North Carolina is famous for many things: the Outer Banks where the Wright brothers made history, the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains, mouthwatering smoked barbecue, and the iconic Krispy Kreme doughnuts. But beyond these well-known attractions, the state is also home to beautiful lakes and serene forests.

As a new Duke student, I recently had the chance to discover one of these gems: Lake Norman, just two hours from Durham.

Planning the Trip

Before coming to Durham, my wife, Fabiana, and I started getting to know the people who would also be attending Fuqua. The Brazilians organized a WhatsApp group with fellow compatriots. We met some of the people in this group before our move and connected with others later. We found this communication tool to be our main one for sharing insights, events, pictures, and asking for each other’s help, which helped foster our strong community at Fuqua.

This new group helped me transition more easily into Durham and progress through our Business, Communication, and Culture course in mid-July. Following that, our mentor, Fuqua alum Pedro Mendonca, MBA ’19, and his wife, Larissa, my new MBA ’26 classmate, suggested a weekend getaway to Lake Norman.

With excitement in the air, we rented a few cars, stocked up at Costco for eight people plus our adorable mascot Molly, and set off for our lakeside rental. After passing through charming cities like Greensboro and Winston-Salem, we reached our destination in just over two hours.

A black dog sits on a pink towel over a dog bed situated on the floor in front of expansive windows overlooking the lake
Our mascot Molly lounging in front of windows overlooking the lake

Day 1

Our first order of business was simple: dive into the lake. The temperature was a sweltering 100 degrees, but the clear, cool water was a perfect escape. We spent the afternoon swimming, playing card games, and enjoying some tunes.

As the sun began to set, we returned to our cozy house and prepared a delicious Brazilian barbecue with the cuts we picked up at Costco. The evening was filled with laughter as we played charades and enjoyed a movie together.

Day 2

Our second day was all about relaxation and indulgence. Larissa treated us to American-style pancakes with blueberries and maple syrup, setting a delicious tone for the day. After breakfast, we hit the lake for another refreshing swim before diving into the Olympic Games opening. We wanted to savor every moment before heading back to Durham the next day.

A gray lake house with a wall of windows at the top of a slight hill with about 6 stairs leading up, a black dog is walking about halfway up the stairs
Our house seen form the lake

Day 3

On our final morning, we gathered for a second round of breakfast, packed up our things, and took a moment to appreciate the gorgeous lake views. We were all a bit wistful as we said goodbye, hoping our next adventure would be just as wonderful.

On the way home, we made a pit stop at the Streets at Southpoint Mall and indulged in a fantastic cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory. It was the perfect sweet ending to a perfect first month at Durham.

Looking back, this trip was the ideal way to close out my first month at Duke. I’m eager to see what the future holds and excited for more adventures with my new Duke family!