Bad Bunny has spoken: We have four months (now, closer to three) to learn Spanish. And when Bad Bunny says ‘hop!’, I say “Cuanto de alto?” Okay, I apologize if that translation is imperfect, I’m learning. No, literally, I’m auditing Elementary Spanish (HISP 1100) every Monday, Wednesday and Friday this semester. Picture a regular intro to Spanish course at Bowdoin. Now also picture an overeager, silver-haired, 42-year-old dean/alum plopped into the middle of it. Yeah, that’s me.

Course registration for spring 2026 begins this coming Monday, and I’m here to remind and encourage my fellow colleagues across the College of the great joy of auditing at Bowdoin. As Bowdoin employees, we can audit one course for free each semester.  After the auditing freeze during the 2024–2025 academic year, now is a great time to type “BOW STU Find Course Sections” into the Workday search bar and see what’s on offer this spring. I’m already eyeing another Spanish course myself.

I have to give a major shoutout to Profesora Edie Adams, a new faculty member, who has welcomed me into “Elementary Spanish” with open arms and included me in every aspect of the course experience. Likewise, my classmates—most of whom are less than half my age—are similarly inclusive, laughing with me when we can’t remember our vocabulary terms or mess up our pronunciations while cheering each other on as we compete in Spanish versions of Battleship and Taboo! Even with the 8 a.m. class start time, the people in my class keep the vibes immaculate. Estamos muy feliz!

Now, I understand and acknowledge that every employee at Bowdoin has an array of responsibilities in and out of the office, which may complicate the option of auditing a class. I am extremely grateful to my supervisor (shoutout Khoa Khuong!) and colleagues in my department for their support as I sneak away to class each week. Each course may place different demands on their auditors. In Spanish, I participate fully, blurting out answers to preguntas as my mouth fumbles to wrap itself around new words and accents. I, like my younger classmates, feel vulnerable, nervous and excited to process aloud new ideas and concepts with everyone in a shared space. I hurry home excited to complete my homework even when it means staying up past my middle-aged bedtime to get it all done. However, there may be other courses out there where the participation looks different, perhaps appealing to someone who’s curious about a topic but wants a more lowkey experience. Search “2025–2026 Academic Year Course Auditing” on the Bowdoin website to learn more.

What I’ve come to appreciate about this experience is how much I’ve learned not just about the Spanish language but about the amazing work that our students and faculty do on the daily. This course is giving me a new perspective, new relationships and a renewed understanding of what we—the Bowdoin community—are all here working towards together. Muchas, muchas gracias to the College’s continued commitment to its employees and community members by making this longstanding tradition available. I encourage anyone out there who’s ever wondered about it to give auditing a try. You never know what’s waiting for you behind that classroom door.

Michael Wood ’06 is an assistant class dean.