Last week, over 1,700 freshmen representing 50 different countries moved onto East Campus. Here's what members of the class of 2017 had to say about Duke, orientation and life in the South.
“The squirrels are trolls.” — freshman Autumn Carter from Houston, TX.
“The campus is just so gorgeous. It’s incredibly nice to go for a run and see all the trees and beautiful architecture.” — freshman Jenna Peters from Denver, CO.
“I don’t know what to say. I’m speechless—in a good way.” — freshman Carley Mulligan from Wallingford, CT.
“It’s nothing like I thought it would be. I love this school more than anything. I was scared to come here, but I’m surprised how caring the advisors are, and how attuned they are with what you want to do. I come from a large public high school where I was just a number, and having someone help you so much was, frankly, inspiring.” — freshman Natalie Carroll from Stanford, CT.
“So much to do, cool international people everywhere, lots of diversity. But I’ll get a PhD before I understand the freshman meal plan.” — freshman Lauren Harper from San Luis Obispo, CA.
“It’s amazing how open people are to talking. There is so much diversity, and it’s amazing how everyone mixes together.” — freshman Tina Liang from Fresno, CA.
“I can’t believe that I’m lucky enough to call this place home for the next four years.” — freshman Sai Panguluri from Dallas, TX.
“I never thought a place could be so multi-faceted in terms of academics, social events, athletics and…kindness.” — freshman Miguel Anderson from Irvington, NY.
“The enthusiasm for freshmen from everyone around us is overwhelming.” — freshman Uzoma Ayogu from Houston, TX.
“I loved meeting new people, and, although it was overwhelming at times, I’m confident that this is going to be a good year.” — freshman Micah English from Washington, D.C.
“There is so much free stuff.” — freshman Wendy Sun from Rockville, MD.
“People have done so much cool stuff—I’ve met a competitive clogger, a military member from Singapore, a boy scout who teaches kids to throws axes and someone who worked in a convent helping aging nuns.” – freshman Amina Bility from Cary, NC.
“It was really cool because everyone was so nice and everyone wanted to be friends with everyone, but it’s overwhelming because there are 1,700 new people.” — Vivian Zhang from Denver, CO.
“My first impressions of Duke were that everyone was very welcoming and all had similar goals of reaching out and learning new things.” — freshman Tory Macdonald from Boston, MA.
“The moving-in process was much more chaotic than I’d expected, but I must say, the people are much friendlier here, and the South really holds up to its ideal of Southern hospitality.” — freshman Justin Paley from Watchung, NJ.
“I didn’t realize how friendly I was until orientation.” — freshman James Hamilton from Northampton, England.
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