In a typical learning environment, you might expect students to listen and take notes while a teacher leads the class. But at Learnlife's Urban Hub, things look a little different.
Here, learners take an active role not only in their education but in each other’s growth, discovering talents and passions that they share freely with their peers. This environment fosters a culture of collaboration, where learners guide learners and knowledge flows in every direction. It’s not unusual to see learners side by side, exchanging ideas and techniques, with mutual encouragement and mentorship along the way.
One of the best examples of this empowering approach can be found in the Urban Hub’s ceramics studio, which opened this year.
Step inside, and you might see Ona, one of Learnlife’s Changemakers, working alongside another learner, passionately explaining a particular technique she’s mastered with clay. The scene captures the essence of what Learnlife is all about - creating spaces for learners to explore their interests, push beyond their limits, and share what they know with others.
Ona’s Journey: From Learner to Guide
For Ona, creating with clay has always felt natural. She’s long been at home with the textures, shapes, and transformative process of ceramics. However, teaching wasn’t something she’d ever envisioned for herself.
She even believed it was something she wouldn’t be particularly good at. Yet, when Ona began sharing her knowledge in ceramics with other learners, something remarkable happened. She found herself not only enjoying the act of teaching but thriving in it.
At first, it was surprising to her. Ona had always thought of herself as a learner in the ceramics world, not a guide or teacher. But as she began explaining techniques, she noticed something interesting - teaching was enhancing her own skills in ways she hadn’t expected.
“I didn’t even think I was that good until I started teaching it,” Ona shared.
“I did three classes where I was teaching someone, and it made my skills get so much better immediately. It was crazy. I think it’s because you’re thinking so much more about what you’re doing.”
Guiding other learners allowed Ona to refine her process, bringing new levels of mindfulness to each step. With each lesson, she became more intentional, breaking down steps and focusing on the why behind each action. Her confidence grew along with her expertise, and she found joy not only in mastering her craft but in helping others do the same.
Preparing to Lead: Ona's Next Step
Ona’s experiences in the ceramics studio have ignited a new direction for her learning journey.
She’s now preparing to lead an Adelante session, a special workshop series where learners guide each other in skills they’re passionate about. Ona will teach others how to create intricate designs in ceramics, passing on her love of clay and the techniques she’s spent so much time perfecting.
And this shift hasn’t just been about enhancing her skills or building confidence; it’s helped Ona reconsider her entire future path.
Whereas she once envisioned a traditional route to university, Ona’s journey with ceramics has inspired her to explore a different, more tailored path. She’s now pursuing a professional ceramics programme that will allow her to develop her artistry further, paired with an Erasmus exchange programme.
This opportunity will allow her to travel and learn ceramics from diverse cultures, bringing new textures, techniques, and perspectives into her work.
Shaping the Future with Her Own Hands
Ona’s story is a powerful reminder of what can happen when learners are given the space to explore and share their passions.
Her journey has evolved from the simple act of creating with clay to a realisation of her capacity to teach, inspire, and lead others. And as she shapes clay, Ona is also shaping her future, building a life grounded in her love of ceramics and her dedication to self-discovery and shared learning.
At Learnlife, learners like Ona are encouraged to take the reins of their education, learning not just for exams or grades but for the joy of discovery and the opportunity to build a meaningful life. Ona’s story shows that when learners are empowered to follow their passions and share their knowledge, they unlock new paths forward, growing not only as students but as individuals and changemakers.
In the end, the culture of “learners guiding learners” goes far beyond skill-building.
It creates a community where each person’s growth is intertwined with the growth of others. And for learners like Ona, this environment becomes a launchpad for a life designed and built with purpose, passion, and the freedom to learn and lead.
