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Life in Chapel Hill

Life on Campus & in Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a small college town, but UNC has made it a magnet for interesting people and activities. Combined with its close neighbor, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area has roughly 85,000 residents. The area boasts rich cultural, food, historic, and sports opportunities that allow students to experience college and community life in the United States.

Although Chapel Hill itself is small, it makes up one of the corners of the Research Triangle. The Research Triangle is the common name for the research-intensive and cosmopolitan area which has grown up around UNC, Duke University in Durham, and North Carolina State University in Raleigh. Cooperation among these universities and the high concentration of talented researchers in the Triangle spawned the Research Triangle Park, a development of research facilities including bases for IBM, GlaxoSmithKline, the Environmental Protection Agency, and many other companies and research organizations.

Get to know Chapel Hill

Weather

The weather in Chapel Hill (and NC in general) does change with every season. Winters can be mild and summers are often very hot and humid. Spring and fall are often warm. 

  • Fall (September 23 – December 21) temperatures range from a high of 27C in September to a possible low of -1C in December. 
  • Winter (December 22 – March 19) temperatures range from a high 12C and a low of -1C or colder. 
  • Spring (March 20 – June 19) temperatures range from a high of 17C to 30C and a low of 3C to 18C as the months progress. 
  • Summer (June 20 – September 22) temperatures range from a high of 30C to 35C and a low of 18C to 20C. 

All buildings are air conditioned during the summer months. During the fall and winter months, it is recommended that you bring sweaters, a heavier coat and warm shoes as the temperature tends to drop.  

Transportation

UNC has a free bus system called Chapel Hill Transit to help you get around campus and Chapel Hill. Many things are within walking distance or can be accessed by a bus route. 

There are buses between Chapel Hill and Durham or Raleigh through the Triangle Transit Authority. 

Other ride-share services, such as Uber or Lyft, are also popular transportation options. 

Get Involved

Greek Life

Learn about Greek Life.

Greek Life

Intramurals

Learn more about Intramurals.

Intramurals

Heel Life

Learn about Student Organizations

Heel Life

Libraries

Learn about the libraries on campus

Libraries

UNC Student Stores

Learn about the Student Stores on campus.

Student Stores

EASE

EASE (Easing Abroad Students Entry) is a student organization at UNC-Chapel Hill that welcomes international students and helps integrate them into life at Carolina.

Join Facebook Group

Health & Wellness

UNC has many offices and resources available to support your physical and mental health and wellbeing.  

Campus Health Services (CHS): As an exchange student, you will be able to utilize Campus Health Services for many health services at no additional charge. These services include: provider visits in the general medicine clinics, provider visits at Gynecology, Sports Medicine visits including musculoskeletal evaluation, concussion care and rehabilitation, access to the pharmacy, nurse consultations, and more.

    • In addition to fee-free services, Campus Health provides other services for a reduced fee, including allergy injections, immunizations, specialty visits, prescriptions, and more.

Campus Health is by far the cheapest and easiest option to see a medical practitioner while at UNC if you are sick or need medication. You can make an appointment online here.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): As an exchange student, you will also have access to CAPS. CAPS is committed to addressing the mental health needs of a diverse student body and their approach integrates physical, emotional, academic, spiritual, social, and cultural well-being.

    • To connect with CAPS, please call 919-966-3658 on Monday – Thursday 9am-12pm, 1pm-4pm or Fridays 9:30am-12pm, 1pm- 4pm.

CAPS offers individual therapy, group therapy, workshops, and can also provide support for academic interventions as needed.

As an exchange student away from home for an extended period of time, you may experience periods of culture shock or homesickness. We encourage you to reach out for support- this can include reaching out to your exchange advisor, other international students (they are going through the same thing as you!), your EASE mentor, and of course the staff at CAPS.

UNC Student Wellness: This office is also a resource for you and they partner with Campus Health Services and CAPS. Services offered include sexual health education, self-care strategies, wellness coaching, and more.
UNC Campus Recreation: Are you looking to be active while at UNC? Check out the Campus Rec center for group classes, cardio and strength training equipment, weight lifting equipment, a climbing wall, and more.
UNC Study Abroad
Study Abroad Office
University of North Carolina
Campus Box 3130
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3130
919-962-7002
abroad@unc.edu

Call or email:
Monday - Friday, 9 am to 5 pm