DukeEngage | Duke Center for Civic Engagement

photo by Eric Van Danen

Stephanie Tepperberg is pairing her passion for environmental activism and advocacy with a unique DukeEngage experience that took eight students this summer to Portland, Oregon.  Below she explains what drew her to this specific realm of civic engagement and how she hopes to apply what she's learned and accomplished to the Duke and surrounding community upon her return to campus this fall.

1.  What drew you to this particular program or project?

I was hoping, as I reviewed the 2009 DukeEngage projects, that there would be at least one program that reflected my interests in environmental, community fieldwork.  To my delight, I discovered many hopeful projects, but the one in Portland, Oregon piqued my interest the most.  The Portland program seemed like the perfect opportunity to participate in a unique, community action-based DukeEngage experience, while still being able to gain professional skills in the environmental field and experience an amazing city. 

2.  What excited you about working with your community partner?

Recently, I have been trying to narrow my interests in the environmental field to one focus that I may pursue throughout the remainder of my major.  Ultimately, I have decided on environmental urban planning and development, and in this way I am incredibly excited to be working with the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, a non-profit organization that works to improve the transportation system throughout the state of Oregon and advocates for a more "green," urban lifestyle.  I'm enjoying learning about the legislation, marketing, and campaign skills needed to exert such change in a community. 

3.  What benefit do you hope your service will have for your community partner and your host community?

Throughout my time in Portland, I am working closely with the Safe Routes to School Program and upcoming National Conference sponsored by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance.  In this respect, I hope that I am making a significant
and meaningful contribution to the planning and organization of this Conference, as well as connecting and making a difference, through the program, in the city.

4.  How do you hope to put into action what you learned through your DukeEngage experience once back at Duke?

Upon my return to Duke and Durham, I hope to take the skills I have learned from my experience at the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, as well as what I have observed from the city of Portland, and apply that information to improve campus and the city of Durham.  Hopefully, either through an independent study or as a separate community or school-wide project, I will be able to benefit Duke and the Durham community by advocating for a more bike friendly city or promoting the benefits of public transportation.  I may start by presenting my thoughts and ideas to the Environmental Alliance at Duke and work from there to create a “greener” and more eco-friendly environment in which to study and live. 

DukeEngage is featuring 18 students over the course of the summer participating in both group programs and independent projects.  Check back weekly to view the latest student profile.

photo by Eric Van Danen

Molly Belkin joined seven other Duke students volunteering with organizations in Ho Chi Minh City focused on work with children's issues, the environment, and teaching ESL.  She describes below what compelled her to get involved in this diverse DukeEngage experience.

1.  What drew you to this particular program or project?

I was drawn to this program because it was one of the few that focused on children’s issues.  For the first part of the program, I will be working at a shelter for young girls.  During the last four weeks, I will be traveling with my group to Ben Tre Province where we will be working with the Vietnamese Youth League’s Green Summer Campaign.  This program appealed to me because I will be able to work with children, as well as collaborate with Vietnamese students similar in age to myself. 

2.  What excited you about working with your community partner?
I was really excited about working with both of my community partners because they are so different.  At the Little Rose Shelter, I had the opportunity to work with young children and adults, while the second half of my program is exposing me to a national movement that was started and is maintained by Vietnamese university students. 

3.  What benefit do you hope your service will have for your community partner and your host community?

I hope that my service benefits my host communities in providing a new and different perspective. While it would be great if my service left tangible and sustainable improvements, I know that this is not necessarily going to happen.  My only wish is that my participation has allowed for collaboration across culture and language barriers.

4.  How do you hope to put into action what you learned through your DukeEngage experience once back at Duke?  

I plan to continue doing community service in Durham during my remaining years at Duke.  I am certain that my experiences in Vietnam will enhance my understanding of children with different backgrounds than my own and my ability to help them.  I also think that the experience of interacting and understanding people of different cultures--but with the same fundamental needs--will help me foster a more compassionate and knowledgeable world perspective. 
 

Throughout the summer, DukeEngage is featuring 18 students participating in both group programs and independent projects.  Check back weekly to view the latest student profile.