Curriculum
Like Lifelong Learning Institutes in the United States, lifelong learning programs (U3As) abroad study the same subjects. Literature, Music, Science, Government, Artistic Hobbies, Drama, Play Reading, Poetry, Art, Computing, News & Debate, Exercise, Current Events, Creative Writing, and Personal History are all very popular. Courses offered at the U3As vary widely in content, style of presentation and format. In general, they include open lectures, negotiated access to established university courses, contracted courses, discussion study groups, workshops, excursions and physical health programs.

Language is high on the curriculum want-list in other countries, but lower on the list of priorities for members here in the United States. U3A members pride themselves on their ability to grasp a foreign language and then use it by traveling to that country to perfect their expertise of the native tongue. Although lifelong learners in the U.S. also do a lot of traveling, they usually speak English no matter where they are.

On-line Courses
Yet another way that U3As differ from LLIs in the U.S. is through the use of the Internet to bring courses to isolated older adult learners. In Australia, they have developed an extensive web site to help distribute courses to U3A members throughout the world who can not attend regular courses.

U3A Online, the first U3A in cyberspace, was started in 1998. Its main aim was to provide interesting, intellectually challenging activities via the Internet for seniors who become isolated from mainstream activities in their community. Isolation is common in later life and is caused by many circumstances like bereavement, illness, disability, caring for others, inadequate transport and so on. The project has also proven popular with many other seniors who have been attracted by the wide variety of high quality courses, which have been written by retired volunteers.

Their web site is full of information on programs, curriculum, etc. Find them at http://www3.griffith.edu.au/03/u3a/. It will give you an excellent feel for the very impressive scope of their online lifelong learning courses for older adults.

Summary of International Lifelong Learning Today

According to a 1996 “UNESCO Task Force on Education for the Twenty-First Century” report, Education is at the heart of both “personal and community,” development; its mission to enable us, without exception, to develop all our talents to the full. Lifelong Learning for older adults certainly fits that mandate as it is a powerful tool for developing one’s self to the fullest.

Lifelong learning for older adults is thriving in other countries. The European Parliament declared 1996 the “Year of Lifelong Learning,” and thirteen countries have developed lifelong learning policy initiatives. The need for social capital, along with rapidly advancing technology has brought lifelong learning to the attention of just about everyone.

AGE, the European Older People’s Platform was recently established to voice the interests of older and retired people with the EU institutions. Lifelong learning is one of the topics AGE will be addressing and has become an important part of the new social goal of the EU. The aim is to launch a European-wide debate on a comprehensive strategy for implementing lifelong learning at individual and institutional levels and in all spheres of public and private life.

In Far Eastern countries, lifelong learning programs aimed at enhancing computer skills and personal enrichment, among other courses, are now in the start-up phase. In Japan, The Cabinet Office’s 2001 White Paper on the “Aging of Society” cites “a high interest in lifelong learning” and “a strong ability to adapt to IT” as features of the Baby Boomer generation.

According to an opinion poll on lifelong learning conducted by the Japanese government in 1999, only 10% of those in their fifties cited standing out at work as a goal of lifelong learning, compared with 25% who cited the aim of improving their family or daily life of community.

Universities of the Third Age, like Lifelong Learning Institutes in the United States, offer all older adults a chance to meet new friends and a variety of opportunities to use their knowledge, skills and experience and to acquire new ones in an informal, friendly atmosphere.

Older adult lifelong learners around the world may, as the Third Age Trust says, “be retired, but they are not retiring!”

Nancy Merz Nordstrom. M.Ed., is the author of "Learning Later, Living Greater: The Secret for Making the Most of Your After-50 Years". Her book, according to Ken Dychtwald, is a “compelling and user-friendly guide to lifelong learning and, in many ways, a complete redefinition of the after-50 years.” Nancy also directs the Elderhostel Institute Network (EIN), North America's largest and most respected educational network for older adults. More than 360 lifelong learning institutes with over 150,000 members are affiliated with the Network. For more information – Elderhostel Institute Network Read Nancy’s story on her Journal Visit her Forum Group LearnTalk Nancy maintains a web site at LearningLater.com