We Care: Adventures Online Scholarship Brings Unexpected Joy!
- A full-time caregiver finds joy and fights isolation by enrolling in Road Scholar’s Adventures Online programs. These multi-day adventures provide an essential escape, allowing caregivers to reconnect with the world without leaving home.
- Experience immersive, expert-led online programs that feel like you're there. Road Scholar makes lifelong learning accessible with scholarships for all ages, proving financial aid isn't just for the young.
- Self-care is crucial for caregivers. Taking a break for personal growth is not selfish but necessary to combat isolation and stay fully present for loved ones.
Life’s greatest journeys aren’t always to distant lands — sometimes, they lead us right back home. For Wendy, a passionate explorer with a strategic role in IT, that journey began in 2016.
When her parents in Florida needed her, she didn’t hesitate. Wendy put her own adventures on hold to support her family, trading the Pacific Northwest for the Sunshine State to care for her ill mother and be there for her dad. It was a different kind of expedition — one of love and dedication. “I was fortunate to get approval to work remotely from Florida,” she recalls, “so I packed up my laptop and moved home.”
From her new home just a short drive away, Wendy became the family’s anchor. She navigated the challenges of her mother’s progressing autoimmune disorder with grace and resolve, offering a steady presence for both of her parents.
Her support was constant, tending to everyday details — running errands and buying groceries. “If my dad needed a break, I would stay with mom so he could get out for a while.” But the true depth of her compassion was most profoundly expressed through her selfless and steadfast presence in their lives.
A New Chapter
A few years later, the pandemic brought a new chapter of challenges. Wendy found herself at a crossroads, balancing her demanding remote career with the daily care her mother required. “It was an overwhelming combination,” she explains. “I realized I couldn’t sustain my job, the intensity of the pandemic and my mother’s illness all at once. I left my career and began searching for something to take me away from the intense daily grind, but with my mom’s health and the world on lockdown, a physical journey was not an option.”
A Spark of Joy
After stepping away from her career, Wendy felt isolated. She began searching for a way to reconnect with the world. That’s when she discovered Road Scholar and found an online lecture about Costa Rica’s butterflies. “Enrolling in that program brought a spark of joy back into my life,” says Wendy.
Fast Forward
After her mother’s passing in 2021, Wendy’s focus shifted full-time to her 90-year-old father, whose dizzy spells were becoming more frequent. She became his advocate and companion — accompanying him to his doctor’s appointments and helping him fill out forms. “It has been one long blending of caregiving — first for my mother, eventually for both of my parents and now for my dad,” Wendy says.
Wendy remembered a moment of learning that had brought her joy years before: A Road Scholar online lecture about butterflies. She returned to the website in 2024 knowing she could find a meaningful adventure for herself.
It Began With “Apply”
Wendy explored the website, intrigued by Road Scholar’s history. “I started digging around and that’s how I learned about the Adventures Online scholarships.”
“Applying changed everything for me,” says Wendy. “I needed to choose three programs, in hopes that I would be selected for one of them. It was hard to pick!” She selected, The Colors & Contrasts of Morocco, Exploring the Religions of the World and The Art & History of Paris.
The news, when it came, was more than she had hoped for — she had been awarded a scholarship for not just one, but all three programs. “I was so thankful, I had to re-read the letter a few times,” she says. “It was spectacular!”
The adhan is the Islamic call to prayer.
Immersive by Design
Wendy found the depth and breadth of the expert instructors to be exceptional. “I like to be immersed in a deeper dive for more than an hour,” she says. The experience tapped into a passion for adventure that began at a young age. “My parents instilled the love of travel in me early on,” she says. “But, as I get older, I find I appreciate learning and traveling more and more.”
Her Paris adventure came with an unexpected thrill: It ran live during the Olympics. “It was perfect timing! Beyond getting the scholarship, I was able to enjoy this fantastic program live from Paris at the time that the whole world was focused on the city,” she explains.
The program was so captivating, Wendy felt as if she were walking the streets of Paris herself. She credits the instructor, Nettah Yoeli-Rimmer, for making that possible. “Nettah did an incredible job connecting pieces of art history with the city and how they fit in globally,” Wendy explains. “It was really a ‘feet-on-the-ground’ experience as we ‘walked’ through the collections of the Louvre, Rodin and Orsay museums.” The feeling of immersion was more than she ever expected from an online program. “He was phenomenal,” she says. “I felt like I was physically present.”
Louvre Museum, Paris.
A Necessary Break
Wendy’s message to fellow caregivers is one she learned firsthand: while it can feel selfish to take time for yourself, the opposite is true. “It’s really quite necessary to take a break in order to be fully present when caring for a loved one,” she says. That break, she found, is also a bridge. “It’s a powerful way to connect with others when the demands of caregiving can leave you feeling quite isolated.” Perhaps most importantly, her learning adventures reminded her that she wasn't alone in her journey. “I thought I was the only one struggling,” she shares. “But you quickly learn that everyone is navigating their own challenges.”
Filled With Gratitude
The scholarship was more than just financial support — it was a profound affirmation that learning and discovery are for every stage of life. “I had a misconception that scholarships were only for 20-year-olds,” Wendy admits. “When I saw the eligibility requirements, I realized this was for me, too! It gave me a tremendous boost and inspired me to look for more opportunities.”
The opportunity to attend three programs changed her entire perspective. “Adventures Online reinvigorated my life,” she says. “I am so thankful to Road Scholar for helping me broaden my horizons while still being there for my family.”
Her experience has forged a deep and grateful connection to the community that invested in her. “I appreciate that Road Scholar dedicates resources to these scholarships. Someone made a gift to help me,” she reflects. “If I’m ever in the position, I hope to do the same for someone else. It would mean so much to me.”