A couple of years ago I visited my sister in Jacksonville, Florida as part of my annual snowbird trip to find some sun and sand. When I arrived she told me that she and her husband would be busy one night while I was there. They were taking a course called “The 1960s and Vietnam” at the University of North Florida. She went on to explain that it’s a regular undergraduate class at the college. The university has a program that allows Florida residents, age 60 and above, to audit courses with tuition waived.
I asked to come along. So one weeknight in February we joined 20 or so undergraduates, along with half a dozen retirees, to listen to a lecture and participate in a class discussion about the Kennedys, the Johnsons and the Vietnam War. The 20-year-old students got first-hand reports about the 1960s from people who lived through the events. Two of the retirees in the class were Vietnam veterans who related personal observations about the conflict.
[Read: 6 Tips for Going Back to School in Retirement.]
There are many lifelong learning opportunities available to retirees for free or at a low cost. And there’s a bonus as well: You not only learn something, but you also have the chance to socialize with other people who have similar interests. Here are four ways to further your education in retirement:
Traditional colleges. Universities around the country, especially community colleges, often offer adult education opportunities. While some colleges limit retiree participation to auditing the class, others offer degree programs and charge a reduced tuition or even waive tuition for people over a certain age. My wife took an art course and I took a photography class and a history course about the Civil War at the Center for Learning in Retirement at Delaware Valley University. Community colleges often offer a number of classes for seniors through an adult education division.
[See: 12 Great Things About Retirement.]
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. The Bernard Osher Foundation supports over a hundred lifelong learning programs at a roster of colleges and universities, from Maine to Hawaii to Alaska. The courses are designed for people over 50 who are “interested in learning for the joy of learning.” For example, the OLLI program at San Diego State University offers more than two dozen classes, all without homework, tests or grades, and for a nominal fee. They cover a range of subjects in art, music, history, film and finance. The courses are taught by experts in their field, many of them current or former professors. And, like most universities, SDSU makes an effort to accommodate people with disabilities.
The Oasis Institute. This organization, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, was founded in 1982 to promote “healthy aging through lifelong learning, active lifestyles and volunteer engagement.” Its network covers some 40 U.S. cities, from Syracuse, New York to San Antonio to Los Angeles. Oasis offers traditional classes in art, history and current events, but also sponsors more practical programs involving fitness, technology and social media. The Oasis approach relies less on professionals and more on volunteers. So if you have some expertise and want to teach a course, rather than take a course, you can explore possibilities through their direct programs. You may also be able to find teaching opportunities through local organizations such as libraries and senior centers.
[See: 10 Classic (and Unique) Retirement Gift Ideas.]
Other local resources. Not all learning takes place in schools. Your local library is likely to offer book discussion groups, art lectures and science and technology sessions. Many communities have senior centers that sponsor bridge clubs, arts and crafts programs and fitness classes. And many regional high schools have adult education divisions that offer language courses, gardening classes, dance lessons and yoga sessions, often with reduced rates for seniors. There may also be more esoteric topics such as candle making or beekeeping. When it comes to adult education, there are no required courses or standardized tests, just your own interests.
Tom Sightings is the author of “You Only Retire Once” and blogs at Sightings at 60.
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4 Ways to Further Your Education in Retirement originally appeared on usnews.com
