For older people trying to settle into their new home at the Costa del Sol the University of the Third Age (U3A) can be a revelation and life line. U3A is a non-profit-making, global organisation promoting learning for enjoyment and personal fulfilment for people of “mature” years; the organisation has several branches at the Costa del Sol that organise not only tuition in just about any topic under the sun, but also offer exciting outings such as hiking trips, visits to art galleries, museums and foodie fairs.
It's a great way to discover new hobbies, while getting to know other English-language speaking expats at the same time. At the Costa del Sol the U3A is well established, having opened doors to informal study groups as long ago as 1997. U3A in Spain has several branches along the coast, including in Torremolinos. The organisation boasts nearly 300 members sourced from more than 27 different nationalities in Fuengirola and has ca. 700 members in Marbella.
So what do these over-50's students get up to?
Well, they don't sit exams for starters. All informal study groups are led by Group leaders, who are volunteer members keen to share their life-long expertise in certain subjects or their specialist interest with other U3A members. This could be anything, from learning how to restore old furniture to cooking, birdwatching or line dancing, digital photography or astronomy.
Are they having fun? You betcha!
More than 30 members of the Fuengirola U3A branch are taking part in a modern jive course held in the Manila Café in Los Boliches every Thursday afternoon. It's one of the most popular courses at the Fuengirola branch.
Run by members for members, U3A organise courses in a vast range of subjects. At present, U3A Fuengirola offers 30 courses alone on subjects as diverse as drama, philosophy, history, music and geology. Naturally, there are also Spanish lessons on the curriculum. A small library of books covering a wide range of topics is also available for those who'd like to read up on stuff in more detail. Relying on membership fees and self-sufficiency completely, the organisation exists without public funding.
“We have been fortunate to be able to hold our courses and lectures in the premises of Lux Mundi and the Ark Christian Fellowship Hall in exchange for a modest donation,” explained Geoff Cook, president of the U3A in Fuengirola, adding that the annual membership fee of 30.00 euros covers rental of premises and administrative costs only. “The courses are done by members on a voluntary bases,” Geoff added.
In the past, the organisation has covered topics as diverse as science and technology, the arts, Spanish at all levels, physical activities such as table tennis, Andalucian hiking trips and visits to museums in Malaga. Every Sunday there is a coffee morning for members, and once a month there are lectures on various topics. U3A also has a branch in the Axarquia region just east of Malaga; courses run generally from September to May, breaking for Christmas and New Year in December every year.
As an English-speaking self-help group the U3A does not aim to address a specific age or type of person. Rather, the organisation hopes to attract members from a specific period in a person's life – the Third Age – the time when we are looking around for something different to do than just work, work, work or sit around staring at the walls of our retirement homes, even if they happen to be in sunny Marbella.
Having given up the Second Age of child rearing and full-time employment, many people feel slightly adrift, perhaps even cast aside in favour of a younger generation. Yet, there is a lifetime of experience, of knowledge that mature people can pass on to others.
Photography, astronomy, poetry, creative writing, learning Spanish – or any other language from the 27 different nationalities that make up the 300-strong membership of the U3A Fuengirola – all manner of topics are covered by enthusiastic volunteers. There are no qualification requirements, nobody sits exams or receives a certificate at the end of a course. It's simply the chance to learn new things for enjoyment and having the satisfaction of sharing one's knowledge, skills and interests with others.
At the Fuengirola branch, some of the lectures are held by external speakers. Various cultural visits to cities and towns across Spain and a regular Malaga museum visit, where one can spend the whole day at an art gallery of one's choice are also part of the programme.
Members are often recruited by word of mouth. Many newly arrived expats hear about the U3A from other foreign retirees, when they first cast around for opportunities to make new friends.
“Everyone has the opportunity to meet like-minded people during our activities and it proves to be a popular social gathering, as well as an educational one,” enthused U3A Fuengirola president Geoff. “We are adding new courses, especially Spanish courses. I think the new Sevillana dance classes will prove extremely popular,” he added with a confident smile, his toes practically tapping out a tune at the same time.
In Fuengirola the U3A hopes to help the English-speaking expat community to ease their way into Spanish society with the help of several new courses.
Alan Campell, a former accountant now turned treasurer for the U3A Fuengirola branch, has been with the organisation for a year: “We had only just moved to Spain when we became members of the U3A and it proved to be a great way for my wife and I to meet new friends.”
Are you ready for the Third Age?
For a variety of reasons the U3A sheds around 20 percent of members each year, which means they are always ready to recruit new members, particularly among people who are keen to share their skills and knowledge. If you are an expat about to start a new life in Fuengirola or Torremolinos or have just moved into your luxurious Marbella apartment and feel a little homesick, the U3A is a fabulous place to meet new friends and have fun, while learning how to get to grips with life in Spain at the same time.
Members can join any of the Andalucia branches, irrespective of where they live at the Costa del Sol. Anyone interested in joining should visit the U3A information desk, which is open from 11.00 am to 12.30 pm every Friday at The Ark Christian Fellowship Hall, Las Rampas, Fuengirola.
For further membership information and details on next year's courses, please visit the U3A website at http://www.u3acostadelsol.org, or send an email with your enquiry to info@u3acostadelsol.org.