DukeEngageDetroit
  • Program
  • Community Partners
  • Student Blog
  • Program Highlights
  • Learn About Detroit
  • Past Projects

Liza O'Connor- Week 7 Entry

7/27/2015

1 Comment

 
Though I've found myself falling into an inevitable routine in Detroit, my days are constantly filled with excitement, adventure, and laughter. There's always new sights to see, people to meet, and work to be done. On a typical workday, I snooze my alarm a couple of times before finally getting up to start my day. After getting ready and attempting to quickly eat breakfast, I' meet David, Shelby, Chris, Ben, and Divya downstairs to make the mile-long bike ride to work. 
Picture
TechTown, my place of work
When David and I arrive at TechTown, we lock up our bikes, grab some coffee, and put our lunches in the fridge. We then get to work on the day's tasks, which include editing our videos, scheduling interviews, and compiling feedback. On Tuesday and Friday mornings, we attend the DTX Launch Detroit summer accelerator program with eleven student teams from the state of Michigan. We hear them pitch their startups and new data from customer discovery interviews every Tuesday morning. It is always entertaining to hear them get criticized and critiqued by their tough coaches Viktor and Gerry. After that, we listen to a lesson on one key topic of entrepreneurship such as marketing, finance, pitching, or supply chain management. On Fridays, a panel of experts comes to talk to the students about the corresponding topic. This has been a great way to meet interesting people from the Detroit area and hear their unique stories.
Picture
A DTX Launch Detroit team presenting
At lunchtime, David and I head over to New Center Park where we meet up with Ben, Divya, Chris, and Shelby. We catch up on how our mornings are going and enjoy the sunshine before returning to work at TechTown. Back at work, we continue completing any tasks we have for the day until it's time to leave at 4:30.
Picture
My post-work activities vary greatly depending on the day of the week, weather, and my mood. I usually try to get out of the apartment and explore all Detroit has to offer. When we don't have enrichment activities or group dinners, I usually try to recruit people to go on bike rides with me. I've become quite fond of my little blue bike and will be sad to leave it in Detroit!
Picture
Detroit's summer climate is perfect for outdoor activities, and the riverfront area is absolutely gorgeous. Belle Isle, an island park only six miles away from our apartment, boasts spectacular views of the Detroit skyline and features a comfortable bike path around its perimeter. I've enjoyed visiting the island many times and taking advantage of the beautiful weather. On my bike rides, I've gotten to see some of Detroit's amazing architecture. St. Anne's Church, the second-oldest operating Catholic church in the nation, is just one of the many beautiful buildings in the city. 
Picture
The historic St. Anne's church
Of course, I've also spent a lot of the time in my apartment, talking to my roommates, cooking, and catching up on the news. It has been so nice getting to know this amazing group of people and I know we will remain friends long after we leave Detroit. Whether we are out adventuring, or just sitting on the couch watching a movie and eating cookie dough, I've enjoyed every moment with them and am thankful for everything I have learned from them.
Picture
As my time in Detroit comes to an end, I am sad to leave this beautiful city but also excited to go home and spread the message that Detroit is not the scary, ruined place it is portrayed as. I'm also excited to use everything I've learned here in my academic and extracurricular work. And who knows- maybe I'll be back next summer.
Picture
1 Comment
Katherine
7/30/2015 02:28:39 pm

so excited to see all that you accomplish, Liza!! :)

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    July 2022
    June 2022
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    July 2019
    June 2019
    July 2018
    June 2018
    July 2017
    June 2017
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    July 2015
    June 2015
    July 2014
    June 2014

    Categories

    All
    Coffee And (____)
    Detroit Culture
    Gentrification
    Heidelberg Project
    Social Enterprises
    Social Enterprises
    TechTown

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.