Introduction

Personal Growth:

I enrolled in Spanish 201-202 to challenge myself and to acquire the skills necessary for researching Spain's Middle Ages, Mozarabic art, and architecture. Many significant works and documents are written in Spanish, making this language essential for my studies.

Continuing from SPAN 202 into SPAN 311 has expanded my ability to engage with complex texts and cultural analysis. Looking ahead, I plan to strengthen my skills through advanced courses and immersive experiences abroad, where I can connect directly with Spanish-speaking communities and deepen my understanding of history and culture. Studying Spanish is a lifelong pursuit that will keep me motivated, and each step forward brings a sense of accomplishment as I work toward these future goals.

Retirees returning to college World Health Organization (Ageing and Heath)1 October 2024

By 2030, more than 1.4 billion people across the globe will be at least 60 years old. This number will shoot up to 2.1 billion by 2050. At this point, there will be more people age 60 or older than people between 10 and 24. These dramatic demographic shifts prompted the United Nations and World Health Organizations to declare the 2020s the decade of healthy aging. The creation of a more age-friendly world includes basic things like improving health care access. But one critical component is often overlooked: taking college courses in your 50s, 60s or beyond. These opportunities to learn in life have been associated with a host of positive health outcomes.

Mosque of Córdoba 8/2024

Toledo Spain 8/2024

Benefits of a university engaging retired individuals in their courses:

1. Financial Contributions: Tuition and Fees. By enrolling in courses, retirees contribute financially to colleges and universities. This additional revenue can help sustain programs maintain facilities, and support faculty salaries.
2. Diversity and Experience: Enriching the classroom. Retirees bring a wealth of life experience and diverse perspectives to the classroom enhancing the learning environment.
3. Community and Alumni Engagement: Volunteering. Many retirees volunteer their time to support various campus activities, from mentoring to organizing events. Advocacy. Retirees can be strong advocates for their alma mater, promoting the institution.
4. Lifelong Learning Programs: The presence of retirees can lead to the development of lifelong progdentrams tailored to their needs, which can attract more non-traditional students to the institution. Intergenerational Learning programs can foster intergenerational learning, where students of different ages learn from each other, promoting mutual understanding and respect.
5. Research Contributions: Retirees may participate in research studies, providing valuable data for academic research, particularly in fields related to aging, health and education.

Examples of Universities engaging Retired Individuals;

Dublin City University, University of Manitoba, Canada, Harvard Institue for Leaning, Mississippi State University.