Bulldogs In The Big Easy

It’s a Bulldog Invasion!

Yale students are interning all over the city of New Orleans. Home base is Tulane University’s Aron Residences, centrally located by two streetcar lines and within walking distance from the restaurants, bars and music venues of the Uptown district.

The Aron Residences

The inaugural year of the Bulldogs in the Big Easy program

brought 24 Yale students to New Orleans to work for the most exciting non-profit organizations in the city. Taken from the model of Bulldogs Across America, BITBE houses all interns together and creates programs for them in association with the Yale Club of Louisiana, and also provides each student with a New Orleans-based mentor. Sponsored housing and support from the Yale Club has ensured BITBE’s success in its first summer and opened doors for expanding the program in the future: planned additions include creating even more enticing and fair internship opportunities by providing living stipends for interns, and maintaining a budget for additional orientations and cultural programming. One does not need to be convinced of the dire need in New Orleans for intelligent and innovative minds to engage in the rebuilding process, and it is our hope that continued support from the Yale Club and the city of New Orleans will attract future students to non-profit work in New Orleans and create advocates for the city once their summers conclude.

FACTS ABOUT BITBE •In 2008, 17 companies offered unique internship positions, with at least 5 new organizations lined up for the summer of 2009 •The program has attracted Yalies from all over the country in a wide variety of programs of study, including English, American Studies, Environment Studies, Political Science, Philosophy, Psychology, Theater, Sociology, Applied Mathematics and Art. •Tulane’s Aron Residences are fully furnished apartments with 3-5 single bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a kitchen with dishwasher. All rooms have internet access. Amenities within one block of Aron include the Tulane Student Center, a parking garage, and the Reily Sports Center with an indoor track and swimming pools. •Bulldogs events for the summer of 2008 included a party at the New Orleans School of Glassworks, a Wetlands tour, a city tour led by Tulane Professor Rich Campanella, a Service Project Day with a Tulane service group, introductory and Fourth of July BBQs, weekly dinners, and a free concert series.