Transportation Flowchart: Use this flowchart to help you better understand and navigate automobiles and transportation decisions at Duke!
Want to learn to drive and get a license? Read our guides below!
NC State ID, Learner's License & Driving License Info
Thinking of renting or purchasing a vehicle? Read through our guides on rentals, buying pre-owned cars, finding mechanics, and navigating automobile insurance below:
Registering Your Car & Auto Tags
Note: If you are Canadian, then the process for getting insured and legal to start driving is outlined here.
You will find it almost essential to have a bank account in the USA, unless you are here for a short period of time. We (USA Americans) use debit cards for almost all our purchases these days. We usually carry very little cash on us.
Opening an account
All you need to open a bank account is your passport, a U.S. address and some money to deposit. The bank will ask for your social security number (SSN) but you DO NOT NEED this number to open a bank account. If you are eligible for a SSN, just tell the bank you will give the number to them after you receive it. If you are not eligible for an SSN, that is fine. If you open up an interest-bearing savings account, you are eligible to apply for an Individual Tax Payer Identification Number (ITIN)
Wiring Money
If you want funds transferred electronically from your home to your bank here in the United States, you will need (1) the name of your bank, (2) your bank account number, and (3) your bank's routing number. Each bank charges for wiring funds in and out of the country. Contact the individual banks for fees.
Fact Sheets
The information sheets below contain detailed description of how to access the resources and utilize them.
The Triangle area (Durham-Chapel Hill-Raleigh) is a great place to raise children. There are lots of family friendly things to do as well as many parks and green areas. Good Resources to check out include: Carolina Parent, Durham Parks & Recreation and Chapel Hill Parks & Recreation. That said, one really must have a car if you are coming here with children. For more information on how to go about purchasing a second-hand car, take a look at
Purchasing a Pre-Owned Car or go to our Transportation section.
Fact Sheets
The Triangle area (Durham-Chapel Hill-Raleigh) is a great place to raise children. There are lots of family friendly things to do as well as many parks and green areas. Good Resources to check out include: Carolina Parent, Durham Parks & Recreation and Chapel Hill Parks & Recreation. That said, one really must have a car if you are coming here with children. For more information on how to go about purchasing a second-hand car, take a look at
Purchasing a Pre-Owned Car or go to our Transportation section.
Fact Sheets
Adjusting to a new culture while maintaining your own can be difficult. DISC offers a variety of resources to help you successfully navigate the cultural maze.
Fact Sheets & Resources
Durham boasts some of North Carolina's most notable chefs and restaurants. Nearly 500 restaurants can be found in Durham, with food ranging from North Carolina barbecue (traditionally pulled pork) to fresh seafood. There are many diverse restaurants in Durham with a variety of cuisines. Check out discoverdurham.com or subscribe to Bites of Bull City.
Restaurants Close to Campus. There are some fun neighborhoods within walking distance to West and East Campuses. The non-profit, Downtown Durham, is a wonderful resource for eateries walking distance to campus, coffee shops and much more.
Tips on Tipping. In the United States a “tip” is NOT included in restaurant bills, haircuts, taxi rides or other services provided. Take a look at this Consumer Reports information to learn more about tipping in the United States.
The best place to take English Language Classes is at Durham Technical Community College. Durham Tech offers classes at no charge in both Durham and Chapel Hill during the day and in the evenings. You must attend the mandatory registration session in order to be enrolled for classes that semester. DTCC also offers more academic English classes for a fee. Note: Durham Tech does not provide childcare.
ESL Resources. — This handout includes information about where you can study and/or practice English language in the area.
Private Tutor List. — Hiring a Private English Language Tutor may be a better option given your circumstances. Here is a list of local tutors and editors.
Finding an Optometrist. — If you need to find an eye doctor and/or get contact lens or glasses.
Finding a Dentist. — There is a dental clinic at the Student Wellness Center that is open to all at Duke. However you can also go to a dentist in the community.
Finding a Doctor for Non-Students. —mIf you are a Duke student, you can go to the Duke Student Health Center for medical treatment. This information is for everyone who is not a Duke student and needs to find a doctor or clinic.
In case of emergency, dial 911 immediately
Duke University strives to be a safe place for students to learn, grow, and enjoy their college experience. Security is a shared responsibility and students, faculty, and staff are all valuable partners with Campus Security to help to maintain a safe campus community for all. If you are living off campus and within the Duke Vans zone, we suggest putting the Duke RideCell App on your phone.
Duke Police Safety Information
Do not hesitate to contact Duke International Student Center with any questions and/or concerns you have. No question is too small or too silly.
Fact Sheets
Duke is a diverse campus with a wide variety of student groups.
Looking to practice a specific language? Join a language table!
Are you organizing an event and want to know how to make it more inclusive to international students? Check out our guide on Globally Inclusive Programming.
All international students, scholars, and their family members who stayed in the U.S. for one day or more in 2022 must file Form 8843 individually and send it to the Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Center, Austin, TX 73301-0215 by April 18, 2023. This is true even if you did not have any income in 2022. Form 8843 is used to record the number of days that you were actually present in the United States within a year. In February 2023, you can find instructions and the latest form 8843 on the Duke International Student Center's website.
Additional requirements for those who earned income in the U.S. during 2022?
If you had any U.S.-based income in 2022, you will need to file for a federal tax return and a state tax return by April 18, 2023. Your tax status will determine the correct tax forms to file. Your tax status is determined by your visa type and the amount of time that you have been in the U.S.
To determine your tax status, check out the IRS website:
https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/Determining-Alien-Tax-Status
Resident Alien or Nonresident Alien
Determining your tax filing status
Appendix:
Definition of Terms and Tax forms
Local Tax Professionals
H&R Block
5322 NC Hwy 55, Suite 103
Phone 919.294.8598
Email margaret.yp.hung@tax.hrblock.com
3400 Croasdaile Drive, Suite 203
Durham, NC 27705
Phone 919.382.2507
Email paul@psdurhamcpa.com
Learn MoreBesides driving, there's a number of ways to get around Durham and Duke.