We’ve been thinking hard over the summer break, and this term we’re launching something a little different: three new ‘learning communities’ exclusively for UTS Housing residents focused on photography, language and culture, and postgraduate business areas.

Launched under the guidance of Andrew Redgrave, Academic and Learning Communities Officer for UTS Housing, each community will have its own resident experts to lead the group.

So what are they?

“Learning communities are more than just classes. They are groups of individuals who share common learning goals and attitudes, and connect to collaborate on their learning,” says Andrew.

Residents are given the opportunity to contribute and learn in a friendly environment and belong to a wider support network.

And what do they do?

1. Photography

Brand new to UTS Housing, this learning community is lead by certified photographer, Milad Nabi, who is excited to see all of UTS Housing’s shutterbugs come together.

Milad will guide the group through photography basics such as composition, balance and colour, and cover basic digital image editing in Adobe Photoshop.

A photo taken by Milad.

Residents that don’t own a camera are welcome to join too – smartphone photography is a growing trend and can produce some great results, Milad says.

There’s no shortage of activities planned for the term ahead either.

“We’re going to have excursions; we’re going to visit exhibitions. If members are interested, we will also have a photography competition,” he said.

Free and open to all UTS Housing residents, simply join the Facebook group and come along to the class, held on Wednesdays at 2pm in the U:Learn Centre.

2. Language, Culture and Cuisines

The new LC&C learning community takes a wider approach to learning. Incorporating language lessons, cultural awareness, excursions and of course ethnic food, the focus is on fun and engaging activities.

One of these, the Spanish community, is brand new this semester. Organised by Resident Networker Paco Luna, these sessions take place on Mondays at 4:30pm and Tuesdays at 6pm in the U:Learn Centre.

“Every class is devoted to a different country where Spanish is spoken. This way, residents get to know the cultural and linguistic differences among the Spanish-speaking communities across the globe, while they learn grammar and vocabulary as well,” said Paco.

He describes it as more a “Spanish club than a Spanish class,” focusing on the social and community aspects of the group.

“Residents get to build a really cool community, where no one is excluded, and everyone is there to give you a hand. There will be cultural nights too in which we will go to places in Sydney where Spanish can be practised, such as arts or salsa nights,” he said.

A resident teaching a language lesson on Level 8 of Yura Mudang.

For old and new lovers of Deutsch, the German group, led by Henning Kramer, holds classes on Wednesdays at 4:30pm in the U:Learn Centre.

Henning’s goal is to help members “discover and explore the German culture” in a way tailored to the needs of the class.

As well as practising speaking, reading and writing in German, the class “will be interactive and will include real life examples out of the German lifestyle and will relate to current German topics” said Henning.

Two residents cooking during a cultural cuisine night at Yura Mudang.

3. Postgraduate Business

Another fresh addition to UTS Housing’s learning communities is Postgraduate Business.

Focused on engaging residents who study Business, the community will hold networking events, Excel classes and social events, with more workshops planned in the future.

“It’s a great opportunity to meet people who study the same degree as you,” Annika Tries, the community’s leader, said.

“It’s a lot of fun.”

Annika believes networking between residents will give Business students contacts that will be useful in their future careers, as well as a support group for their studies.

Join the Facebook group and stay tuned to the UTS Housing Service’s Events page for upcoming classes and events with the Business community.

Two residents create art during a cultural night.

But the program doesn’t stop here!
Keen to further expand this initiative, UTS Housing wants to hear from its residents, in other words, you!

Do you have an area of expertise and think tutoring could be for you? Email Andrew.redgrave@uts.edu.au to find out more about tutoring in UTS Housing and how to get involved in any of the Learning Communities.