‘Tis the season for New Year’s resolutions, and UBC Okanagan’s Continuing Studies has put together an extensive Spring lineup of courses starting in January that can help people learn new computer or writing skills, explore their passion for art, wines, gardening or photography, and even learn a new language.
“We all have things we’d like to learn or try our hand at, and having easy access to a great selection of courses can empower us to actively pursue those goals,” says Program Leader Elaine Crebo MacLeod. “If you’ve made a decision to discover something new about yourself or explore your talents in art or gardening or even Office computer applications, we’re here to help make this your year.”
Writing courses offer instruction in writing short stories, freelance and travel writing, and other personal and creative writing — plus there are specific courses tailored to academic writing and writing for the workplace.
Green-thumbed resolution-makers can study pruning, xeriscaping (dry gardening), or brush up on caring for trees and shrubs, plants and flowers, or focus on roses.
Computer courses beginning in January cover popular productivity applications such as Microsoft Word, Publisher, Outlook, Excel, and Access. Language courses include the French and Spanish immersion weekend in May. For budding artists, The Artist in You Series offers instruction in drawing, and in mixed media painting and collage.
“Our courses for Spring 2010 cover a wide variety of subjects many in our community have asked for — from American Sign Language to digital photography,” says Program Leader Tia-Maria Hoeller. “Over the next few months we’re offering outstanding opportunities to follow your passions, upgrade your skills for the workplace, or simply enjoy discovering something new and exciting.”
Wine lovers, for example, can plan to improve their knowledge of the region’s wines in 2010. “We’re taking registration now for courses in discovering the Okanagan’s wines, and how to pair food with wine,” says Hoeller. “And for more advanced wine connoisseurs, there’s the UBC Okanagan Wine School’s intermediate course which includes the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) exam.”
For more information or to register for a course, call UBC Okanagan Continuing Studies at 250-807-9289 or visit the Continuing Studies website at www.ubc.ca/okanagan/continuingstudies.
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