Since as early as 1997, Duke has been offering alternative break options, typically in the form of service trips. This fall, Duke is offering three different programs for students to develop leadership skills and engage in a variety of different communities.
Common Ground
One of the most popular fall break opportunities is Common Ground, a four-day retreat organized by Center for Race Relations that brings together more than 50 students from different backgrounds. The goal of the trip is to “promote respect and understanding of diverse perspectives” and engage in conversations about personal identity, according to the Common Ground website.
“Common Ground was an eye-opening and humbling experience where I learned a lot from my peers and their experiences.” said sophomore Wesley Horng.
UCAE Trip to Charlotte: Homelessness and Education Projects
The UCAE Center for Leadership Development and Social Action is also hosting a trip to Charlotte for students to engage with projects focused on homelessness and education.
Women’s Center Trip to Apopka, Florida: Experiences of Immigrant Women
The Women’s Center and Baldwin Scholars have co-sponsored a trip to low-income, immigrant farmworker communities in Florida to explore the narratives of women in these communities. Program participants will enter family home-stays, attend a local women’s conference, and volunteer with the HOPE CommUnity Center, a local community-based organization that provides basic needs and promotes self-efficacy for immigrant worker families. This trip will expose students to people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds while encouraging self-reflection, which will challenge them to view service-learning and social change from a new perspective.
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