Tips for International Fellows THOUGHTUL SURVIVAL TO PRACTICE ENJOYABLE LIFE! ( from thoughtful leadership to medical practice) 1. Duke Visa Services – FIRST THING TO DO! 1. Confirm J status of visa with Duke Visa Services (visa sponsor/ host institution) Visa Service: http://www.visaservices.duke.edu/J1_Scholar_Incoming.html Location: Smith Warehouse: Bay 7 – 1st Floor 114 S. Buchanan Blvd. Durham, NC 27708 Google maps: http://g.co/maps/zqfma Phone +1(919) 681-­‐8472 Bring: •
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Visa Document: DS-­‐2019* Valid passport I-­‐94 card (the small white card stamped at the port of entry) A copy of your Duke offer letter or invitation letter * if you plan to temporary leave the US before the expiration date of the visa, notify Duke visa services ahead of them, and bring your visa papers. They will sign them. (only necessary for the first trip abroad) Note: only begin twice every weekday: 9:30am and 1:30am. Be sure to be there ahead of time. 2. Prepare valid visa before international trips
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Always carry DS 2019 form in addition to the passport. 6 months before expiration, please go to the visa office to have your DS2019 form signed and dated, if there is an international trip planned. Start the visa renewal process 6 months in advance from the expiration data to make sure all paperwork will be done in time to get a new visa stamp. 2. Transportation As you have find out already: if you want to go anywhere here in Durham: a car is the way to go. Before you buy your dream car, here’s a piece of advice: Take your time; there’s plenty of cars, and the list of temporary alternative options is endless. Below we summarize a few options: 1. RENT A CAR • Ready Drive: http://www.readydrive.com/ • From Airport (rental for >1 week) • Zipcar: http://www.zipcar.com (for long term, hourly rentals, especially handy when you decide to live close to the Duke west campus or Chapel Hill) Tips for International Fellows Note: Longer term car rental (min 30 days) are cheaper compared to rent from airport 2. DRIVER LICENSE In order to obtain an NC drivers license you should: • Read the NC driver handbook (traffic signs, US and NC rules, etc) Acrobat Document
Rent a car as well as have proof of insurance (see item 3) Go to North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office to take written (eletronic) and driver exam (best to go in the early morning). DMV: http://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/ Acrobat Document
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Location: Durham, East (Monday – Friday 8:00 – 4:30) 101 S. Miami Blvd. Durham, NC 27703 Google maps: http://g.co/maps/cmjjs Phone (919) 560-­‐6896 Location: Durham, South (Monday – Friday 8:00 – 4:30) 3825 S. Roxboro Street Suite 119 Durham, NC 27713 Google maps: http://g.co/maps/78uxd Phone (919) 560-­‐6896 3. INSURANCE As a drive with no US driver experience, your premiums will be higher than your American (also Canadian??) peers. Some insurance companies are willing to make a deal. Check which is cheaper and save money by talking to an agent in person (remember it’s a free market): Geico: http://www.geico.com/ Nationwide: http://www.nationwide.com/ Local agency: Around the Corner Insurance (http://atcia.com) 4. BUYING A CAR Buying a car is not easy, but you can try: • Craigslist: http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cgi-­‐bin/autos.cgi?&category=cta/ • Autotrader • Dukelist • Car dealer 2 Tips for International Fellows Note: Before you buy a (second hand) car, a couple of suggestions: 1) ask for the VIN number, and check this online (for salvage title, or major damage, unpaid liens, etc); 2) always take it for a test drive, check for leaks, and have it inspected at a garage “pre-­‐buyers’ inspection”. This will usually cost $50-­‐100, but provides more certainty on the reliability of the car your interested in. 5. CAR REGISTRATION DMV: http://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/vehicle/ Requires a NC ID or driver license, proof of (at least liability) insurance. 6. PARKING It’s not easy to find an available parking at Duke Campus. If you are coming to DCRI better to pay to park in North Pavilion parking lot (PG3) Parking ticket is available at the office of the south hospital BF. $50 per month. 7. Roadside assistance: Join AAA http://www.aaa.com/ • Emergency roadside assistance for free. ( Towing, Battery, Tire services) • Discount with other travel agency ( get discount while booking hotel) 8. TAXI It’s really hard to survive in Durham without a car but if you insist or if you will share your car, you will probably need items 6 and 7. Durham Taxi: http://www.durhamtaxi.com/rates Plan ahead to call the cab because It can take more than 20 min to get one in your house. 9. BUS If you use your google maps and choose public transportation, it will give the exactly numbers for the bus. There are two different companies for the bus and the tickets from one cannot be used in the other. Triangle Transit: http://triangletransit.org/ Go Triangle: http://www.gotriangle.org/ 3. SSN: Social Security Number Application *10 days after (1) After to go to the Visa Service you must to wait 10 business day before aply for the SSN. 3 Tips for International Fellows Social Security: http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm Location: 3004 Tower Blvd. Durham, NC 27707 Google maps: http://g.co/maps/bzg3k Phone (800) 772-­‐1213 Documents Needed: •
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Visa Document: DS-­‐2019 Valid passport I-­‐94 card (the small white card stamped at the port of entry) 4. Accomodation 1. RENTING AN APARTMENT Go find an apartment and have fun “discovering” Durham. http://www.apartmentguide.com/apartments/North-­‐Carolina/Durham/ http://www.apartmentlist.com/nc/durham If possible, check with someone first to see if the location where you choose your apartment/house is a good location to live. 2. DUKE ENERGY Of Course you will need some eletricity. Duke Energy: http://www.duke-­‐energy.com/north-­‐carolina.asp Phone (800) 772-­‐1213 Whithout SSN, you have to pay a security deposit. 5. NC ID: North Carolina Identification Card Why do I need a NC ID? 1) If you will not apply for a driver’s licence you can get a NC ID and stop carrying your passport everywhere. 2) If you want to buy your car before to get the driver licence (and use your own car to do the exam) you can get the NC ID first and buy the car before having the driver license. DMV: http://www.dmv.org/nc-­‐north-­‐carolina/id-­‐cards.php The locations are the same for the driver license (see item 2.2) 6. Banking 1. BANK OF AMERICA https://www.bankofamerica.com/ The banker’s information for student credit card application: 4 Tips for International Fellows Mr. Kieran K Gunnigle Location: 3200 Shannon Road Durham, NC 27707 Google maps: http://g.co/maps/7gujw Phone (919) 956-­‐2242 ext 4 2. SUNTRUST https://www.suntrust.com/ Location: 2714 Erwin Road Durham, NC 27705 Google maps: http://g.co/maps/csnpk Phone (919) 384-­‐7301 7. Health Insurance 1. DUKE If you will receive money from DUKE, consider to have Duke insurance (cheaper). There’s a number of options (Duke basic, Duke select, etc.. when you have or plan to have a family, way this into your options also, even when you’re completely healthy) 2. IMG – International Medical Group http://www.imglobal.com/ Location: 2960 North Meridian Street Indianapolis, IN 46208-­‐4715 Email: insurance@imglobal.com Phone (317) 655-­‐4500/ Fax: (317) 655-­‐4505 8. Supermarket There is a lot of options, probably you will have your preferences after a while but until there: 1. Kroger: http://www.kroger.com/Pages/default.aspx Nearest to Duke Location: 3457 Hillsborough Rd Durham, NC 27705 Google maps: http://g.co/maps/b4nbb Phone (919) 361-­‐0470 2. Costco: http://www.costco.com/ Good food and good quality but you must have a membership. Location: 1510 N. Pointe Dr. Durham, NC 27705 Google maps: http://g.co/maps/m38uc Phone (919) 220-­‐2770 9. Outlets 5 Tips for International Fellows 1. Tanger Outlets: http://www.tangeroutlet.com/mebane In Mebane, the nearest to Durham (20 min driving). 2. Carolina Premium Otlets: http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=48 One hour driving: Smithfield. 10.Traveling Look for flight tickets at: •
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Expedia: http://www.expedia.com/ Tripadivor: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ Fly: http://www.fly.com/ Orbitz: http://www.orbiz.com/ Travelocity: http://www.travelocity.com/ Priceline: http://www.priceline.com/ and others. And you can book a hotel at the same sites or: http://www.booking.com/ 11.Education: 1. Writing course: Scientific Writing from the Reader’s Perspective -­‐-­‐-­‐George D. Gopen, B.A., J.D., Ph.D. 2. Dale Carnegie Course in Effective Communication and Human Relations/Skills for Success • Free for one duke student/fellow/employ every session • Contact: 3. Subscribe postdocs@duke.edu to get up-­‐to-­‐date academic information: • Grant writing • Communication with statistician • Successful academic presentation 6 Tips for International Fellows 12.Other Tips 1. Flashing around you are working for DUKE, many occasions they have discount for duke employee. (one of our fellows get hundreds off from our rental contract) 2. The Duke International House is a good first stop. They have all this info in a welcome pack, plus the free ride to social security office. 7