Recreation & Community Life
"From the moment I touched down after the splendid flight into California, I remember such wonderful moments...the experience was unforgettable and life-giving. Not least was meeting up with so many new and good friends with whom I am still in contact."
You have many opportunities to enjoy social activities, like birthday parties, touring trips and other social get-togethers and outings. Each month, a tour is arranged to one of the destinations for which California is famous. These trips provide chances to play and renew mind and body. Participants choose the level at which they want to participate. For many, these activities are a memorable highlight of their sabbatical. The Setting"I chose New Directions because it allowed me scope to design my own program while at the same time offering a supportive structure. I reveled in the wealth of opportunity available in Berkeley from guest lectures in the various Colleges in the Graduate Theological Union to swimming and gym at the Y, concerts, ballet, visiting places of beauty and historical interest."
Year-round, temperatures average in the 60s (Fahrenheit), with the winter months only slightly cooler. The Jesuit School of Theology is a member of the Graduate Theological Union. Here there are nine divinity schools plus centers for the study of Judaism and Buddhism. You will enjoy your sabbatical in a rich ecumenical and inter-religious setting. The faculty for these schools are among the best in their fields. The GTU attracts students from around the globe, and this diversity of cultures adds greatly to the breadth and richness of the sabbatical. To find out more about the GTU, click here. Housing and Meals
Most participants prepare their own meals, but those who wish to participate in a meal plan can eat in the dining room of a nearby GTU school, Monday through Friday, at additional cost.
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Known for its spectacular natural beauty, moderate climate, and diverse cultures, the San Francisco Bay Area is an ideal location for your sabbatical. The entire area is rich with recreational opportunities including museums, parks, sports venues, concert halls, and interesting neighborhoods for walking and shopping. The Pacific Ocean is a short distance away, and Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada Mountains are a few hours away. New Directions trips are planned to Yosemite National Park, the Monterey Peninsula, the Napa Valley wine country, and Muir Woods National Forest. Within walking distance of the New Directions residence is Zellerbach Hall at the University of California; this venue attracts world-class musicians, dancers, and performers from around the world.
Most New Directions participants live in apartment-style units in Corcoran House consisting of one or two single-occupancy bedrooms, a living room, dining area and full kitchen. There are two computers with high-speed DSL internet access in the lounge, and the entire building has wireless connectivity as well.
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