“Duke gives you the space to explore your interests and figure things out along the way," said senior Ben Kahne. "Take advantage of that freedom.” (Photo courtesy of Kahne)
Ben Kahne '26: Learning to Ask for Help and Keep Going
Ben Kahne is a senior majoring in Political Science with a concentration in political economy, a minor in Economics and a Certificate in Markets and Management Studies. In addition to serving as a Trinity Ambassador, he is involved with the Duke Investment Club and the Duke Real Estate Club, and is the founder of the Duke Business Ethics Club. He studied abroad with Duke in Madrid, and, in his free time, he enjoys DJing, listening to music, playing basketball and spending time with friends.
As his undergraduate chapter draws to a close, we asked Kahne to reflect on his time at Duke, the experiences that shaped him, and the lessons he hopes to carry forward after graduation.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Is there a part of yourself that you discovered or reclaimed during your time at Duke?
One thing I didn’t expect when I arrived at Duke was the persistent feeling that everyone else seemed to have things more figured out than I did. Over time, I realized that almost everyone feels that way, especially at the beginning. Duke brings together people who were exceptional in their own communities, and suddenly you’re surrounded by hundreds of them.
What I developed here was the ability to keep going despite that uncertainty. A difficult class, a bad exam or a project that didn’t go well didn’t mean I didn’t belong. Learning to sit with that uncertainty and push forward is something I now carry into other parts of my life.
Looking back over the past four years, is there a small moment that ended up shaping your path?
One of my biggest failures at Duke became one of my most valuable lessons. In Economics 256 with Professor Emma Rasiel, my group spent a week working on a project but waited too long to ask for guidance. We ultimately couldn’t submit it.
Afterward, Professor Rasiel sat down with us and walked us through what had gone wrong. From that moment on, I stopped waiting until the last minute and made a habit of asking for feedback early. On the next project, our group finished as a top 10 finalist. The lesson was simple but powerful: start early and ask for help.
What is a challenge you faced as a Duke student that you’re proud of overcoming?
During the fall of my first year, I had to leave Duke temporarily to undergo treatment for a brain tumor. It was frightening both medically and personally because I had just arrived at a place I had worked so hard to reach.
Thankfully I made a full recovery, but what stayed with me most was the support I received from the Duke community. Classmates I had only known for a few weeks reached out, and professors, including Professor Jesse Summers, went far beyond what I expected to help me stay on track. Being away from campus made me realize that Duke isn’t just a place filled with driven students. It’s also a community that shows up for one another.
What advice would you give to your first-year self — or to an incoming first-year at Duke?
Say yes. Say yes to the club you’re unsure about, the dinner invitation when you’d rather stay in or the class that simply sounds interesting. Spend as little time in your room as possible and introduce yourself to people you might otherwise pass by.
The four years go by quickly. When they’re over, you won’t remember your GPA or the first internship you landed. You’ll remember the people and the moments. Duke gives you the space to explore your interests and figure things out along the way, so take advantage of that freedom.
As you prepare to graduate, what are you most grateful for from your time at Duke?
I’m most grateful for the people and the moments that pushed me beyond what I thought I could handle. Late nights studying in Perkins, conversations in professors’ office hours when a difficult concept finally clicked, or unexpected projects that turned out to be meaningful all shaped my experience.
More than anything, Duke gave me relationships that I expect to carry with me for the rest of my life. The friends and mentors I met here are what I’ll value most as I move into the next chapter.
