A Great Option in Retirement

When I retired from York University, I found the Academy for Lifelong Learning Toronto very useful in keeping fit intellectually and socially. I made new friends, developed new interests and the Academy has contributed immensely to my sense of wellbeing. Highly recommended.

The Academy for Lifelong Learning opened many doors for me: understanding architecture and creative writing, making new friends, and an opportunity to serve as a Board member. Being with interested and interesting people gives me hope in the strange times we are living in.

Each year, I look forward to signing up for challenging workshops that honour my intellectual curiosity. Truly, learning gets better with age.

I joined the Academy for Lifelong Learning after I retired based on the recommendations of two friends who were members and who told me that they really enjoyed it finding the networking excellent. I also liked the idea of peer-to-peer learning since it is so much more engaging than listening to “talking heads” as compared to other groups.

I was attracted, as well, to getting involved in committee work as that often gets you to know other members much more closely so you can develop stronger friendships. Over the last twelve years, I have found the rewards of membership tremendous and have made many good friends as well as learning a great deal about many topics. I’m very glad I joined.

Peer learning is at the heart of the Academy’s many functions. When one prepares a 20-minute talk about a chosen topic it is amazing how well the content becomes built into one’s own store of understanding and knowledge. Sharing this effort with a group of other people in the workshop is sometimes a challenge, but it has strong positive feedback. It builds confidence, camaraderie and a sense of accomplishment.

A significant part of peer learning is discussion among the participants. Subtly, one gets to know more about the people involved and this can lead to the development of understanding and friendships. The meaningful relationships that are built into the active involvement of being an academy member are life-affirming in so many ways.

I have been a member of the Academy for many years, have held diverse roles in the workings of this entirely volunteer-run organization and I can joyfully tell you that it is a mainstay in my life.

I joined the Academy in 2013 after retiring from IT. I heard about it through several friends from a Camera Club in Toronto who were members. I have enjoyed participating in a number of workshops on topics such as Films, Extraordinary Lives, Opinions, Toronto Neighbourhoods, Travel and of course: Photography.

I have found that I really enjoy researching a specific topic to make a presentation. So many books, videos, websites available, it’s not difficult; other than summarizing the topic and focusing on specific aspects…but lots of fun.

In addition to enjoying the presentations and discussions of workshops I have coordinated Academy Walks to get the required exercise and socialize with members (and guests). I have also served on several committees and the board, including being president a few years ago. A good way to continue my career as a manager! Being involved is a great way to spend your retirement time and to get to know people better and make new friends, plus keep your brain active.

My story… I retired at 50 and was looking for my next stage of development. I returned to university to do a short postgrad certificate to understand globalization.

When I met someone at a party who was reading the same book as I was by Jennifer Welsh, he introduced me to the Academy. My first course was on the European Union, and, to my astonishment, there was someone in my class who had worked on the Marshall Plan! But the Academy is like that. I was bowled over by the interesting people I met who had had diverse and fascinating life experiences. I also love that many of the members are from quite different professional backgrounds from mine.

After 20 years of Academy experiences, taking a myriad of workshops (mainly arts, politics and history), working on committees, being on the Board and making all sorts of interesting friends, I can honestly say that my Academy experience is one of the most meaningful parts of my retired life. And, by-the-way, I came to understand globalization in a much more comprehensive manner through my workshops at the Academy than post grad work!

Academy workshops are vital to my social calendar and my ongoing education. Decades of operating within the bounds of a professional career – as joyful as it was – narrowed my thinking. There is much to learn beyond work.

The Academy is peer-led, so I get step up to the challenges of researching a subject, assembling my thoughts and presenting – ever daunting but inevitably rewarding. (If you want to learn teach.) I get to share my enthusiasm for a subject and be inspired by the enthusiasms of others. Discussions are always stimulating, sometimes ardent, often poignant, and always – even when heated – civil. We listen; we think; we talk. We encourage each other. We appreciate the efforts of presenters. We hear others’ perspectives. We laugh. We learn.

The Academy is an invaluable community. In a world of increasing disinformation and disruption, it is a place for sharing our learning, deepening our understanding, and broadening our knowledge. It is a fellowship for wide-awake, lifelong learning