have extended his trip.

The best part, as a parent, was that he came back energized about language and wants to pursue a minor in Spanish. He even said the course instruction each day was reaaly fun and not boring. Coming from any boy of 17, that says a lot!

I got to the mother day party. I was exposed to spanish music and become influencd to listen to the same kind of music at home. I loved spending time with my parents at the parts. I just hoped that I could have gone to more similar to this in Costa Rica.

Even though Atenas is small, it has alot to offer. When I first arrived here I never thought that I would have any fun in this small city, but I was really suprised. There is a ton of little surprises within the city. One thing to for sure do when in the city is to talk to the locals. they love to talk to you and it really helps with your spanish practice. All the people are so nice, except when they are behind a wheel. If the car is comming just let it go! A few resturants to go to are La Finca and Gellys. There are some of the best and super cheap. Another thing to also do is walk around the city. There are tons of small cute shops to explore and the little market is really cute and fun to walk around. Atenas is very small, but you can have a lot of fun when your here! Also, dont forget to do to the cooperativa. Its one of the nicer super markets and is a great place to get small gifts like local coffee and snacks to bring home!

Sol abroad is a very good program. They pick the perfect location, you truly feel like a part of the town. With,the location they choose you are forced to speak spanish 24/7. I thoughht sol abroad was a great program.