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View a recording of our virtual info session to learn more about applying for DukeEngage and to hear from alums about their DukeEngage experiences!

Additionally, check out our webinar with New Student and Family Programs below:

DukeEngage Days took place from October 9 to October 26, 2023. Events featured 45-minute presentations by program leaders, followed by a Q&A. Program alumni also shared their experiences.

2023 DukeEngage Days Schedule

Monday, October 9

• 5:00 – NEW: A holistic approach to health and education in a rural community (India-Bengaluru) – Zoom link
• 6:00 – NEW: Brodhead DukeEngage Program: Finding health in the City of Medicine (Durham, NC) – Classroom Bldg 114

Tuesday, October 10

• 5:00 – Equipping the underserved for financial independence in Western India (India–Ahmedabad) – Zoom link

Wednesday, October 11

• 5:00 – Democracy at Risk (Washington, DC) – Classroom Building 114

Thursday, October 12

• 5:00 – NEW: Brodhead DukeEngage Program: Finding health in the City of Medicine (Durham, NC) – Zoom link
• 6:00 – Mitigating health risks and environmental damage through education (Ghana) – 139 Hudson Hall
• 7:00 – Supporting education and social integration of migrant and refugee youth (Korea) – Languages 109

Wednesday, October 18

• 5:00 – Addressing social inequities by advocating for children and families (Boston, MA) – West Duke 212
• 6:00 – Empowering girls through STEM education (Orange County, CA) – Zoom link
• 7:00 – Connecting Hip-Hop to community activism (Chicago, IL) – Zoom link

Thursday, October 19

• 5:00 – NEW: Youth Empowerment and Community Engagement through Art, Culture and Education (Brazil – Bahia) – Friedl 204

• 6:00 – Designing engineering solutions for low-income healthcare delivery (Uganda – Kampala) – Engineering Design POD, B-110, LSRC
• 7:00 – Contributing to national science and tech policy (Washington, DC) – Zoom link

Sunday, October 22

• 5:00 – NEW: Brodhead DukeEngage Program: Finding health in the City of Medicine (Durham, NC) – Zoom link
• 6:00 – Addressing social inequities by advocating for children and families (Boston, MA) – Zoom link

Monday, October 23

• 5:00 – NEW: Educational enrichment, digital learning, and documenting the trans-Atlantic slave trade (Senegal) –  Zoom link
• 6:00 – Boosting rural communities’ access to English and technology (Oman) – Griffith Board Room AND Zoom link

Tuesday, October 24

• 5:00 – NEW: Climate change, health, and resilience for food security and agritourism (Puerto Rico) – Zoom link

Wednesday, October 25

• 5:00 – Researching the potential for sustainable development and growth (Brazil – Foz do Iguaçu) – Gross Hall 100C

• 6:00 – Enhancing youth culture in remote areas (Togo) – Friedl 204
• 7:00 – Promoting social and legal justice in immigrant communities (Miami, FL) – Zoom link

Thursday, October 26

• 5:00 – Migration, immigration, and asylum after apartheid (South Africa) – Classroom Building 125
• 6:00 – Democratizing educational and technological opportunities (Jordan) – Zoom link

We would love to talk with you!

Email DukeEngage@duke.edu with any advising questions, or to set up a time to talk.

We’re ready to help with questions like…

• What’s the difference between program A and program B? I can’t decide which to apply for.
• I’m not sure if I’m eligible.
• I [or my family] have safety concerns.
• I’m not sure how to answer this application question.
• I have a question about the registration requirements. My situation is unique.
• What’s the commitment during the spring semester? Can you tell me more about the DukeEngage Academy?

We can connect you with DukeEngage guiDEs (student leaders) to answer questions like…

• What did you want to get out of DukeEngage? Did you use DukeEngage to fulfill any curricular requirements?
• How did you decide which program to apply for? Did you talk with the program director before applying?
• How did you approach the application?
• What was your experience like? What was hard? What was fun?

Other sources of advice:

• FAQs on this page and on our Applying and Preparing pages
• DukeEngage Program Directors (contacts listed on each program page) are happy to answer questions about their own programs – e.g., What is a typical day like? How will I know which organization I’m working with? How would my [race/gender/sexual orientation/disability/health issue/allergy/religion] impact my participation in this program? I’m not sure if my language level is good enough. (And just for fun, here’s a glimpse of why DukeEngage is near and dear to their hearts.)
• Trinity College Global, Civic, and Cross-Disciplinary Advisors can help you discover other programs and opportunities at Duke, decide whether this is the right year for you to apply, and discuss how to fit several programs into your four years at Duke.
• Academic departments can answer questions about whether a specific DukeEngage program will fulfill a curricular requirement.

Yes. DukeEngage funds all program-related expenses, including…

• Transportation to and from the program location
• Required vaccines and recommended prescription medications, if needed
• Visas, if needed
• Lodging and meals during DukeEngage*
• Transportation and fees for all official program activities

In addition, if you participate in DukeEngage, the Financial Aid office will waive your expected “student contribution” and replace it with grant aid during the following academic year.

DukeEngage does not cover the following:

• Obtaining or updating a passport
• Ground transportation to the originating airport
• Privately purchased travel insurance, if needed
• Personal medical expenses
• Personal activity that falls outside the DukeEngage program

DukeEngage participants are not allowed to receive funding from other sources for their DukeEngage experience.

* Lodging will be booked by DukeEngage and will be modest (in most programs, roughly the equivalent of a dorm). Most participants have access to kitchen facilities, shop for groceries, and prepare their own meals. Meals are usually covered via a stipend, tailored to the specific needs and cost of living for each program site.

Any full-time, degree-seeking Duke student who meets the following requirements is eligible to participate:

• Has completed at least two semesters at Duke
• Will be on active status and in good standing at Duke during the summer of participation
• Will spend at least one more semester enrolled at Duke after the DukeEngage experience

Recipients of Duke’s merit scholarships are generally eligible to participate in DukeEngage. Contact the OUSF office or your scholarship director to confirm.

Students on academic or disciplinary probation during the time of a program, seniors graduating in the spring, and DKU students are not eligible to participate in DukeEngage.

Historically, approximately 25% of DukeEngage participants are rising sophomores, 50% are rising juniors, and 25% are rising seniors.

No overall preference is given to upperclassmen, and most program directors want a diverse team.

Accepted students must agree to complete all mandatory pre-program requirements during the spring semester and prior to DukeEngage:

• Registration (submitting all requirements by the stated deadlines)
• Program-specific orientation sessions (these are held at the discretion of the program director, with most programs offering two sessions)
• Fortin Foundation Academy (a series of seminars on a Saturday in April, plus a spring convocation)
• Training on interacting with minors, and a criminal background check (if applicable to your program)
• Pre-program reflection survey
• Any additional requirements specified by your program director or by DukeEngage

If accepted, you will be expected to:

• Be present and participate for the entire duration of the program (as defined by your program’s published dates)
• Commit to full-time work with your community partner (without pay)
• Participate in reflection and cultural enrichment activities scheduled by your program leaders, including for example regular check-ins, structured reflection sessions, blogging, and community building activities
• Commit to maintaining behavioral standards established by DukeEngage, starting with the Duke Community Standard

DukeEngage participants are expected to:

• Complete a post-program survey by the established deadline
• Attend a fall reunion/reflection meeting organized by their program director, if applicable
• Participate in the Fortin Foundation DukeEngage student reunion in September