When Lila Z., 63, discovered GetSetUp through a local library in the San Francisco Bay area, she was thrilled with what she found. She embraced the opportunity to master technologies, such as her Apple Mac Computer, that she never had time to learn when she was working.

Before her retirement, Lila, served as compliance administrator for a port authority. She always wished she could have more time to learn different types of software and technology. But work duties and time restraints always got in the way.

“We had an IT dept that would assist us. We never really had a moment to learn as well as we’d like to learn. Time doesn’t allow it unless you’re a quick study. So the tech classes have been extremely helpful.  Now that I can take the time, I say to myself, ‘Oh, so that’s how you do that.’”

Lila retired just before the pandemic struck, and her plans immediately stalled because of shutdowns and travel restrictions.

“I retired with thoughts of being able to do all kinds of things and then couldn’t, obviously. So needless to say, like everyone else, I felt pretty shocked, dumbfounded, and useless.”

That’s why she’s elated to immerse herself in a variety of GetSetUp classes. In addition to the technology guidance, she enjoys classes on travel, cooking, photography, and more. She loves the passion and commitment of the instructors, and she also learns from their responses to questions that the other learners ask during class sessions. 

“You can tell how passionate some of the instructors are, and there’s no dumb question. [GetSetUp Guide] Donna did a class on smart TVs. One lady asked, ‘Do I have a smart TV? Because I don’t know what a smart TV is?’ And Donna explained to her what a smart TV is. She walked us through what each TV brand does and how they’re set up. She even gave us comparison charts.”

Lila has also enjoyed travel and exploration classes with GetSetUp Guides Russ and Sue. 

“Sue is the sweetest woman. She’ll talk about castles, tunnels, and caves. Her classes on castles in Germany were fascinating. And Russ took us on virtual tours, taught us how to travel solo, how to do Airbnb, and showed us all these wonderful trips.”

Lila regrets that she didn’t learn about GetSetUp earlier, but after two-and-a-half years of pandemic-induced nesting at home, she’s comforted by the familiar faces and names she sees in the virtual classes.

‘GSU is pretty much opening the world to you because of its variety. There is so much to learn. You’re not isolated. You have a world in front of you. You don’t have to be by yourself.

I am a GetSetUp junkie!”