What is it?

NDBridge is a summer immersion where rising sophomores think hard about injustice, work with communities around the world that face it, and consider their responsibility to the common good while at Notre Dame and beyond.

Students selected to participate in NDBridge will enroll in a course focused on understanding the challenges marginalized communities face and providing a framework for encountering people in those communities. It will develop awareness of what justice looks like, examine how systemic injustice is created and perpetuated, and ask participants to consider responsibility when faced with injustice wherever it occurs. The course serves as preparation for an 8-week summer immersion.

Nuts and bolts

Immersion Dates: June 5–July 28, 2023

Course Credit and Times: NDBridge is a 1-credit S/U course that will meet Tuesday evenings from 5:00–6:30 p.m. in Geddes Hall. Departmental approval will given in January to students selected for the program.

Financial Information: All travel, food, and housing expenses will be covered. In addition, students will also receive $2,500. 

Housing: Students will live together in pods of four, a model that fosters the support of intentional community. Students will live either on site or close enough to walk or take public transportation to their work site (i.e., no cars needed).

Application Window: Last chance to apply! Spots filling up! Offers made first part of January, 2023.

Sites

Search and filter sites by category and location on the site spreadsheet or Tableau site map. 

Site details

You can also review detailed information about each site and position descriptions in the 2023 NDBridge site description folder. Note that site information may change.

Testimonials from past summer engagement students

“I learned the importance of experience in empathy—that walking with another person in their struggles is necessary before you can understand what they are going through.”

– Sarah Petersen

When confronting deeply rooted socio-economic issues that feel entirely too critical, intricate, and arduous to surmount, the foremost task is to focus energy on building trusting relationships with the community—being there, with them.”

– Joshua von Werder

“I learned that we should all share a responsibility to fight for the human dignity of every person; together, we can heal and create a world that cares for every person, regardless of their background or circumstance.”

– Sisy Chen

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to add the one-credit class now? 

No, if you are offered a spot in the program, you will be given departmental approval to add the class later in January. 

Will I have to pay for travel from my $2,500?

No, all travel, housing, and food will be paid for. You will also receive $2,500.

Will I get my first choice of site?

It depends on interest in the site and attributes that would benefit the site and you. The best approach is to stay open to other possibilities if the first preference doesn’t work out or if our staff recommends another site.

Do I need to create a resume if I don’t have one?

No. The application provides space to spell out your interests, skills, and experience, which are the qualifications we are looking at.

What about safety?

The University of Notre Dame and the Center for Social Concerns are committed to student safety. Each organization has safety guidelines in place, and students will receive a rigorous orientation about their site, city, country, living arrangements, etc. There will also be a faculty member assigned to each pod of students who will check in on a regular basis. In addition, Center for Social Concerns staff can be contacted 24/7 throughout the immersion.

What will I do at my site?

Each site has a specific description linked to it. Site descriptions may change as roles develop and needs at the site change. You can find all of the site descriptions here.

What will the class be like? 

The NDBridge one-credit S/U class will prepare you to encounter others in ways that celebrate human dignity and respectfully pursue the common good in your local community or across the world. We will cover self awareness, cultural humility, and solidarity. We will examine systemic injustice—how to identify it and how one might respond to it. 

What if I change my mind about my site preferences?

You can change your mind about site preferences during the interview process and will be given opportunities to confirm your site preferences later in the selection process.

Stay in touch

Please fill out this form for email updates (you can unsubscribe any time), or follow us on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.

If you have questions or want to make an appointment to speak with one of the program directors, email ndbridge@nd.edu.