This year, the back-to-school experience will be unlike anything students have known in the past. For many, e-learning will be the norm, and courses will take place in a virtual classroom. Others will find themselves in traditional learning spaces made unfamiliar due to health safety protocols. Put simply, the process of learning has changed. And the developments, born of necessity, have made it a larger and more inclusive experience. Residents of the South Loop Chicago rentals at NEMA Chicago have the opportunity to take part in the unique educational trends now unfolding. And their classrooms can be practically anywhere — including the many comfortable and technologically equipped spaces found in the building they call home.
To begin, there are an incredible number of choices available for virtual education. Local institutions, such as the University of Illinois, Roosevelt University, and the University of Chicago — all just minutes from NEMA — are currently offering a host of online courses specializing in professional development. Learn everything from digital marketing to accounting to computer science. Build on existing skills or cultivate new ones in surroundings that suit you best: Attend a lecture in a shady spot in nearby Grant Park, or keep up with your reading at Harold Washington Library.
But you need look no further than these stylish South Loop Chicago homes to find ideal spots for a virtual classroom experience. NEMA has the spaces and resources to make your home seem like your own private university — virtual or otherwise. Start with “Chicago’s fastest full-building residential internet” as your connection to the world of online education. Combine that with the use of NEMA’s CoWork space, offering screen-sharing capabilities and a kitchen where you can pause for a break with a smooth cup of cold-brewed coffee. Plus, residents of the Skyline Collection, the large, airy two- to four-bedroom apartments on the 49th to 76th floors, will have access to the private conference rooms available on the 48th floor. And, of course, the South Loop apartments at NEMA Chicago, with their spacious interiors, spectacular views, and host of luxury amenities, make the ideal classrooms.
Bring the virtual classroom into your home with some domestic courses from the folks at CourseHorse. They have been matching eager learners with local and online classes at universities and community centers for years. Residents who want to take full advantage of the lavishly equipped kitchens at NEMA Chicago will love CourseHorse’s selection of cooking classes. With courses that teach the basics, such as Virtual Knife Skills, to cuisine-specific sessions, like the Virtual Challah Baking class, learning to cook in your own home is truly a treat. Spend a day learning to make pasta or pizza, and then pass the evening brushing up on your knowledge of wine and mixology. Or, head up to NEMA Chicago’s stunning rooftop deck and commandeer one of the outdoor grills to master that perfectly seared steak.
Move into your living room to blow off some steam with The Second City. This legendary Chicago comedy institution is just waiting to help you get (and give) some serious laughs. Their Improv Escape Series offers live improvisational comedy sessions where you’ll learn exercises, games, and strategies for creating comedy on the fly. Best of all, you’ll meet like-minded new people, laugh a lot, and have some genuine fun.
We’ve only scratched the surface of what is possible for your South Loop Chicago apartment in terms of the many new e-learning opportunities and environments that are available. So, whether you’re in the market for a sky-high studio or a luxury four-bedroom home, head over to the NEMA website to check availability and schedule a virtual tour of your future South Loop home.