TREBLE batch 1 in the US: A week of new beginnings

TREBLE batch 1 has arrived in the US! There is something truly special about finally beginning something we’ve been looking forward to for so long. For weeks, the idea of coming to the US lived mostly in our minds. And then suddenly, we were here. We’re excited to share a glimpse of our first week at the University of North Carolina in the US!

Tuesday

Tuesday was the big departure day. Together, we boarded out flight from Copenhagen Airport to London Heathrow, and from there continued across the Atlantic to Raleigh-Durham. On the way to campus, our driver gave us a crash course in life as a student at UNC and in the local area. There were so many new impressions at once - the dorm rooms, the campus atmosphere, and the stores. The common thread running through it all was that the US really did feel “as American” as we had imagined.

Wednesday

Wednesday was our very first introduction day. We finally met the students from UNC and SMU, the group of people we’ll be spending the next year and a half with. It was such a relief and joy to realize how open and kind people were. The day was spent at the Carolina Outdoor Recreation Center, where a full program of activities awaited us. From icebreakers to team-building challenges - and even ziplining - the goal was to step outside of our comfort zones. In the evening, Sherri - the TREBLE program manager - invited us out for a dinner at Purple Bowl. Over colorful bowls and conversations, we got to know each other better. The first day was already a great success! 

Thursday

Thursday carried on with the same great energy from the day before. Our new friends from UNC had organized a campus tour. We were immediately impressed by the campus environment, which made us feel like being part of a movie. One thing that stood out in particular was the strong culture around sports. Football and basketball aren’t just games here; they’re part of the identity of the university. As we strolled through campus, we discovered even more common interests with each other. It was the perfect mix of sightseeing and bonding. 

Friday

By Friday, a slower pace was exactly what we needed. The week had been full of new impressions, so a relaxed day by Kerr Lake felt like the perfect plan. David had organized a variety of activities both on land and in the water. Onshore, there were plenty of games to choose from: spikeball, American football, and even the Danish favorite “Kongespil”. Out on the water, paddleboards and canoes were ready for anyone eager to explore the lake. Some chose to swim instead, cooling off in the refreshing water. As the bus pulled away from Kerr Lake, many of us dozed off on the ride back - a sure sign of a day well spent!

Saturday 

Saturday was deliberately left without any scheduled activities. After a packed week, it was a day to slow down. It was a welcome pause that gave us the chance to recharge and take it all in before the adventures ahead. 

Sunday

On Sunday, we joined the official student orientation for all incoming exchange students at UNC. The classroom was filled with people from all over the world. It was comforting to meet others who were in the same boat as us, adjusting to a new country. By the time we went to bed that night, our thoughts turned to the expectations for our FDOC (“First Day of Class”). What that day would bring, you’ll have to read about in our next blog post. 

TREBLE batch 1 is full of thankfulness for the warm welcome we have received! On behalf of the entire batch, we would like to express our appreciation to UNC - and especially Sherri and the other students - for making our arrival so wonderful. Our many thoughts about the arrival in the US have proven to live up to our expectations. We are more than ready for what the coming semester will bring in terms of growth. See you again soon!