Enrolling, Auditing, and Attending

Enrolling In or Registering to Audit Courses

Lifelong Learners are welcome to attend the Global Studies course without auditing. For all other courses, Lifelong Learners must either enroll or register to audit the course. Instructor pre-approval is required prior to the LLL course registration process (which occurs at the beginning of the voyage). Options include:

Enrolling. If a Lifelong Learner intends to be committed to a particular subject and wishes to receive academic credit, he or she may enroll in a course, provided that space is available and the instructor approves. Attendance and completion of assignments, FDPs, and exams is expected. Following the voyage, enrolled participants receive an official transcript from the University of Virginia that reflects the grade and credits earned for the course. The enrollment fee is $200, regardless of how many courses are taken.

Auditing. If a Lifelong Learner intends to be committed to a particular subject and does not wish to receive academic credit, he or she may register to audit a course, provided that space is available and the instructor approves. Attendance and reading of course material is expected, but taking of exams and completion of assignments is not required. Although no credit or grades are awarded, an official transcript from the University of Virginia is sent following the voyage. The fee to audit is $200, regardless of how many courses are taken.

Lifelong Learner Seminar

Lifelong Learner Seminars occur daily at sea in the late afternoon. These seminars are open to Lifelong Learners only (the adult spouses/partners of the faculty and staff are also invited). Lifelong Learner Seminars are taught by the Academic Coordinator for Lifelong Learners--a faculty member who is dedicated to enriching the intellectual life of Lifelong Learners. In addition to delivering stimulating seminars him or herself, the Academic Coordinator will occasionally invite special lecturers and guests to the seminar, as well as facilitate panel discussions.

Explorer Seminar

Explorer Seminars are non-credit learning opportunities open to the entire shipboard community. Seminars are generally one-hour in length, and between one and four seminars may be concurrently scheduled each evening at sea. Lifelong Learners are encouraged to attend Explorer Seminar as well as propose a topic to present! Seminars take many shapes and forms, including lectures, slide shows, workshops, or other formats. Topics may include: cultural and historical information pertinent to upcoming ports; topics pertaining to student development; topics related to hobbies, travels, current events, an particular area of expertise, an interesting event in that occurred in a participant's life, or anything you would like to share that you feel would be of interest to others.

Pre-Port Sessions, On-Arrival Diplomatic Briefings, Post-Port Reflections

Prior to arrival in port, and again at departure, the entire shipboard community is asked to attend various sessions and briefings to help them have a successful and safe visit.

Cultural Pre-Port. Cultural Pre-Port is scheduled as a major Explorer Seminar two evenings before arrival to a port. The Academic Dean works with the select faculty to present this cultural overview of the approaching port.

Logistical Pre-Port. This session is scheduled as an exclusive Explorer Seminar the evening before arrival to port. The Executive Dean works with select staff to brief participants on health and safety concerns, matters pertaining to disembarkation and immigration, field program logistics, transportation options, etc.

Diplomatic Briefings. As soon as the ship arrives, representatives from the U.S Consulate often provide a diplomatic briefing, providing participants with further understanding and context of the country about to be visited.

Post-Port Reflections. Immediately following departure, faculty and staff facilitate guided small and/or large group discussions to help participants share their in-port learning experiences.