<p>I keep hearing about how duke is essentially a southern school and is not very welcoming to internationals. People say that it is also racist. Is this true ? Is it easy for internationals to make friends and hang out with american students ?</p>
<p>Thats a myth, Duke is not excluding of internationals or racists. Duke has an international house here specifically designed for the purpose of helping internationals get acquainted with the school, in addition to helping with international alumni connections.</p>
<p>Duke is very self-segregating, though. I will definitely concede that point. Many of the white kids hang out with white kids, blacks with blacks, asians with asians. It doesn’t start out that way, and I can honestly say that some of my best friends here are black, asian, and indian, but by the second term its like a glass of milk. People just start to separate. However, the international kids ik all very much enjoy their experience here at Duke. One of my friends from China is absolutely loving it and has a ton of friends. However, he does hang out with a lot of fellow internationals from China.</p>
<p>Personally, I love it here and think its a great place. I think most people find their niche and enjoy it, whether you are an international or not.</p>
<p>If you need finaid though, it is hard for an international to get into Duke. I would know; waitlisted.</p>
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<p>meh… I say that this can’t be a categorical statement. I wouldn’t say my friend circle is uniform at ALL.</p>
<p>Duke is a very open environment. In fact, I embrace the international students’ presence. I love the diversity. It brings a very global feel to the campus, and it’s nice hearing so many different languages and accents just walking across the quad daily. :)</p>
<p>I think Duke is open to students from all over but once again, once students find friends, they generally can be cliquey. That’s not a bad thing, or abnormal. I do think, however, that many international students prefer more urban schools (nyu, columbia, UChicago) simply because of the setting and ease of transportation to their home countries.</p>
<p>Duke is as self-segregating as you want it to be. Our son’s tent mates at Kville and his friends now look like advertisements for “Its A Small World” or the UN!</p>
<p>Or you can insulate yourself with others who prefer to do the same; your choice.</p>
<p>Saying Duke is a southern school is like pretending south florida isn’t full of retired new yorkers. </p>
<p>However, it is somewhat segregating as many have mentioned. But then again, the “self” part of self-segregating should be emphasized, it’s a purely personal decision.</p>