Studying Abroad in Costa Rica has been life changing. Directors( Rodrigo, Jessenia, Janiva) Professors, and the University were amazing. The best part though was staying with host families. This is the best way to learn their culture and actually be apart of it. Costa Rica is a wonderful place full of wonderful people willing to teach you Spanish. I stayed here for 12 weeks and took 4 Spanish classes. In these classes we had debates, presentations, and we were able to practice Spanish talking about everyday things. Our excursions were Poas Volcano, Manuel Antonio, Arenal and many other spectacular places. Since I stayed here for 12 weeks I was able to meet local students. They were awesome and took their time to showed us around Costa Rica. Overall I fell in love with this program in Costa Rica and I definitely recommend it to anyone taking Spanish to go to Costa Rica and learn what is to be living in Pura Vida!
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!
Though I was only abroad for a month, the quality of my education and experience in Granada cannot be quantified in just this review. The staff based in the United States are punctual and professional, and the on site director was brilliant and helpful with any concerns that I had. I am fluent with the Spanish language, but their emphasis on the culture and customs of a new locale opened my eyes to the greater possibilities a college education can provide and is something I hope more students take advantage of. Whether you are a student or parent reading this, I can attest wholeheartedly that Sol is the best program for the nations of Costa Rica, Argentina, and Spain. You will not be disappointed.
Be ready for the best time of your life! I was nervous coming to Costa Rica because I didn't know much Spanish, but I would trade anything to be able to experience this wonderful program again. Everybody from the host families, to friends, teachers, and directors are there to make sure you have a great time; and you do. I will absolutely miss everyone I met during my trip. Three weeks fly by; do more if you can!
I would advise everyone to do their best to fully immerse themselves in the language and culture of Costa Rica, especially if they are only here for 3 weeks. 3 weeks goes by before you know it and since you're around gringos all the time, it's easy to forget about using your Spanish. Practice is definitely the best way to learn. Speak with your host family as much as you can, even if you're only a beginner. They are one of your best resources in Costa Rica.
The greatest benefit of my experience is that I really think I've learned a lot in my class. It was very difficult and at the beginning I felt completely overwhelmed, but after only 3 short weeks, I feel like I understand certain verb tenses on a level I never thought possible and on a level that I may not have reached in class in the U.S.
Future students need to know how helpful the directors are! I am continually amazed by their energy and positivity! They meet new groups every 3 weeks, but they learned all the students' names and make an effort to talk to everyone. They are great to have on the excursions and hang out with us on the trips. Rodrigo and Jessenia are always willing to help you out if you need it, which is great. Again, I can't even explain how helpful everyone was when I was changing my travel plans last minute
Going to Costa Rica was the time of my life. I stayed for twelve weeks and was able to earn credit for four upper level Spanish classes needed for my major. The majority of my teachers were wonderful. They had us talk about our experiences in Costa Rica, debate about political issues, and give oral presentations, all in Spanish. In one of my classes, the students had problems with the way the teacher taught, but our on site director listened to our feedback and was very helpful in dealing with the situation.
One of my favorite parts of the program is that students are assigned to live with a Costa Rican family. My host mom and dad were absolutely wonderful and incorporated my roommate and I into part of their family. For students wanting to practice their Spanish, the host family experience is a great way to do so. Although sometimes store workers and teachers would lose their patience with me, my host family was always willing to help me out with learning new words and speaking slowly.
I really enjoyed the cultural activities and excursions with Sol as well. I loved attending the cooking class, dance class, and visiting the Toucan Rescue Ranch. The excursions were in beautiful parts of Costa Rica, the Pacific Ocean, Poas Volcano, and La Fortuna. As well as traveling to these places, I also really enjoyed ziplining and white water rafting. After the first three weeks, us students were given the freedom to go anywhere on weekends, and I loved planning my own trips with friends and figuring out the Costa Rican bus system and going to other beautiful places around the country.
I would recommend this program to anyone who needs Spanish as part of their college curriculum. This program is a great way to speak Spanish, meet lifelong friends, and see the beauty of Costa Rica.
