Growing up in a small village, I (Pu, Martel ‘29) vividly remember a dozen kids gathering around a tiny box television just to watch a soccer match. Our village didn’t have much, but for 90 minutes, none of that mattered. The FIFA World Cup is where dreams come true, communities unite and the entire planet speaks a single language: soccer. Looking back, it’s hard to believe that I went from watching the tournament on that tiny screen to playing a behind-the-scenes role in bringing these massive sporting events to billions of people across the globe. Here’s a look at what it’s really like to bring the game to life on the international stage!

Working on a major global event is a common goal for anyone interested in the sports industry, but at Rice, these opportunities can often start earlier than expected. I’m Jacob L., Hanszen '27, and over the past year, I worked with the Houston Host City Committee to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Here’s a look at my experience and the lessons I learned while helping to lay the groundwork for the tournament.

When choosing a college major, many students feel pressured to pick a path and stick to it. But what happens when your passions span from mechanical engineering to environmental history? Sanjana, McMurtry ‘29, shares how she refused to box herself in, finding ways to connect the dots between engineering, history and environmental science.

When Ian, McMurtry ‘26, first arrived at Rice, he knew he was interested in policy and law school, yet he wasn’t quite sure what that pathway would look like in practice. What he didn’t expect was how Rice would allow him to bridge these two fields in so many ways — both inside the hedges and beyond.

Laylee, Sid Rich ‘29, shares how she used Rice’s flexible distribution system to move beyond the "typical" pre-med experience. Discover how she bridged the gap between rigorous STEM coursework and the human side of healthcare through medical humanities and language studies.

Maha, a PhD student in the Human Factors and Human-Computer Interaction program, came to Rice looking for a way to bridge different fields of study and found a community along the way. Here’s how becoming president of the student chapter of the Rice Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) turned an educational journey into a shared mission.

Finding the perfect place to "lock in" is a rite of passage for every Rice Owl. After a year of exploring inside the hedges, Nina, Brown ‘29, shares her definitive guide to the best study spots at Brown and on campus.

Whether you’ve collected rocks since childhood or stumbled upon the field during college, Ainsley, Baker '26, shares how the Weiss School of Natural Sciences provides the flexibility, community and field-based experiences to help map out a path in EEPS.

Being a student at the Shepherd School of Music isn't just practicing your musical craft to perfection. It's exploring your passions across Rice with our world-class faculty and resources. Follow Cirdan, Will Rice '28, through a week in his life as a Cello Performance major and Business minor. Check out the video below!

For Isabella, Hanszen ‘26, working at an archaeological site transformed classroom theory into a tool for sharing stories from the past. Excavating the Varner-Hogg Plantation in Brazoria County provided the chance to see how raw data can bring lost narratives to life, while also sharpening the analytical skills she needs in her future legal career.

At Rice, if you can’t find a community, you build your own! Katie, Jones ‘26, took this to heart by founding the JiBroAdway theater committee and serving as an RHA. Discover how O-Week traditions led her to lead research roles and musical showcases.

As a senior Mechanical Engineering student at Rice with three internships under her belt, Claire, Martel '26, has both the skills and confidence to succeed and conquer the corporate world. But her path wasn’t always easy! Discover how resources at Rice helped shape her journey as a future mechanical engineer.