Here's the amazing truth for the curious: You can learn anything you want online — at least the basics — and a lot of it is free.
The first and most obvious platform: YouTube, where amateurs and professionals alike post instructional and DIY videos by the thousand, whether it's learning to code or how to refinish a wood floor. Regular YouTube accounts are free, but be cautious — the quality of instruction can vary widely, from excellent to don't-try-this-at-home.
If you'd like to access university-level coursework from top institutions without opening your wallet, edX might be your thing. Created by MIT and Harvard, edX is a nonprofit learning platform that caters to lifelong learners. Certificate courses and programs are available for a fee, but most courses are available for free if you're just there to learn.
The massive online course platform Udemy is another great way to pick up new skills from experts around the world on just about any topic imaginable, from drawing classes to mathematics. Most courses cost around $15, though some can run up to about $300. Course material can be accessed through the website or with the Udemy app.
If you like to dabble in all kinds of things and don't want to commit to just one class for your money, Skillshare provides acccess to a huge variety of classes for a flat monthly fee. Take a quick class in watercolors or learn a new skill for work — anything you might be interested in, Skillshare probably has a class on that. Course access is currently $19 per month and annual membership is $99.
An explosion of language learning platforms will make your next trip from Beijing to Spain more fun. Duolingo, Babbel, Pimsleur and Rosetta Stone are just a few of the language learning platforms online. Most have free modules. When you get hooked on your favorite language, you can find hundreds of different supplemental courses that let you watch, hear and speak in your new language.
