Charting Courses: Stories from Our Floating Campus
Imagine joining a curious community of learners on a “campus” that sails the seas. That’s exactly what our Floating Campus programs offer — exclusive educational voyages to some of the world's most storied waterways.
Picture waking up each day to a new horizon, diving into fascinating lectures and taking part in immersive field trips, all while soaking in the camaraderie and dynamic community of Road Scholar.
To give you a real sense of this one-of-a-kind experience, we chatted with Gary and Helen, two Road Scholars who just got back from their Floating Campus adventure in Scotland on the Ocean Albatros, a top-tier expedition cruise ship. Having been on five land-based programs, they wanted to try something new. “We chose a Floating Campus voyage because we really wanted the experience and loved the idea of the whole ship filled with other Road Scholars,” Helen explains.
Since Gary has Scottish heritage, The Hidden Coasts of Scotland was the perfect choice for them. “We’re also fans of the Masterpiece Mystery program, ‘Shetland,’” shares Helen. “We were thrilled by the opportunity to see the island ourselves.”
“Really, we wanted to see a lot of Scotland,” adds Gary, “and we loved the idea that we could just unpack once and go about our days. We weren’t disappointed. There was so much to see and do, on board and off.”
One of the highlights for both was exploring the Outer Hebrides. “It was so interesting,” Gary enthuses. “The standing stones, the ancient culture, it was mind-boggling. The Neolithic people left their mark, and you just keep asking yourself, ‘how did they do that?’ So, it was especially good to have the lecturers on board.”
Participants standing in front of the Edinburgh Castle in Scotland
“They were so approachable, too,” agrees Helen. “You really could talk to them anytime, ask them anything.”
Favorite lectures included one on Scottish history, language and culture. “There was also a wonderful lecture on Sherlock Holmes and the stories based in Scotland, but also one on World War II, Robert Lewis Stevenson and his family’s involvement in lighthouse engineering,” Helen recalls.
“Everything was incredible,” Gary adds. “Really, if you want to be immersed in the culture, do this — Floating Campus had everything. They really brought the culture to you. We loved the Scottish bagpipes and dancing. A family of musicians came on board and really got all of us dancing the traditional steps. It was so much fun!”
Shared experiences like these brought the group together, participants and instructors alike. “We’ve already enrolled in a program with one of the participants we met for next year, and we’re looking for opportunities to join a program with a Group Leader we had on our Road Scholar Great Lakes learning adventure,” says Gary. “Lifelong learning also involves making new lifelong friends.”
It wasn’t just Road Scholars that left a lasting impression. “The staff on the Albatros was fantastic,” Helen says. “That was such an important component. The expedition team was amazing, so knowledgeable. One of the staff would quiz us on water birds,” she laughs. “Did you know they live on water their whole lives?”
Charles II Statue in Edinburgh, Scotland
“They only come to the cliffs to mate,” Gary adds.
Helen nods, saying, “The captain volunteered to take us closer to the cliffs to see the puffins. It wasn’t on the schedule, but he did it anyway. It’s moments like that that leave their mark and transform you.”
Meghan Flynn, a member of the Program Team at Road Scholar, couldn’t agree more. “At just the size of South Carolina, you might think you’d only need a few days to get a true sense of Scotland, but that could not be further from the truth!” she says. “I’ve been to quite a lot of places in my career but to spend an evening learning about the mystery and significance of the Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae from a leading expert and then to experience it firsthand with that same person was truly an unforgettable experience.”
Gary remembers something their Group Leader, Rola Skoula, restated several times, a sentiment attributed to ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras: one who travels must leave his own borders behind. “We have embraced this idea without realizing it,” he says. “And our world view has expanded exponentially with every Road Scholar adventure, whether in person or online.”
Tempted to sail the world on a Floating Campus program? Join us and let the waves guide you to new knowledge, friendships and learning adventures that will become your favorite stories to tell. Curious about what it’s like aboard the Ocean Albatros? Check out our video here.
Where will you float to next? Join the conversation — and the community — on Facebook.