Testimonials

Testimonials from Summer 2009 

We are excited to share feedback we have received from students that took the Summer 2009 Foundations of Positive Psychology course with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar.

"The course has exceeded my expectations by a long shot! Tal's lectures are well organized and I especially appreciated the routine grounding of the material in research. I have learned very much about myself and the concepts of Positive Psychology. I genuinely feel the course has changed my life. It has inspired me to enroll in the MPOD program at Case Western this fall!"

Kevin, Assistant Dean for Planning and Institutional Effectiveness
Doha, Qatar

"It's one thing to hear of the claims made by Positive Psychology. It's quite another to have a world renowned expert walk you through the rich research that backs up those claims. Tal connected rigorous science with useful, daily applications of Positive Psychology."

Director of Professional Development at an Experiential Educational Institution
Estes Park, Colorado, USA

"I very much appreciate the thought that went in to the construction of the course. The 'spiralling' of knowledge building and understanding is a very effective approach. I am finding the 'application to my personal understanding and development' approach to be very effective, and meaningful, as well. 'Be the change you want to see in the world.' Integrating the experience of the ideas and concepts presented in the course content personally, seems essential for true understanding and in order to be able to apply the new knowledge with credibility. The additional reading suggestions and book titles for each week's lessons are helpful, as well. Being able to interact and learn from the other students (and such a diverse group, as well) and their experiences with the course has been very helpful and affirming, too."

Michelle, Education and Curriculum Specialist, Aquatic Ecology and Natural Resources
Minnesota, USA

"An excellently and professionally prepared course, which is providing knowledge, tips and methods for practical application in very unique and flexible way."

Tom, Manager in R&D
Beijing, China

"The lectures and reading have provided me with more in depth knowledge of topics that I have found to be increasingly important to share with my own students who serve as mentors to at-risk students. Both the mentors and their mentees will benefit from my experience with this class."

Star, University Instructor, Social Entrepreneurship
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA

"I like the way the student is in charge of how much time to commit given the different levels of reading and the extra assignments."

M. Jenise, Social Work Program Director
Kansas City, Missouri, USA

"I find the lectures so engaging, and having the time-in at the end of each lecture is a great way to reflect on what we've just heard and experienced."

Sonya, Brand Consultant
Melbourne, Australia

"This course brought together what I have been studying for the past 10 years. I have shared what I have learned with many friends, coworkers and family members and all have expressed a noticeable change in me. It made sense and was backed by research. Most importantly, the delivery of the subject was personable, inspiring and has truly made a difference in my life."

Bob, Sr. Clinical Science Manager
Covina, CA, USA

"Weekly reflections and course blogs [have been my favorite part of the course] - getting feedback from other participants and especially the facilitators."

Donna, Compensation Consultant
Arvada, Colorado, USA

"The reading assignments [have been my favorite part of the course] - there is a great variety of different aspects of positive psychology and its application to life."

Lorinda, Management Analyst
Columbia, Missouri, USA

"In addition to its value in learning about the field of Positive Psychology, this course challenges you to think about how you can improve your own life. The weekly exercises provide both immediate guidance and longer-term pathways. It helped me overcome issues I have wrestled with for a long time. I strongly recommended it to any interested persons."

Michael, Retired
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

"Tal's lectures and the community chatterbox and bookmarks [have been my favorite part of the course]. Love the exchanges of information, ideas and further exploration."

Susan, Operations Manager
Larnaca, Cyprus

"Tal is an excellent lecturer and the time-ins are right on. They help to stimulate thought about the lectures and their relationship to your life."

Anne, Nurse Practitioner and Anesthetist
Chicago, Illinois, USA

"For me this course formed the basis of a significant paradigm shift in my life. It was valuable because I can use what I've learned in my own life and teach my clients some of it - I have already done it and it works wonders! The lectures were so interesting that my husband watched it with me. Since doing that even hem has made some amazing changes in his life. He almost gets mad if I watch the lectures without him. Another valuable thing about the course and the things I've learned is that it had an intellectual, physical, emotional, theoretical, etc impact on my life. I learned in all those, and many more areas. It addressed me as a whole consisting of many parts, and I loved that, and think that is why it's easier to make change. My whole person is involved in the changing process - the shift... I will really miss the course and the excitement associated with the anticipation of another lecture. Dr. Ben really has a gift for teaching and the way that he tends to self-disclose adds a lot of meaning to what he teaches. Thanks!"

Jana, Registered Psychologist
Saskatchewan, North Battleford, Canada

"It feels just like I am right there in class with the other students. I truly enjoy Tal's explanations and examples to better explain the material. It makes it so much easier to apply it to your own life."

Julie, Sr. Compensation & Benefits AnalystFull time student
Chicago, Illinois, USA

"Tal's lectures are very engaging. I also enjoy reading other student's blogs and discussions. I also value the time-ins and reflections. Very well rounded course."

Natasha, Student
Port of Spain, Trinidad

"The Discussion boards [have been my favorite part of the course] - I am getting a wealth of insights and information. The Facilitators are wonderful - they pose thought provoking questions and engage in the discussions. Excellent!"

Lynn, University Psychology Instructor
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

"Surprisingly, the time-in activities and reflections have been my favorite part of the course so far. Many times I'll complete one of these, and in the next lecture it seems as if the instructor just read what I wrote (which would not be possible since these are posted in my private blog and the lectures are not live). One seems to feed right into the other. The time-in spurs a thought, and the following lecture many times addresses that thought."

Debbie, Stay at Home Mom
St. Joseph, Missouri, USA

"I've thoroughly enjoyed and gained value from the lectures. The Time In activities as well as the reflections provided valuable learnings related to the materials covered in the lectures." 

Alexa, Author and Facilitator
Santa Barbara, California

"I feel like I am part of a class even though I am sitting at my computer... I will often participate when the time fits in around 3 busy kids and a full time job, when I do attend the course I feel like time is irrelevant."

Michele, Executive Coach and Facilitator
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

"Tal makes the academic world human by describing in entertaining and often surprising detail his personal journey of how he has lived and breathed every topic in the course - you can't help but learn this way."

Heidi, Organizational Psychologist
Melbourne, Australia

"Responses and comments from the three course facilitators [have been my favorite part of the course]; prompt,critical and informative."

Sarar, Lecturer in Psychology
Beirut, Lebanon

"I have enjoyed the Positive Psychology course very much. The lectures were riveting, the reading material fascinating, and the facilitators knowledgeable and approachable. The course offered content at both theoretical and applied levels. I feel that I received an excellent introduction to the field of positive psychology and have already incorporated many of the concrete strategies that were offered into my everyday life. Am I a happier person as a result? The answer is a resounding YES! Many Thanks to Professor Tal Ben Shahar and the facilitators."

Anita, Parent
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

"This experience was very valuable to me because this is a new and exciting topic. There are not too many resources available yet for Postive Psychology training, especally in my location. Online learning was a great format. I would definitely recommend this course to others because it was well-researched, fun to participate in, and I learned a lot. Since I was famailiar with most of the reserach that Tal referenced, I found that I could relate this material to other teachings from grad school. It kind of 'pulled it all together' for me."

Julie, Full Time Student
Tinley Park, IL, USA

"As many others have said, I found this course to be a life-changing event. Tal Ben-Shahar has the ability to engage and challenge me. The format of the course allowed me to readily focus on what interested me in the moment and, at the same time, know that I wasn't going to miss anything. I've found new direction in my life. Family and friends have taken the ride with me; I've encouraged them to think about taking the course too, because the content has meaning for anyone who wants to get the most out of their life."
 

Diana, Retired College Instructor of Early Childhood Education
Kaleden, B.C., Canada

"I really like this course. It was so much better than expected. I have recommended it to several clients, colleagues and friends. I have also used some of the content in my consulting practice."

Greg, Management Consultant for Construction Industry
Denver, Colorado, USA

"Surprised by how much I learnt on completing the Time-Ins and Reflective pieces - thought it would just be a 'tick box' exercises but it wasn't!"

Sue, Executive Coach and Facilitator
London, United Kingdom

I entered this course with some trepidation. The electronic format, the content and the size of the group were all new and quite overwhelming for me at first. What a fabulous, varied and supportive bunch of people from all over the world I turned out to be involved with. The course solidified my goals for me, kept me motivated through some tough times and is one of the best things I have ever done for myself. The unexpected outcome is that at 51 I intend to study Psychology full-time at University next year."

Macy
Sydney, Australia

"I have taken a lot of courses and training programs - college, university and personal growth. I have never been more engaged and/or inspired in a learning experience than this course. I think everyone should take this course, one way or another. What a more enjoyable journey life would be for all of us if we could all embrace the message in this program."

Denise, Executive Assistant to the Chairman
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

"This course with Dr. Tal Ben Shahar was the best I have taken in my academic career... undergrad, graduate, post grad (M.A.). His energy, authenticity, and enthusiasm for Positive Psychology as a tool for increased happiness, the ‘ultimate currency' is inspiring."

Maggie, Happiness Coach
Delray Beach, Florida, USA

"This experience was very valuable to me because this is a new and exciting topic. There are not too many resources available yet for Postive Psychology training, especally in my location. Online learning was a great format. I would definitely recommend this course to others because it was well-researched, fun to participate in, and I learned a lot. Since I was famailiar with most of the reserach that Tal referenced, I found that I could relate this material to other teachings from grad school. It kind of ‘pulled it all together' for me."

Julie, Sr. Compensation & Benefits Analyst
Tinley Park, IL, USA

"Perhaps an indication of how I feel about this course is that I have already recommended it to 3 people. The genuine, passionate way I am speaking about it is inspiring others to learn more. I am so greatful to Tal Ben Shahar for this gift. That is the only way I can describe it. The course truly bridges the Ivory Tower with Main Street. I like to understand why I am doing something before implementing change. This course was valuable to me because for example it taught me how essential it is to have rituals. I have learned the research backing it up and I have already seen the difference in my life.

Tal Ben-Shahar needs to add one more ‘Happiness Tip': take this course! I would find myself racing through my work day so that I could get online at night (sometimes till 1 in the morning) to ‘go to class.' Just taking the course has not only made me happier , but has changed my life by giving me practical tools and I can't wait to take an assessment one year from now. It is not one of those self-help seminars where motivation fades 24 hours after the event. This academic course is a perfect combination of research to satisfy the brain, stories to warm the heart, and hope to inspire committed action!"

Carmel, Entrepreneur
New York, NY, USA

"Tal Ben-Shahar states at the start of the course that it is life changing. It is. The course provides a broad view of the field of Positive Psychology but more than this enables and engages participants to take and apply into their lives behaviours and rituals which increase optimism and improve relationships and happiness."

Geoffrey, Company Founder and Chief Executive Officer
New South Wales, Australia

"Tal came alive in virtual format making it seem as if he was speaking directly to me. Together with readings, journaling and social learning and networking, I felt as if I actually were attending a full semester course."

Barry, Executive Coach and Facilitator
Ridgewood, NJ, USA

"This was certainly the best on line learning experience I have participated in. The quality of the the video lectures; access to supporting literature; opportunity to participate in discussion forums; the reflective learning activities provided a very rich learning experience. I have really benefited from the course content - it has reinforced and refreshed my commitment to personal happiness. Thank you - I'm going to miss 'tuning in'."

Debbie, Consultant on Organizational Change and Development
Queensland, Brisbane, Australia