Integral to an EverScholar experience is the fact that it takes place at a course-specific site. There is an emotional component to learning in an academic environment again, and we never lose sight of that. The EverScholar experience is not confined to the classroom – not even close. You will see collections and assets that you have never seen – they may not have existed when you were in college The living and eating experience is enhanced by a sense of place, but also by being there with your fellow EverScholar participants- EverScholars, faculty, and the other experts that you will meet as you see the delightful corners that our partner institutions fill with treasures.. Little touches throughout the program will add to your delight.

Listen to Dale Ponikvar and Karen Pinson discuss the experience of returning to an academic setting.

Special Events

EverScholar programs are always highlighted by a number of “Special Events,” wherein we are treated to an inside look at treasures of our partner institutions, usually guided by a curator or director of the resource or department in question.  The real depth of these collections, and particularly the incredible expertise of our guides, is revealed during these sessions – always to the delight of all attending.  Usually these experts join us for dinner afterwards as well, further expanding our community and deepening the experience.

EverScholar alumna Motria Ukrainskyj describes her reaction to a special event wherein she encountered Sir Thomas More’s personal prayerbook as part of a presentation to us of many Renaissance study-related treasures.  Thomas More had this with him as he awaited his fate in the Tower, and his annotations could be seen in the margins.  All thrilled to the unrestricted access to this almost unreal piece, turning these pages of history at will.

Professors explain the intricacies of this 15th Century map from a rare book library’s collection.

Curator of a Holocaust Video Archive presents haunting, unforgettable selections from the Archive to program participants.  At dinner afterwards, the depth of her expertise and generosity in sharing it made for a very memorable evening.

The faces of our participants reveal the intensity of this experience.  We all know the Holocaust, but then again, none of us do.

A Law School Rare Book Collection was a site for a memorable event.  Here a book of original Italian statutes from the Renaissance is shown.  Aside from being of immense legal interest, this was an example of a work during the Print Revolution, which we also studied in depth.

Our Professor speaks about 16th century maps during our session in a Map Room. You can see a variety of navigation instruments around the table as well as a variety of incredibly rare and fascinating maps.  Our Professor was, at is happens, a leading expert on cartography, particularly during the Renaissance!

Film screenings are a popular event; usually they are held in the evening, and a professor joins us for introduction of the film as well as dinner afterwards.  On this occasion, a Film Studies Professor showed us 3 bewildering surrealist films, then helped with the decoding over dinner!

A Curator of Prints and Drawings arranged this collection of the finest Renaissance drawings and prints  – right in her office area, with untold treasures all around.  Then she offered guidance through every one of them.  Fascinating!

Meals

The meals we will have together – up to 17 in our one-week programs and up to 40 in our two-week programs(!) – are far more than culinary adventures. Because of the immersive nature of our program, everyone always has “something on their mind,” whether it is a subtle point from a class; a geopolitical issue raised by a discussion; perhaps curiosity and a liking for the professor or expert we just heard from; a sense of camaraderie and fellowship with a fellow student; or a collegiate memory triggered and re-lived. In many ways it is at the meals that we become a community.

Dinners see us at fine restaurants; the more elevated and/or culinarily interesting atmosphere also facilitates the discussions . It isn’t all a “monastic existence,” after all.

Housing and Facilities

EverScholar participants have access to facilities within our host institutions, where appropriate. Housing options vary by course. In all courses, the housing experience is enhanced by communal activities that promote the EverScholar sense of community.

The libraries, museums, classroom buildings, gymnasium access where appropriate,… all around our institutions, you will feel welcome and at home. You will stroll around with a purpose – an experience you will find surprisingly inspirational.