Whether inspired to change careers or just pursue a long-held passion, many of us are flocking back to classrooms as we inch closer toward retirement age or after we retire. It’s been estimated that over 600,000 people over 50 are now in degree-granting post-secondary institutions. While getting that degree may be a long-sought dream, it’s also leading to mounting debt for way too many older Americans. There are some examples of colleges reducing or even eliminating their fees for older students, and there’s even an international organization dedicated to making universities more “age-friendly.” And for those of you seeking exposure to college-level classes but not in desire of the grades or the exams, the Bernard Osher Foundation has awarded grants to over 120 colleges and universities around the country to support “Life Long Learners.”

For those seeking a little adventure while exploring intellectual pursuits, check out the new Road Scholar program, “ The Aegean Odyssey- A First-Ever Floating Campus,” starting in 2020. It will provide an extraordinary educational experience from leading experts while traveling on a boat around the Aegean Sea and in European ports. For those who want to stay closer to home, you may be able to learn some practical skills by watching one of these 50 free YouTube videos teaching everything from piano playing to drywall repair. Finally, in case you missed it, The New York Times recently ran a piece on senior citizens in South Korea also heading back to the classrooms- but for these (primarily) ladies, it’s to get the primary education they were never permitted as young girls.