I highly recommend you study abroad with SOL Education. I feel like the program is awesome. A semester for coming to Spain I had to make a decision on what program I want to use to do study abroad. I had many options but SOL stuck out to me. When I first called SOL, they answered very nice and sounded willing to help. After a few calls to them they knew me by name and would answer every question I had. At one point I did not know which term I wanted to do, so they would send me emails of what they thought would be best for me. They would send me what the courses would be and how they could be transfered back to my school. That made me realize that I wanted to go with them. From when I first called them and from when I finally applied, the cost for going for the time period I wanted had went up. They had told me since I talked to them before the price was changed they were going to leave it at the price that I first saw since I called before. I probally called the SOL office over 50 times, everytime I called they were so nice and had answers. I did not know what I was getting myself into as in who I was going to live with or anything, luckily Stephanie, who works with SOL, talked to about my options and she really helped me decide where to live. I stayed with a host family, really glad I did. The family was awesome, the host mom always asked how I was doing how my trips went and etc. The directors that you`ll have when you get to Spain are very awesome, they will help you with anything you need, their office is close to the school and they are just an email away. If you pick this program you are not going to regret it.
Sol Education Abroad
Sol Education Abroad provides University Study Abroad & Spanish Immersion programs in Argentina, Costa Rica, Mexico & Spain! Our company mission is very simple: to treat you the same way we wanted to be treated when we studied abroad. Join us!
SOL Education Abroad is an amazing program. I studied abroad in Granada, Spain through SOL and loved it! The price looks fairly steep when you first look at it, but when you read more that includes your homestay, food, cleaning, all of the excursions you go on, and the courses you choose to take over at the Centro de Lenguas Modernas part of the University of Granada (Córdoba, Sevilla, the Alhambra, etc). I was fairly apprehensive about the cost at first, but it is totally worth it.
I have loved every minute over here! Of course you take classes and get homework, but your professors understand that you are here to travel as well as study the language. My time here has felt more like a vacation than an actual academic semester.
Another thing I would like to add is use Spanish as much as possible. That it the only way you get to learn the language on a deeper level. Yes, you learn it in the classroom and with your host family, but go out, get to know the locals, go to intercambios. Get to know the city you will be living in for the next 3-5 months; you won't regret it.
I participated in the Costa Rica Summer V session this past summer. I literally had the best time of my life! I thought I was going to be home-sick, but that was not the case. I felt so at-home and everyone was so friendly.
Instead of getting frustrated at my ignorance, the locals, and the program participants were literally more than willing to teach me Spanish.
I got to visit the Pacific Ocean for the first time, see a volcano, and hang out with monkeys all in a few days span. There was always an excursion or something to do in my time. 10 out 10!
