There's one in Asheville at UNCA but unfortunately it's enough of a drive to be inconvenient for me. I do know people who love it and would do do myself if closer.

There is a very active program here. I have several friends who are very involved. I haven’t personally taken any classes but they offer many. It’s a little far from our home and since retiring I just haven’t had the time to look into it yet.

Have about 6 retired teacher friends who love it.

My in-laws used to really enjoy this program and attended some really interesting courses about topics they would not have otherwise learned. There were great opportunities, and they met a lot of people, as well.

We have it here. I remember reading about it when I first retired but decided not something I wanted to participate in at the time.

Yes, I look at the classes every semester but nothing has worked out yet. DH took a finance/tax class and enjoyed it. The classes were more convenient where we used to live. Where we are now they are farther away and at some locations parking is a problem. If you are interested you have to sign up quickly, classes fill up fast.

I stream and sit in free at many open lectures or seminars at our near by medical school. I am not yet old enough to partake in the olli program, but when I am I will do so!

We have Lifelong Learning Institute here at a local university. This is my 3rd semester doing it. It's wonderful. The classes are strictly for seniors and are all so varied each time. I do have to say that some classes (and instructors) are better than others, and some are not so terrific. Last semester, while I enjoyed it, I felt the offerings were pretty lackluster and I didn't go as faithfully. This semester, (we are about 1/2 way into it) is really a good one. I do it strictly for enjoyment and can't say I retain too much!

It's also really nice that the campus is lovely. There is a nice cafeteria and library and even walking paths. They are very accomodating of the seniors. ( I am 66 and one of the younger ones).

It's definitely worth trying out. For the first time you try it, I believe it is $75 to take 3 courses. After that, it is $175 per semester. They do have a yearly offering which includes summer classes as well.

I have a friend in New Hampshire who is very involved locally with their institute, she has worked on a steering type committee for years. They have interesting classes that appeal to a variety of people. We do not have a local institute where I live although there are at least two in my state. However, at age 62 any person can audit classes for free at any state university or college. We haven’t done it yet.

In 2009 I went to the Oxford campus in the U.K. for a few months to take classes in their continuing education college (Rewley) and have taken a couple of online classes as well since. The students are an amazing group of people from all over the world..

It's an excellent program! I used to teach some classes with our OLLI and had so much fun. The newest brochure just came in the mail but I haven't gone through it yet. I'd like my recently retired husband and I to take something together.

Ours aren't taught by UAH educators, generally, but by experts in the subject matter. HERE are the recent OLLI offerings in my area.

I went to look at a really great community in Austin and learned about it from two couples gathered for wine on their porch. They had just finished a course on climate change, and they were so enthusiastic. I think it's $300/year to take courses all year (in six week sessions; two week sessions in summer -something like that). UT Austin will also let seniors take up to 6 credit hours at a time for free, but I'm not 65 yet. I'll have to look into auditing a class for free there and see if the age might be a bit lower.

I've heard of senior learning but not this one! Turns out there's one only about 25 minutes away, I think I'll look into it!

Thanks for posting that, rhizo. My friend is teaching a wine appreciation class periodically thru OLLI. I didn’t see it on that list but I might have missed it since it’s a one-night class. Another friend helped put it together and I am involved with helping to pre-taste and select the wines and pairings for the class. It’s been very well-attended.

We have the OLLI program at the University close to me. A friend’s mom was very active in it for a number of years. It costs $150 per semester, includes parking, the parking cost is close to that price on it’s own. Glanced at the catalog and they offer some interesting courses, although no wine tasting this semester. Once I retire I will likely join up.

Thanks for posting that, rhizo. My friend is teaching a wine appreciation class periodically thru OLLI. I didn’t see it on that list but I might have missed it since it’s a one-night class.