Sol Abroad Teacher-Led Program Granada, Spain

I have worked with Sol Abroad for six teacher-led trips: four to Granada, Spain, one to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and one to Costa Rica. I just returned from a three-week trip to Granada and will lead my 7th Sol Abroad trip back to Buenos Aires next summer. Clearly, I think extremely highly of Sol! I have not considered working with anyone else.

Sol Abroad is dedicated to encouraging kids to step out of their comfort zones on many levels and broaden their understanding of the world. On my first trip with Sol, we went to Granada, Spain. Brent Hunter, one of the owners was our personal on-site director and guide. Brent embodies everything Sol Abroad stands for. He is passionate about history, language, and culture. He loves the great outdoors and the adventure it brings. On day one in Granada, Brent arrived on his skate board to our meeting point in the Plaza del Carmen. He skated in and did a jump and a twist and landed it perfectly. The kids were in awe of him! He knew how to capture their attention and proceeded to share all he knew about Granada, its people, culture and history. Brent encouraged my students to push themselves physically, mentally and intellectually. His passion for studying abroad was contagious. All of my trips since have had the same impact on my students.

Sol Abroad makes sure everything goes according to plan down to the very last detail. The people who work with Sol have always been incredibly professional and also kind and compassionate. I have had several students with special dietary needs ranging from vegetarians to diagnosed celiacs (one with severe intolerance). Sol took everything seriously and made sure all needs were met. The host families I have worked with over the years with Sol have been real families for my students. The language teachers are experienced and make classes fun, practical, and very applicable to the students' day-to-day lives in Granada. The excursions are all excellent. Sol is open to adding new programs. For example, this year I asked if we could add an excursion to Los Cahorros of Monachil where we could hike and see the sights from hanging bridges. I asked and they delivered.

My students all come away from the trip having learned something new: new words, new verb tenses, new facts, but most importantly, they always learn something about themselves. Rarely do I have students who are eager to return home. Many wish they could stay in Granada for longer and many return to Spain with Sol Abroad for a semester or a year in college.

Sol Abroad is an excellent company and I have been so lucky to work with them all these years. I give them my most wholehearted recommendation for anyone wishing to design a teacher-lead high school program.