One of the great things about Duke is the opportunity to study abroad in just about any place that has two people and a hut.
Students who want to get out and see the real world, broaden their horizons and find out first hand the unique traits of a foreign land but who dread the logistics of international study now have another option: Hollywood.
For anybody who ever thought about working in the entertainment industry, the Duke in Los Angeles Program in Media Arts and Industries is worth serious consideration.
A four-course interdisciplinary program offered for the spring semester, the annual program lets students get a taste of life in Los Angeles while learning the ins and outs of its chief industries. Students spend time interning at companies based in California, including the American Film Institute, Columbia Pictures, CNN America, E! Networks, Entertainment Tonight, NBC Entertainment, New Line Cinema and even The Tyra Banks Show.
The media internship functions as a one-credit course at Duke. In addition to the internship, students take a one credit seminar on the United States culture industries. Students also take a half-credit seminar for seven weeks of the semester. The remaining credits come from University of Souther California courses that range anywhere from screenwriting to basic production to costume makeup.
"I had never been out to Los Angeles and I thought that if I wanted to work there after graduating, I would need to know my way around a little bit and make some contacts with people in the business out there," said senior Ben Zisk, who participated in the Spring 2007 program.
"Everyone I met was really nice and I still keep in touch with several people from my internship and University of Southern California classes. I don't know what I'm going to do after I graduate, but I would definitely like to live in L.A. again sometime soon."
The benefits for students who participate in this program are manifold, said Jim Thompson, the head faculty member of Duke in L.A.
"It's the best of both worlds-the reputation of Duke and the experience of Los Angeles and USC courses," he said. "The contact potential out here is enormous."
A practicing attorney and participant in the program since 1999, Thompson will visit Duke in late October to meet with students interested in the program.
But with a program based in Los Angeles, a city of glamor, fun and beaches, just how much work is involved?
"This is an academic program, definitely, despite its location," said Carolyn Leith, staff assistant in Film/Video/Digital. "It's like any other experience, the more you pour into it the more you get out of it. One of the most valuable things is learning what LA is like and making contacts there."
Application deadline for Duke in Los Angeles Program in Media Arts and Industries is Sept. 30.
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