Welcome to Duke University and 2009 International Graduate/Professional Student Orientation...
Click the link below to access a taped version of the virtual seminar held on Monday, June 8th
Film “Welcome to Duke University”
Successful Entry into the United States
Finding Housing Off Campus
University Housing
Immunization and Insurance Requirements
International House as Your Resource Bank
International Graduate Orientation, Thursday, August 13th
Where: Love Auditorium, Levine Science Research Center, which is located on West Campus near the Duke Chapel and Pratt School of Engineering
When: Thursday, August 13, 2009. 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. (Optional Activities after 2 pm)
Who is invited?: All new International Graduate and Professional Students
Why should I come?: International Orientation is a chance to meet other grad and professional students from around the world, get information on cultural adjustment issues and services, and begin the wonderful transition to life at Duke and Durham. Below you will find the basic agenda of what will happen during orientation along with information about other resources for settling here.
We strongly encourage you to attend this important informative event. The International Orientation is facilitated by International House and experienced international graduates students called IHOPs (International House Orientation Peers). Click here to learn more about the IHOPs!
9:00 Welcome & Overview of Day
9:15 Video Clips and IHOP Introduction
9:30 IHOP Improv - Classroom Norms
9:40 Academic Expectations
10:00 IHOP Panel - Academic Expectations
10:30 Break
11:00 Safety & Security
11:15 IHOP Improv - Cultural Adjustment
11:30 Developing Strategies for Success
11:50 IHOP Panel - Cultural Expectations
12:00 Staying Healthy
• International Student Health Insurance
12:30 PIZZA Lunch and Small Group Discussions
• Answer questions, review upcoming activities, share resources, and complete evaluation
2:30 Shopping Trip
• Van will pick up students in front of the Duke Chapel and take you shopping for food and household items
6:30 Restaurant Hop
(Bring $15-$20 and meet at I-House at 6:15)
DON'T FORGET TO REGISTER!
* If you have a spouse or partner at Duke, they are encouraged to attend one of two Spouses Orientations in August. More details on Spouses Orientations will be available soon. For more information on Spouses services and programs click here.
Please read our suggested pre-departure check-list (below) and Moving to Durham section for pertinent information!!!
We look forward to meeting you all on Thursday, August 13th (if not earlier)!
Pre-Departure Checklist:
A lot of practical information on various topics like housing, transportation, banking, cell phones, etc. can be found and downloaded from the RESOURCES section of our website.
PRE-DEPARTURE QUESTIONS: In addition to the many resources contained in this website, there some forums and listservs you can join to get more specific questions answered:
- The IHOPs created a facebook group that is solely for incoming international graduate and professional students. In addition to asking questions of and introducing yourself to current IHOPs, you can also get to know other incoming international graduate and professional students. To join just go to the Duke International House facebook group.
- You can also join the International House (intlhouse) listserv. Hundreds of international students, scholars, spouses, and many others are subscribed and it is a primary resource for finding housing, roommates, cars, used furniture, and any other goods or information you could want.
- Near the beginning of July, you should be getting an email from a specific IHOP welcoming you to Duke. At anytime feel free to email the IHOPs or International House staff with any questions.
TRAVEL
- Make travel plans to arrive at Duke by August 11th if possible, no later than August 12th, in order to attend the International Graduate and Professional Orientation
- Via airplane: Reserve your flight to the Raleigh/Durham (RDU) International airport . Car rentals and taxis are available at the airport.
- Taxicab: The fare is about $30.00 to Durham and Duke. A tip of 10% plus $1.00 per suitcase is normal. This service is available 24 hours a day. After about 11:00 PM, you probably will have to wait for a taxicab to be called for you by the attendant.
- International House does not coordinate graduate student airport pickups from RDU. Some student organizations have volunteers that will pick students up from the airport. Click here to see a list of these groups and other options for getting to Duke from the airport.
- If possible, we recommend arriving Monday through Thursday. Most offices in the USA are closed on Saturday and Sunday.
- Visa information: If you have visa questions while still in your home country, you may contact the Duke Visa Services by e-mail or phone at (919) 681-8472.
- Health care is expensive here and different from other countries. All students are required to have adequate health insurance.
- All international Duke graduate and professional students are required to purchase the Duke Student Medical Insurance Plan (SMIP) that is designed for Duke students and complements the services of the Student Health Center. Duke students on F-1 and J-1 visas will be automatically enrolled in this health insurance. For more details on this and other important health related information visit the Student Health Center website.
- You must complete the Duke University Student Health Immunization Record, which you will receive from your Admissions Office, and return it as soon as possible. If you arrive without the record of your immunizations, you must be immunized again. The cost of the required immunizations is approximately $125 and is not covered by health insurance at any time. More information on immunizations can be found at the Student Health Center website.
- There are two housing options for graduate and professional students:
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- 1. On-Campus Apartments: For those of you who wish to live on-campus, a very limited number of spaces are available in apartments on campus. For more information and to apply, click here. Campus apartments include basic furniture and utilities (electricity, heat, and water) but do not have bedsheets, pillows, towels, or kitchenware.
- 2. Off-Campus Apartments: For off-campus apartments, you will need approximately $1,200 for deposits, first month's rent, and to activate utilities (electricity, gas, etc). Check Duke's Community Housing site for vacancies. Also sign up for the Intlhouse listserv to look for roommates and available apartments. You can also download a list of Apartment Complexes near campus from the Resources section of our website.
- You can also join the International House (intlhouse) listserv. Hundreds of international students, scholars, spouses, and many others are subscribed and it is a primary resource for finding housing, roommates, etc.
- Food Services: Duke campus has a variety of places to eat, ranging from cafeterias and fast food to full service restaurants. For more information please visit the Duke Dining website
- Banking: You should open a bank account once you arrive in Durham. Bring your funds either in traveler's checks or in an official bank check. Do not carry large amounts of cash during your travel. We recommend you get American Express traveler's checks as they are the easiest to cash in the U.S.
- Shipping: If you do not have a local address yet, you may want to leave your packages with a friend or family member with instructions to mail them to you once you have a home address. Or you can ask your department about shipping packages to them.
- Bring a few items that remind you of home (pictures, crafts, clothing, etc.) to share with other students.
- At home, allow plenty of time to say good-bye and plan how to keep in touch. You will be extremely busy during your first weeks and months , so it is important you explain to your family and friends that long periods between communications should not alarm them. It will all be part of this new adventure!
We also have maps, housing information, utilities, phone options, and much more information at International House. Drop by with your questions or check out our International House Programs: International House has many opportunities for you and your family to make your stay in the area more enjoyable through special activities and programs to enable you to meet new people and to learn more about the USA and North Carolina. To learn about the many ways you can get involved, including the International Friends Program which matches you with a community member, look under Programs on this website.
Remember: You may have many questions about coming here and even more after arriving. No question is a silly question. Please contact the staff at International House. We are here to assist you in any way that we can.