The Duke Refugee Advocacy Program takes a three-pronged approach to working with adult refugees in the Durham community. Through collaboration with Church World Service (CWS), students will participate in community work directly with refugees on a weekly basis, either assisting a partner with English conversation practice, or by teaching digital literacy skills to a number of clients. Students will be provided conversation prompts, digital literacy curriculum, and lesson plans, as well as training in how to work with English Language Learners.
In addition to regular community work with CWS clients, volunteers will learn about policy issues in immigration, workforce development, education, housing, and youth development that affect refugee communities at the city, state, and national level. Students will listen to refugee leaders and work to advocate for positive change in our communities.
Throughout the two-semester program, students will be provided training and workshops from guest speakers about best practices for working with English Language Learners and diverse communities. Students will also be given multiple opportunities to reflect on their experience, both with other participants and individually, to understand their role in the work more deeply.
Internship Details
- Attend mandatory one-day DRAP Retreat in September
- Meet once a week with a refugee partner, either in person or virtually
- Complete required case notes after weekly meetings with partner
- Meet twice a month in person with program director and other interns for regular reflection, training, and advocacy efforts
- Complete program reflections and evaluation surveys
- Applicants must be current Duke University undergraduate students.
- Preference will be given to Human Rights Certificate students, Student Advisory Board members, and former Citizenship Lab participants.
- Applicants must be able to regularly meet all program requirements for both the fall and spring semesters.
- Applications open on February 19, 2024.
- Applicants should submit a complete program application by 11:59 pm on April 14, 2024.
- All applications will be reviewed by the selection committee between April 14-19, 2024.
- All applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision on April 22, 2024.
- Each internship cohort is limited to 18 participants.