Get Involved
Now that you're back, and beginning to get into the day-to-day happenings on campus, you want to make use of what you learned as a study abroad student. There are a number of ways to do that.
Take a class. For those with Spanish language skills, the Romance Studies Department offers service learning Spanish courses each semester, in which classroom and real life experiences with the language are combined.
The Global Education Student Committee. The GESC is a group of students, just like you, who studied abroad and want both to promote the fabulous time they had to new students and keep students currently abroad up to date with Duke events. Check with the Global Education Office, or email Alex Safrit (ajs38@duke.edu) or Snayha Nath (snayha.nath@duke.edu) for more information on getting involved. There is also a DukeGroups for this organization. You can find further information at http://www.studentaffairs.duke.edu/osaf/student-organizations
The Duke Global Education Fair. Annually in mid- to late September, the Global Education Office hosts Duke's Global Education Fair. Along with representatives from Duke-approved programs, and faculty from Duke's own programs, returned students are invited to "person" the tables to answer questions and give information about the various programs and universities where they studied. If you would be willing to do this, please contact the Global Education Office early in the fall semester.
Postcards From Abroad. In 2006, the Global Education Office launched an electronic postcard campaign to collect impressions of the Duke community abroad. Dozens of students, faculty, and alumni have submitted 'postcards' about their experiences abroad, all of which appear on this site. We invite you to submit your own 'postcard' to let others know what your study abroad experience meant to you - you don't even need a stamp!
International House. The International House (on Campus Drive) sponsors many activities for international students and their families at Duke. Many of these activities offer a chance for you to socialize with students from the country where you studied, and keep up your foreign language skills.
Volunteer and civic engagement. In 2007, Duke launched DukeEngage, designed to facilitate the participation of students in civic engagement activities at local, national, and international levels. As the program grows and expands, opportunities for undergraduates wishing to spend time in community service abroad will increase as well. For several years, Pratt has organized Engineers Without Borders work teams to use engineering skills to improve daily life for far away communities. There are numerous other opportunities available through Duke and beyond that will expand your experiences abroad beyond the textbook and into the real world.
In addition to these very active ways, you can also keep up with events in your host country by reading newspapers and magazines in the library, reading web pages from that country, going to foreign films on campus and in the Triangle, and eating at local ethnic restaurants. Keep your eyes open to any and all opportunities that arise.
The following handouts list resources for additional ways you can stay involved once you are back on campus.
