Are you a current first year student? Then NDBridge may be for you!

NDBridge is a one-credit course and an eight-week summer immersion where students 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 for the program take a course in the spring semester of their first year which focuses on understanding the challenges marginalized communities face, and provides a framework for encountering people in those communities. The course, in addition to orientation sessions, develops an awareness of what justice looks like, examines how systemic injustice is created and perpetuated, and asks students to consider their responsibility to promote justice and the common good. 

Please fill out this form to be notified of updates to the application process, site locations, and categories for NDBridge. The application will open in late fall.

Not a first year student, but still want a summer immersion? Then check out our the CSC Summer Fellowships!

The Details

Immersion Dates: June–July 2024 (specific dates coming soon)

Course Credit and Times: NDBridge is a 1-credit S/U Spring semester course that will take place on Mondays, 6:00–8:00pm (late February – early May)

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

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

Sites: Sites for 2024 will be confirmed soon. For a list of 2023 sites, please see these links – site spreadsheet or Tableau site map. 

Testimonials from 2023 NDBridge students:

“This has honestly been the best experience I’ve ever had in my life. Sitting in my living room back at home right now and trying to reflect on everything that happened in the past two months almost feels like a dream—it is definitely surreal. If I had the chance to go back and do it all over again, I would.”

“Thank you so much! I will be recommending this to the incoming freshmen for next summer!”

“Thank you for giving me this incredible and unique opportunity! I know I will never stop talking about it for the rest of my life as it has formed me so much as a person already. I can only hope that I gave more than I took in while at my site.”

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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