A Montreal program enhancing education after retirement

The McGill Community for Lifelong Learning (MCLL) is celebrating 35 years of service offering retired and semi-retired Montrealers over the age of 50 a variety of lectures, courses, outings, and workshops for the simple pleasure of learning.

On March 25th they’ll host an open house to promote their program, which they say offers a rich and dynamic learning environment, with no age limit and no exams or grades to worry about.

“I can see the people that are here, they’re switched on, they’re keen, they’re interested, they’re engaged,” said Christopher Neal, president of MCLL.  

“What I’ve observed in in others who participate in this program is it’s really transformational for a lot of people you know especially people who like to study and learn that this is this is really it awakens your mind.”

Part of McGill University’s School of Continuing Studies and located just steps away from the main campus, programs are set in a 10-week term through fall, winter, and spring. Neal says they bring together a variety of Montrealers. 

“What brings people here is the intellectual stimulation that we offer but then what keeps them here is the community,” Neal said. “In fact and both of these are important, I mean for older people cognitive decline is an issue,” he explained.

Along with this, he says social interaction helps those find a sense of belonging while also expanding their horizons through over 35 study groups.

“A lot of older people live on their own for example but half of our members we’ve surveyed live alone so they come here,” he said.

“This is where they they find friends they find people who know their name and who they have a genuine interaction based on a community of interest.”

Many of the participants seem to come back year after year, with friendships being built inside and outside the classroom.

“You meet these people and you talk to them and we laugh a lot in class,” said Wendela Stier, MCLL moderator, and participant.

“We often go out afterward and drink coffee something and you actually get new friends and when you’re old it’s necessary.”

Offered in-person and online — each semester costs $125, offering courses in history, art, theatre, politics, international affairs, and literature, among others. 

“I enjoy doing what I’m doing here. I’ve been doing things that I haven’t been doing while I was working I was always interested in history for example kind of reading a book here or there but didn’t really have time and now that I’m here I can I can do this,” said Wolfgang Schneider, a participant.

The class is inviting other retirees to join in on the learning to find out more about the program and the upcoming open house, visit the McGill website.

“You know you’re going into new directions and you keep yourself busy you keep your brain busy,” said Schneider. “I’m doing things that I like doing it’s it’s become very important for me.”

The open house begins at 10 a.m. until noon on Tuesday, with more information available on their website.