Winter Term is the one month at Elon where students are able to experience a different kind of learning. Many students leave the campus to participate in study abroad programs, some students take classes to fulfill necessary requirements and still others take classes that promote thinking outside the box and having some fun.

Aside from classes for credit, last year Elon introduced a new program called Burst the Bubble.

This program gives students an opportunity to share an interesting hobby of theirs with fellow students for the month, in a low pressure, non-credit class setting.

Junior Anna Kimmel was drawn to the program because it is “a free, fun way to meet different people and explore something new,” she said.

Kimmel and friend, junior Emily Paradowski, have been participating in the clogging class. They described it as a type of tap dancing and have enjoyed their experience with it thus far.

“I have always been really interested in dance, but have had very few opportunities to do it so this seemed like an awesome choice,” Paradowski said. “Plus, when else can you learn how to clog?”

Senior Matt Steible decided to teach fly tying as part of the program this semester. For him, fly tying started as a hobby in high school and he realized this was the perfect time to share this with other students.

At first, Steible didn’t think anyone would even sign up for his class. Now, “we’ve got a roster of 10-12 students and they’ve been doing great,” he said. “I’m having a lot of fun teaching this class.”

Steible says he gives basic instructions on how to make a lure with a PowerPoint behind him to help the class see what they should be doing. Because it is in a laid back environment of just students, Steible says, “Obviously, we swap fishing stories during the process.”

Paradowski said one of the best parts of the clogging class is the fact that the instructor, sophomore Karina Thacker, doesn’t teach at one single level. She gives the more advanced and experienced students more steps to do, while helping those who have less experience.

Kimmel has enjoyed her time in the class as it is a nice relief from her busy winter term schedule.

“The class has been great, attracting an eclectic mix of people with positive attitudes and open minds,” she said.

Burst the Bubble courses are not for credit and are completely voluntary and require only a small time commitment. Paradowski said she could easily commit to the workshop since her class is in the morning and she has free evenings.

Other classes being offered this Winter Term are an Argentinean Tango dance class, a literature class about the novel “Dune” and a culture course entitled “Around the World in Less Than a Month.”

Paradowski and Kimmel each agreed they would definitely participate in another workshop next year if they are still offered.

Because Steible will be graduating in May, he won’t have another opportunity to participate in the program, but has sincerely enjoyed the time he has spent teaching the workshop.

Reporter: Laurie Craft - 01/16/07