Duke students are always looking for new ways to get involved on campus – but have you considered branching out into the town of Durham instead? Sure, occasionally catching a show at the DPAC or grabbing a dinner at Bull City Burger provides a peek into the dynamic town of Durham, but there are better ways to feel less like a tourist and more like a part of the Durham community. After all, we will be living here for four years, so why not get a little more involved with the people and places like you would at home? So whether you’re a freshman exploring the Bull City for the first time, or an upperclassman trying to break out of the Duke bubble, read on for some great opportunities to get to know Durham a little better.
1. Volunteer. Volunteering is probably the most popular way for students to get involved in Durham. Duke has tons of organizations that provide opportunities for everything from tutoring to helping out at animal shelters and nursing homes. Not only will you make a small but noticeable difference in our community, you’ll also get to personally know some Durham residents with amazing stories to share! Check out dukegroups.com or dPS (Duke Partnership for Service) to find a group that interests you!
2. Service learning courses. Service learning courses provide volunteering opportunities through academic classes. This is a great opportunity for those of you who might be too busy with school to volunteer, or would like to utilize academic knowledge and apply it to real life! Courses are available in practically any discipline you can imagine – documentary studies students can create a photo essay about one of Durham’s public schools, education minors can tutor in local schools, and, yes, even Prattstars can join in the fun by designing devices to aid people with disabilities. Go to http://servicelearning.duke.edu/ to read more – classes for next fall aren’t up yet, but you can look through previous years to get an idea of all the cool courses that are offered!
3. Get a job. There comes a point in every college student’s life when we realize, quite simply, that we’re broke. Food points only go so far, and we could all use some “real” cash for trips to Durham’s unbelievably delicious restaurants, not to mention late night cab rides to Shooters. That means it’s time to get a job! And while on-campus jobs might be more convenient, an off-campus job could also be a great opportunity. Durham offers a more diverse selection of jobs than you’ll find on campus, and you’ll get to spend time with cool people from around the community. A helpful resource specifically for Duke students is http://dukelist.duke.edu/, which includes a section for off-campus employment. You can also find jobs by doing a little research of your own online, or even by just asking around at your favorite stores and restaurants!