<p>Hi Dukies,</p>
<p>When should I get to Durham?</p>
<p>I'll be flying there. I can't check in to the school before the move-in date, so I'll be staying in a hotel. </p>
<p>While I'm there, I plan to get a car and buy basic necessities etc. </p>
<p>Should I go, say, 5 days before the move-in date or is that too long? I'm afraid of getting bored with nothing to do. But, I also don't want to rush. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Just get there a night (maybe two nights) before the move-in date, and stay at a hotel. Like you said, you will get bored with nothing to do.</p>
<p>You'll have all of orientation week to do what you need to do and buy what you want to buy.</p>
<p>You "plan to get a car?" As in, you're just gonna fly into Durham and pick out any car you want right when you get there? On daddy's card, I assume? </p>
<p>lolz, typical Dukie ;)</p>
<p>Go tomorrow and sleep on the lawn. You will get there before everybody else! My brother did it and he got really good rooms!</p>
<p>hookem i think the condescending tone used to describe a "typical dukie with daddy's card" was a little unneccessary...when the poster mentioned "getting a car", it was done with no arrogance or sense of entitlement.</p>
<p>Dear Antwerp - since you are an international student you might want to contact the International House:</p>
<p>International</a> House</p>
<p>Look under Resources at the I-House Handout about Transportation. Several local used auto dealers are listed.</p>
<p>See this additional link about Moving to Durham:</p>
<p>International</a> House :: Services :: Moving to Durham</p>
<p>They are there to help international students at Duke.</p>
<p>In 2008 there was a special move in program for International Students:</p>
<p>International</a> House :: Services :: Undergraduate</p>
<p>If you attend the Special Orientation you are allowed to move in early.</p>
<p>You might want to contact the office to see if they have scheduled the 2009 Special Orientation yet.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>@SBR,</p>
<p>Will we have a lot of free time during Orientation Week to buy stuff, get a car etc. ?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Tons of freshman do the preOrientation programs..one is an outback program..the other does public service projects in Durham...my son got his application in just a bit late and both programs were full..this is a great way to make friends before classes start..and most people are very glad they did them.</p>
<p>"I plan to get a car....and the basic necessities" --- that sounds a bit crazy to me (and I very much agree with hookem).....who can just stay at a hotel for 5 days and, while waiting, buy a car?? Does Duke even allow first-years to have cars on campus? Gah, what kind of car do you plan on getting?</p>
<p>Tons of freshmen do not have cars since they come from far away and half the student body is receiving financial aide based on need. Duke students are from every part of the economic spectrum. Did I read that Duke is going to start up with that rent a tiny car program? Lots of students do public service and volunteer work around town and could use wheels. Getting to and from the airport is a simple taxi or van ride easily arranged. There are a couple hotels within walking distance of campus or the hospital..one expensive and one inexpensive. Our son came from only three hours from Durham and did not have a car till he was a senior and he finally put the money together for a car because he had a job. There is plenty of room for cars although parking near West can be difficult. You don't need a car to enjoy Duke nor is it unusual to not have a car there for a couple years. More upperclassmen show up with cars than freshmen. But there is more room at Duke for cars than at many other campuses where freshmen and even sophomores can't have them due to urban locations/lack of space.</p>