Frequently Asked Questions:
On-Demand Courses

Choosing a Course         
Enrolling in a Course         
Accessing Your Course         
During Your Course         
Contact Us         

Choosing a Course

How do Atlas Obscura On-Demand Courses differ from your Live Courses?

Our On-Demand Courses are designed so students can learn at their own pace with a guided structure that facilitates independent learning. Students can access their course(s) 24/7 for a year, and can compare notes, share projects, and make connections with other students through the course community forum. By contrast, our Live Courses allow participants to engage with instructors and fellow students live on-screen for an immersive and interactive learning experience. You can learn more about Live Courses and browse our current offerings here and see answers to frequently asked questions about Live Courses here.

How long will I have access to the course?

You’ll have access to your on-demand course for one (1) year from purchase.

Enrolling in a Course

Can I preview the syllabus and overview of a course before committing to purchasing it?

You’ll be able to see what’s included in your course purchase by selecting a course on our Atlas Obscura On-Demand Courses page. Here you will find key course information such as the course overview, concepts covered, the total hours of video instruction, information about your instructor, recommended materials, and additional related resources. 

What's your refund policy?

Purchases are final and nonrefundable for all On-Demand Courses. ​​Not satisfied with your course? Let us know within one week of purchase and we'll give you a full refund.

Can I purchase an On-Demand Course as a gift for someone else?

Yes! Please reach out to experiences@atlasobscura.com and we’ll get you set up.

There's a topic I want to learn about, but you’re not offering a course on it. What should I do?

Send us an email at experiences@atlasobscura.com! We're always working on new courses, and some of the best ideas come from the Atlas Obscura community. If we're working on a new course that might fit your interests, we'll let you know. We also recommend that you sign up for our Atlas Obscura Courses newsletter here, where we frequently announce new courses.

I am interested in a live course, but would prefer to take it on-demand. Will additional courses be offered soon in this format?

Yes! We hope to offer more soon. Keep an eye out for more on-demand courses published on our site in the future and sign up for our Online Experiences newsletter here, where we frequently announce new courses.

Accessing Your Course

How do I access my course?

You’ll be able to access your course through the Atlas Obscura On-Demand Courses page, where you’ll sign up and create a profile that will give you access to everything you’ll need for your course. Once enrolled, you’ll have immediate access to your course. After completing your purchase, you can click the “Start Learning” button on the Thank You page to begin. To return to your course at a future date or view all your purchased Atlas Obscura On-Demand Courses, you can click the link in your confirmation email or sign in and navigate to your profile using the menu at the top of the page.

I did not receive a confirmation email after purchase or have not received any emails pertaining to this course.

We’re sorry these emails have not reached you! Please reach out to us at experiences@atlasobscura.com and we’ll get these messages re-sent to your email. To ensure that you receive all future communication from us about your course, please double-check that the email address you entered when registering via courses.atlasobscura.com is the address you’d like emails to be sent to. Occasionally, emails from us can end up in spam, so be sure to check your spam folder. If you’re still not receiving the emails you need, please reach out to us so we can get you caught up.

During Your Course

Will I be able to interact with my instructor directly if I have questions, comments, or reflections?

While you won’t be able to communicate directly with your instructor, you’ll have the opportunity to pose questions to, compare notes with, and respond to other enrolled students via our course community forum. Please take a moment to review our community guidelines for students, for students, which aim to set the tone for our learning community. Other questions can be directed to experiences@atlasobscura.com. 

What accessibility features do you offer?

We provide closed captioning for all of our courses, as well as transcripts upon request. Please reach out to us at experiences@atlasobscura.com if you have any questions, requests, or access needs.

Contact Us

I have a question you haven’t answered. How can I get help?

If you can't find what you're looking for here or on our general FAQ page, please get in touch via email at experiences@atlasobscura.com. We’re available to assist Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m (ET). We'd love to hear from you!