<p>We are also from California and we spent two weeks at Duke this summer (my daughter was doing a Duke summer camp). We felt very comfortable and welcomed. The weather was more humid that it would be at home, but you’re not going to be there in July as a college student. We were somewhat mystified by the passion for basketball (the basketball summer camps were at the same time…hundreds of really tall kids). We also visited UNC Chapel Hill, since we were nearby and we really liked that, too.
I felt like there was a warmth and friendliness in the overall atmosphere that reminded me of California. (Not something we have experienced in visits to some northern schools).
My daughters thought the most noticable difference was how polite people were…opening the door for the person after you, saying please and thank you…much more obvious in North Carolina than California.</p>