Exploring the Community

Volunteering is a great way to hone your English abilities outside the academic environment, share your culture with other residents of Omaha, and learn about philanthropy as a major component of U.S. culture. Some scholarship students may also be required to complete service hours as a condition of their awards. Omaha has many rewarding volunteer opportunities, including:

• Durham Museum
• Habitat for Humanity of Omaha
• Omaha Community Playhouse
• The Salvation Army
• Open Door Mission

Many international students also participate in UNO's Three Days of Service each October and the Seven Days of Service during spring break in March. For more on these events, check out UNO's Service Learning Academy.

The International Student Advising office can help you find volunteer opportunities and record your service for reporting to scholarship sponsors. Contact Advisor Gina Johanningsmeier, 1.402.554.2293, rjohanningsmeie@unomaha.edu.

For music lovers:

• Sokol Underground: Punk, indie rock, and more.
• Waiting Room Lounge: Indie rock, local and national bands, shows every week.
• The Slowdown: Named in honor of the forerunner to Cursive, the biggest label with Saddle Creek Records.
• The Holland Performing Arts Center: Draws world-class performers in all genres, classical to rock.

For outdoor enthusiasts:

• City of Omaha Parks: Trails, pools, picnic spots, frisbee golf, and more.
• Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources: Hiking, biking, boating, and more.

For food connoisseurs:

• Omavore dining blog: Reviews of Omaha's best food, not just the most expensive.

For sports fans:

• CenturyLink Center: The venue for UNO Maverick Hockey games, the Olympic Swim Trials, and many other events. World-famous music performances, too.
• TD Ameritrade Park: Home of the College World Series of baseball.

Must-see for everyone:

• Henry Doorly Zoo: The top-rated zoo in the United States.
• Aksarben Village: Shopping, dining, movies, night life, free outdoor concerts - a short walk from campus.
• Omaha Visitors Bureau: Everything that's great about Omaha; regularly updated calendar of events.
• Omaha Farmers Markets: Fresh produce and crafts from local farmers and artisans.
• The Old Market: Shopping, dining, night life, holiday festivals, art shows, and walking trails linked to the restored riverfront.
• Midtown Crossing: Movies, shopping, lunch, outdoor jazz concerts, and night life.
• The Holiday Lights Festival: Ice skating, Christmas lights, and hot chocolate in the winter months.
• The Durham Museum: History of the area's Wild West and 19th Century roots, housed in the former train depot.
• The Joslyn Art Museum: Fine arts from antiquity to contemporary; outdoor concerts in the sculpture garden.
• Lauritzen Gardens: A living botanical museum; many hectares of green tranquility.

With a car or a ride from a friend, international students can explore Nebraska beyond Omaha. The International Advising office frequently organizes trips to some of these sites as well. Check the calendar of International Events for upcoming trips:

• Nebraska Travel and Tourism: Statewide events, historical sites, and outdoors adventures.
• Nebraska at DiscoverAmerica.com: Best bargains, roadside attractions, trip ideas, and more.
• Nebraska County Fairs: Get to know Nebraska's agricultural roots at a nearby county fair.
• Ashfall Fossil Beds: Watch paleontologists uncover fossils at this active archeological dig and museum.
• The Lewis and Clark Trail: Markers and museums throughout the state record the findings of the U.S. government's first expedition into the unsettled West.
• Nebraska Game and Parks Commission: Search statewide for hiking, biking, fishing, and outdoor adventures of all kinds.
• The Strategic Air & Space Museum: Hundrends of artifacts and aircraft from World War II and the Cold War.
• Arbor Day Farm: A celebration of trees and institute for environmental conservation.
• Vala's Pumpkin Patch: The local center of harvest and Halloween fun - hayrack rides, haunted houses, and bonfires.