For adult learners, OLLI is the program to join

“When we went on the OLLI program’s first trip to Thailand, we explored parts of the country most tourists never get to see,” exclaims Fields Corner resident Diane McCormack, who chairs the Board of Directors of the UMass-based Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), part of a nationwide network of continuing education programs for adult learners.

The UMass OLLI Director, Dr. Wichian Rojanawon, a native Thai, continues to coordinate and co-lead annual trips that go beyond the usual elephant rides and temple visits to cater to individual interests.
McCormack remembers, “Talk about ‘off the beaten path’ ”! Wichian arranged for us to visit a hospital, a senior center, even a shelter for children who had been rescued from sexual slavery, a special concern of mine.”  She notes that most Dorchester seniors don’t have to go to the other side of the globe to benefit from OLLI; all they have to do is take the shuttle to Columbia Point. Fall classes start in a few weeks.

The OLLI learning environment enriches the intellectual, social, and cultural lives of those 50 or older who share a love of lifelong learning. No academic or other credentials are required. There are no tests, no papers, and no degrees. Daytime classes meet once a week for up to 2 hours and last anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks.

This semester offerings range from self-improvement courses like introductions to computers and digital cameras to more specialized classes like “Non-Jewish Victims of the Third Reich” and “Spoiled Eden: The Dystopian Novels of William Golding and Aldous Huxley.”

In addition, each semester there are about 40 one-shot lunchtime lectures known as Brown Bag presentations covering travel, health, music, and gardening.

Dorchester, which ranks second only to Quincy as the neighborhood with the most OLLI attendees, has its fair share of course “facilitators.” Dot residents teach two popular language courses: Judy Planchon’s Monday morning “Intermediate French Conversation through Cinema” and Irene L. Roman’s Wednesday afternoon “Introduction to Italian and Italy.”

And James Buckley, also on the OLLI Board of Directors, will present both a Thursday afternoon course on “Good vs. Evil in Opera” and a Brown Bag on the “La Boheme,” in conjunction with an October 19-21 OLLI overnight to New York to see the Metropolitan production. Finally, this reporter offers on alternate Wednesday afternoon “Shakespeare’s Henry V” and “The History of Mystery” (discussion of detective/crime books, TV series and movies).

 In addition to classes at UMass and satellite sites, OLLI members enjoy field trips to Nantucket, Maine, and Connecticut, excursions to Boston area plays and operas, and a variety of social events and cruises.
For those who like the idea of traveling abroad with a group with kindred spirits, OLLI is going back to Thailand (November 4-19). In 2011, there will be a river cruise “Holland and Belgium in Springtime” (April 3-15) and a 19-day November excursion to Vietnam. Savin Hill resident Alda Krisis, who went with Rojanawon to Thailand last November, reports, “We loved going on a trip geared to people our own age. At 70, you can’t keep up with the 20-year-olds! But with OLLI you meet so many wonderful, wide-awake people who want to continue to learn.”

To enroll in courses that start in late September or early October, visit OLLI.umb.edu, or call 617 287-7312 to request a catalog.