The DCI Experience
The DCI program provides a year of thoughtful reflection and reinvigoration, which our alumni affirm is a dynamic and “life-changing” experience. We do this through the three pillars of Purpose, Community, and Wellness, by offering:
- Academic discovery and immersion through access to courses and programs across Stanford’s seven schools.
- A stimulating and supportive new community of colleagues and a robust network of Stanford faculty and staff.
- Curated programming and resources to support physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
- Holistic exploration of individual meaning and purpose in later life.
- Mutually beneficial opportunities for intergenerational collaboration, learning, and mentoring.
- Exploration of opportunities for meaningful future endeavors.
- Ongoing learning and engagement with a vibrant alumni network.
DCI’s Pillars
Purpose
Each person’s life journey is unique. DCI takes a holistic approach to supporting Fellows as they explore interests and renew their purpose.
Community
One of the most important and valued pillars of DCI is the opportunity to build friendships with individuals from around the world who are exploring their personal journeys and who are eager to share experiences with a new group of colleagues.
Wellness
DCI Fellows are supported by faculty Wellness Specialists with expertise in various aspects of well-being including physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
Program Overview
The DCI program is built around three interconnected pillars: Renewing Purpose, Building Community and Recalibrating Health and Wellness. These three pillars serve as the foundational elements around which DCI is constructed and implemented during the year of fellowship and those that follow.
Reflections on the DCI Experience
Reflecting on the Past, Envisioning our Future
Our DCI cohort’s capstone adventure in Florence
“Lizness School”
In this podcast, Liz Dolan (Stanford DCI 2024) shares various experiences and observations during her DCI year at Stanford.
Image – @keeganmdunn @nomadstudios
Shortly after our DCI graduation in early June, several Fellows from our cohort flew to Florence, Italy for two splendid weeks of activities and experiences carefully curated by the DCI faculty and staff. After our transformative year together at Stanford we had all grown very close, so commencement was bittersweet. Time together in Italy was exactly what we needed to ease the transition.
We arrived in the heart of the Renaissance and passed through the large 15th century doors of Stanford’s Overseas Studies campus in Palazzo Capponi delle Rivonate overlooking the Arno River. Anticipation mounted as we toured the splendid villa and stood on the balcony gazing out at the city of Michelangelo, DaVinci, Botticelli and Dante. We stood around the grand piano in the historic salon as our co-Fellow Loretta expertly played, and we could barely contain our excitement for the adventures that lay ahead. That night we enjoyed a long Tuscan meal beside the dome of Florence’s cathedral, reflected on our fellowship growth and dreamed of our next chapters together. We were family.