Sol Education Abroad: Study Abroad in Heredia, Costa Rica

Costa Rica is an incredible country.
To visit Costa and not leave with a deeper appreciation of the earth is nearly impossible. Sol study abroad recognizes this and employees people who do their best to highlight Costa Rica's natural perfections. Everything about the Sol program is built to encourage an appreciation for foreign culture, an appreciation for the planet earth, and an appreciation for language. Sol is a family, and they do an impeccable job at making each and every student that comes into their program feel like a part of that family. We explored, discover, tasted, tested, wandered and truly soaked in everything that "the happiest country in the world" had to offer, with Sol. I came to Costa Rica with a full suitcase and left with a full heart. The cost is nothing compared to the personal gain. I attained priceless wisdom during my time in Costa Rica. Thank you, Sol, for showing me how to live "la pura vida" and creating an environment that encourages cultural appreciation.

Sol 2015 :)

Sol in Costa Rica is amazing. The staff is so attentive, accessible, and truly care. Classes, my tica familia, and all the clubs I can be involved in are my highlights. True Spanish immersion, and our directors are always encouraging us speak Spanish. Four or five excursions are included in our program cost-from zip lining through the rainforest to spending the weekend in the Caribbean, I have had one in a lifetime opportunities. I honestly don't have anything negative to say. By far Sol Costa Rica is the best I could have ever found.

I can honestly say that these few months here have been the most life-changing, eye-opening, most amazing time I've had in my life. Everyday is something new and fun. The culture here is unlike anything I've experienced before. Ever since my vacation to Costa Rica in 2012, I've had a special bond with this place and my decision here has been the best thing I've ever done. Sol has been there for me whether it be the stomach flu, a cold, and even stitches, taking care of me as if they were my parents. I feel so at home and at peace here and home-sickness is close to none. I consider my casa tico my home and all my SolMates family. I could not of asked for better counselors, teachers, or friends. Janiva and Jessenia are beyond incredible at what they do and always want the best for us. My spanish has improved tremendously thanks to the classes, and Janiva always saying "en español?". :)

Every morning I wake up and have breakfast at 7. It is usually fresh fruit, some type of pancake or empanada, and hot chocolate. Then I walk 10 minutes to class, and on the way I am joined by many of my SOLmates. Most of our program lives in the same neighborhood. We have Spanish class from 8 to 11, and are separated by level. I can honestly say I enjoy these classes. After class we go home for lunch at about noon. My afternoon activities vary by day. They include: zumba, volunteering with kindergarteners at a nearby school, conversation club with locals, and volunteering at a nursing home, and hip hop class. On Tuesdays I have theater class with locals. We get to choose a class with locals to take and they really help us improve our Spanish. On Wednesdays Sol provides us with cultural activities. They have included: a rescue ranch, cooking class, traditional dance class, coffee tour, and more. Dinner is at 6. My host mom is an excellent chef. I have tried so many new foods and loved them! I am always excited for mealtimes. We have many weekend excursions with SOL that are included. On our free weekends, we like to plan our own excursions. With SOL, we have been to Punta Mona (a beautiful sustainable living farm on the beach), La Fortuna (waterfall, hot springs, volcano, zipline), and soon we are going to Nicaragua. For excursions that we planned ourselves, we went to Manuel Antonio, Barva volcano, and a small group even climbed Chirripo. When we stay in Heredia for the weekend, we go out dancing, have relaxing nights in, or spend the day in Heredia Centro or San Jose. One of my favorite parts of this program is that our directors encourage us to speak Spanish. There is a lot of time that we can easily speak English- weekends, between classes, etc- but Janiva and Jessenia urge us to keep speaking Spanish. It has definitely gotten easier with time. I love the homestay because we get to feel like part of the family while we're here. The meals are incredible and I love having conversations with my host mom. She helps with grammar and words that I don't know. It is a warm and homey environment that I will miss tremendously when I leave. Studying abroad is the second best decision I've ever made. Choosing SOL is the first.

Coming to CR with Sol has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. They care so much about our well being, health, and are always helping us to do our best. Between the cultural activities we have every week, conversation club, and excursions, they are showing us everything Costa Rica has to offer and more. I've already learned so much, and I can't wait to continue on with this once in a life time experience, that I have SOL to thank for!!!

I didn't fall in love with a boy or a girl. I fell in love with Costa Rica, and it was all thanks to Sol. When I landed in Costa Rica, I was beyond nervous, but the moment I met Janiva, my program director, and the other students, and when I stepped outside and was greeted by tico taxis and sunshine, I knew I my life was about to change. And it did.

The host family that Sol matched me with was amazing. My tica mom cooked the best meals, always chatted with me when I was home, and treated me as her own daughter. My host siblings were so much fun and often invited me to do things with them and their friends, or brought me to try new restaurants or see different areas of Heredia. More than two years later, we still keep in touch and visiting them is always a highlight of my trip when I go back.

I learned a lot from my spanish classes and electives at the Universidad Latina. I met local students from our exchanges with English classes, and my professors were incredibly friendly and understanding. In addition to classes, Sol took us on cultural excursions where we learned how to cook tica food, danced salsa with locals, saw different parts of the country, and met all sorts of interesting people.

The very best part of my experience with Sol (besides walking away with an incredibly improved sense of the Spanish language and the Costa Rican way of life) was the relationships that I built. I fell in love with Costa Rica, but that never would have happened if I hadn't been surrounded by such wonderful people. From the people running the program, to the professors, to the other students, and the host families... everyone was so supportive and loving. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Mi tiempo aquí en Costa Rica con Sol ha estado muchísimo divertido. He aprendido tanto sobre la cultura y la lengua. No podría pedir por más. Las excursiones son preciosas y cuando no hay algo planeado, Sol recomienda algunas cosas para hacer o lugares para visitar. Estudiando español aquí con Sol es una de las mejores decisiones de mi vida.

Sol Education Abroad is a wonderful company! I really enjoyed my directions in Costa rica. They were very knowledgeable about the area and what types of things there were to do. They were also very helpful with any questions I had.

Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful countries ever! I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves nature and relaxing.

I learned a lot in my course. My grammar improved, and I learn a lot about the culture. My professors were really interesting, and they enjoy was they do.

We had tons of opportunities to interact with the locals. W played soccer with ticos, and we played games with kids. We danced with some senior citizens, and I helped plant a fruit tree on campus.

My most memorable experience was finally seeing a sea turtle. My friends and I planned a trip to the northern part of Limon (the Caribbean side of Costa Rica). During July, the turtles nest on the beaches. I never knew how big sea turtles were, but now I have had the ability to meet one up close and personal. It was a ton of fun!

Sol is perfect for anyone who is looking to explore a Spanish-speaking country as well as make new friends along the way. I highly recommend it!