What's Included

Onsite Directors & Staff

Sol Abroad recognizes the importance of knowledgeable, friendly, and well trained onsite staff. Our onsite directors and staff are available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week to assist you with any needs. Our goal is to ensure you are as comfortable as possible while abroad.

College Credit

College credit is included or available on many of the Sol Abroad programs.

Homestay

Each of our programs involves homestay with a local host family. Living and sharing your experience abroad with a host family is one of the important highlights of studying overseas. In fact, this can be the most enriching and lasting aspect of studying in a foreign country. Many students often maintain relationships with their host families well beyond the conclusion of the program. Our host families are an important part of our team. They are carefully selected and interviewed, and have extensive prior experience housing students. (Note: Academic Year programs do not include housing between semesters, but can be included for an additional cost).

Meals

Three meals a day are provided and these are a great way to spend time with your family and experience the local cuisine. We can accommodate any dietary requirement, such as kosher, vegan, and vegetarian. While traveling on weekend excursions, your host family will prepare you a snack or lunch. Your onsite director will inform you which meals will be included during your excursions.

Volunteer & Community Service Opportunities

We offer several unique volunteer opportunities at each site, such as assisting at nutrition centers, teaching English, or any other local service-oriented program. Community service is one of the best ways to give back to the community. Upon completion of our programs, Sol Abroad will give you a Volunteer Certificate Letter documenting your community service hours.

Excursions

Travel outings are fundamental and included in all programs. We carefully choose weekend excursions that allow you to discover more about the country in which you are studying. We select trips based on cultural and educational importance or sites of natural beauty. All entrance and transportation fees are always included.

Cultural Activities

Cultural activities are an integral part of the Sol Abroad experience, providing you further exposure to the language and cultural facets of the country. Several cultural activities are planned each week; examples include cooking and dance classes, city tours, hiking and horseback rides, and much more!

International Medical Insurance

Full medical insurance is included in your program fee.

Laundry

Laundry is included once a week in the Spain and Costa Rica programs. For Mexico and Argentina it is not common for host families to include laundry and they will indicate the nearest laundromat and provide instructions.

Tuition & Books

Tuition, books and fees are included for the Spanish classes taken abroad. Each Sol Abroad program includes 3 to 4 hours of Spanish class per weekday.

Program Orientation

When you arrive at your study abroad destination, our onsite staff will provide you with a welcome orientation. This will cover important topics such as health, safety, academics, host families, and cultural awareness, and end with a tour of your host city. We will help you exchange money either at the bank or an ATM.

Pre-departure Advising

All of us at Sol Abroad are always available to answer your questions throughout the pre-departure process. You will receive a country handbook upon acceptance and again before to departure to prepare you for your study abroad adventure. All members of our staff are bilingual and can provide information based on their own experiences abroad.

Cell Phone Rental (optional)

We provide the option to rent a cell phone with a local phone number and cell phone plan for the country you plan to study abroad in. For Mexico, Costa Rica and Argentina Sol Abroad covers the rental fee and you just pay for any air time that  you use. For Spain, you pay a refundable 100 euro deposit to use the phone.

Airport Transfers

Ground transportation to and from your program city is included on the established travel dates.

Reception & Farewell Activity

We welcome you to your host city with a reception activity to meet the other participants and your directors. And, of course, a farewell activity is provided as a chance to say goodbye to friends and celebrate your new experience.

Language Exchange

Interaction with locals is an important aspect of our language program. We strive to create cultural and language exchange opportunities at each of our sites.

Tutoring

To provide the best academic assistance possible to our students, onsite tutoring is available. We want to ensure that you maximize your academic experience while abroad.

Transcript or Certificate

You will receive a university transcript or Spanish school certificate upon the completion of your program. Sol Abroad maintains an original document in our offices in the event that you need a copy in the future.

Financial Aid & Scholarship

We accept any financial aid or scholarships and will assist you with any necessary paperwork. For more information on the process and a complete list of scholarship opportunities, please visit our SCHOLARHIPS page.

Language Assessment Exam

Your language level is evaluated upon arrival at all program locations. We measure your ability by a written placement exam and/or an oral exam with local professors. The language assessment is intended to ensure you get the best Spanish training possible while attending our program. For some sites, a written placement exam may be given prior to your departure overseas.

Student Visas

Summer programs do not require visas. For semester programs, we will assist you in obtaining a student visa.

What's NOT Included

Flight

Since our students come from all over the country, the flight is not included. The program begins the moment you fly into your destination, where your onsite director will be waiting for you at the airport.

Personal Spending Money

Personal items such gifts, activities outside the program, bus fares, taxi rides and other miscellaneous items.

Entry or Exit Fees

We do not include the $29 airport exit tax in Costa Rica nor the $160 reciprocity fee in Argentina.