Could you present your
organisation?
Exploritas
is the name for the programs developed and offered by Elderhostel, Inc., the
not-for-profit world leader in lifelong learning and educational travel since
1975. Our mission is to empower adults to explore the world’s places,
peoples, cultures and ideas, and in so doing to discover more about themselves.
A fellowship of learning and the joy of discovery are the hallmarks of the Exploritas
experience.
You’ve just adopted a new name: Exploritas. Could you
explain why?
Elderhostel has evolved, society has evolved and those who are
interested in lifelong learning have evolved. Active, engaged lifelong learners
do not identify themselves as “elderly.” The word “hostel”
— inspired by the dorm-room accommodations of our earliest programs —
does not come close to describing the comfortable hotels, inns and other more
luxurious yet affordable accommodations in which our programs are set.
are active, engaged lifelong learners who identify themselves by the learning
adventures they pursue and not by their age. Elderhostel redefined what it means
to age, and so do our participants, who do not consider 60 “old” by
any means. That’s why our new program name, Exploritas, characterizes the
excitement and importance of learning and exploration – both of the mind
and of the world – and reflects the mindset of our participants and their
passion for new experiences.
Since our first programs
at five colleges and universities in New Hampshire in 1975, Elderhostel, Inc.
has expanded to include an extraordinary range of program topics, formats and
locations in every state in the United States, in more than 90 countries, and
aboard ships and sailing vessels on waterways throughout the world. Exploritas
is a continuation of this evolution.
Beside the name,
what are the other changes?
– A networking feature on
the redesigned website will help participants build new and nurture existing
relationships with fellow program participants. Users can easily stay in touch
with friends they’ve met, share memories and photos from past programs
and make plans for future Exploritas adventures.
– New programs such as independent
explorations that combine structured lectures and activities with free time
for participants to explore specific interests on their own; a selection of
shorter international programs for those who are still working and have limited
time availability; and programs that are designed so that participants can attend
two programs back-to-back if they prefer a longer experience.
Do you think that
this new strategy will allow you to work with different generations: boomers
and senior citizens?
The primary goal of the
new program name is to eliminate the barrier that the words “elder”
and “hostel” presented for many in the Baby Boom generation who
are now turning 60. Our hope is to introduce these 50 and 60-year-olds to the
stimulating intellectual adventure of our Exploritas programs and to the warm
camaraderie of our community of lifelong learners. It is incredibly life-affirming
and inspiring to learn with open-minded people – whether they are in their
50s or in their 90s – and the benefits of lifelong learning to a healthy
older age cannot be stressed enough. Promoting lifelong learning across the
adult aging spectrum is a critical part of our mission.
> More informations
: Exploritas
