These tips come from our current and past international students based on their experiences here.
Getting Around
Want to reduce your carbon footprint and travel by bus? Durham is connected to the neighboring cities of Raleigh and Chapel Hill by the Triangle Transit Bus Services which are free to Duke Students with the GoPass. Within Durham the DATA buses will take you wherever you wish to go, also free with the GoPass. Visit the Duke International Student Center transportation web page for more information.
Health/Insurance
The Duke Student Health Center provides information on the type of medical insurance plans international students are required to enroll in as well as facilities of the Student Health Center.
Duke International Student Center
Duke’s International Student Center is a great resource. During the summer, they hosts virtual online sessions to help new students plan their transition. In the week prior to the Nicholas School orientation, the Duke International Student Center hosts a Resource Fair and Orientation for international students, which includes an especially helpful session on academic integrity and differences in the style of courses in American universities. DISC also maintains a Wiki site to put international students in touch with each other before and after they arrive in Durham.
International Students’ Listserv
You will be added to the Nicholas School International Students’ Listserv the summer before you arrive. The address is profinter@nicholas.duke.edu. Use this list to post any questions or concerns you may have and current international students will try to help you find answers. It’s best to use your Duke email address to write to the listserv or your message will be delayed.
Living Essentials
Need to open a Bank account, places to shop, or concerned about personal safety? Visit the Living Essentials web page by the Duke International Student Center and Living at Duke by Student Affairs to find information about everything and anything you need to settle in comfortably in the US.
Pre-Departure and Arrival
The Duke International Student Center has resources for pre-departure and arrival outlined at their website.
Under visa restrictions, international students may arrive no earlier than 30 days prior to the start of their program. Arriving as early as possible within this window will help you get settled in your new home, attend orientations, and visit Duke’s International International Student Center and Visa Services Office.
Finding Housing
Duke’s Office of Student Affairs has good resources to learn about neighborhoods, housing options, and transportation. International students get priority for on-campus housing until early May.
If English Is Not Your First Language
Your time at the Nicholas School and Duke University can be a great opportunity to improve your English and prepare to apply for internships and jobs in English-speaking countries. Here are some tips:
- Connect with the Duke International Student Center
- The Duke International Student Center offers several programs designed for international students, including Duke Language Partners, English Conversation Club, Spanish Conversation Club, Chinese Conversation Club, International Friends Program, Global Cafe, and more. Consider participating in one or more of these programs!
- Choosing Courses
- When picking your first-semester courses, consider the structure of the course, such as amount of reading, writing, presentations, and be sure you are comfortable with the requirements. Classes such as policy and law, for example, emphasize heavy reading and writing requirements. If unsure, contact the instructor to discuss. Balancing your coursework during your first semester will give you a chance to adjust to the English language before taking courses heavy in reading, writing, and/or oral presentations.
- Practice English
- While in the classroom, lectures, conversations, and groupwork are held in English. Take advantage of this opportunity to engage with peers who are both native and non-native English speakers to practice your English. Find opportunities to engage with students to practice your English-speaking (and writing) skills. Listen to US news channels, public radio stations, etc. See above regarding resources provided the Duke International Student Center.
- Taking Notes/Participating in Lectures: If You’re Having Trouble
- Ask the instructor to write out key vocabulary words
- Ask permission to tape-record the lectures
- See if there are lecture notes available on the course web page or from the instructor
- Go to office hours of the instructor and/or teaching assistant to clarify your notes
- Study Groups/Group Projects
- Join both social and professional groups and actively participate in events. These groups are open to all students and are a great opportunity to engage socially and academically.
- If you are having trouble organizing a group, ask the instructor to help set up groups
- Be sure you are clear on what work (e.g., homework problems) can be done in groups and what must be done individually
- Ask your peers to help proofread written work for group projects and/or take advantage of the various writing support opportunities (see below).
- Exams
- Ask instructor if any accommodations for non-native speakers are acceptable (e.g., more time, use of English-native language dictionary, use of “bullet points” instead of complete sentences)
- Written reports
- The Nicholas School Communications Studio is a writing resource for environmental professionals to work toward the improvement of written communications. The studio offers one-on-one consultations, information on proper methods of citation, and communication trainings.
- Non-native English speakers will participate in no cost, structured English language support tailored to their needs through instruction by the NSOE Communications Studio. This instruction is built around the coursework in which the students are enrolled.
Video Resources
Summer Transition Series for incoming international graduate and professional students provided by the Duke International Student Center.
The resources included in these videos are:
- Duke International Student Center
- Duke Visa Services
- The Graduate School
- Student Health
- Office of Information Technology
- Parking and Transportation
- Off-campus Housing
- Duke Police
- Counseling & Psychological Services (To be uploaded soon)
You can access the videos through Duke Warpwire (no VPN is needed for students in Mainland China) and You Tube.