Rice is full of amazing students who come from a diverse set of backgrounds and interests, and we are so excited for you to meet some of them! Our owl guides are passionate about sharing their Rice experience and eager to show you a glimpse of what it’s like to be a Rice Owl.
Fredrick '25
Kiambu, Kenya
Residential College: Sid Richardson
What is your favorite question to be asked on tour?
I like being asked about my life as an engineering student and the various activities I’m involved in. I can go on and on about my experiences in each of my clubs because they’ve formed such a core part of my experience so far at Rice.Interests: CULTURE, RESEARCH
Genesis '25
Honolulu, Hawaii
Residential College: Hanszen
What is your favorite Rice experience?
Cooking with my friends in the college kitchens! One of my favorite Rice experiences is making fried rice and spam musubis late at night and eating a “second dinner” together, while talking and talking about other dishes we could try. I love making (and eating) food with the people I care about and it was really special to be sharing food from my hometown. I love that at Rice I’m able to meet people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, and that I’m able to share mine as well! That moment helped me connect my life at home to my life at Rice, and though I sometimes feel homesick, I also feel like Rice and moments like these are home too.Interests: ARTS, ENVIRONMENTAL, RESEARCH
Giulia '25
São Paulo, Brazil
Residential College: Will Rice
What is your favorite Rice experience?
O-Week!! So much happens from the moment you step out of you car to people chanting your name to the end of the week, when you have not only signed up for your classes but met a community that will be there for you no matter what! I think that is our most beautiful demonstration of culture of care!Interests: CULTURE, MUSIC, RESEARCH, SOCIAL JUSTICE
Gwyneth '26
Houston, Texas
Residential College: Will Rice
Why did you choose Rice?
I chose Rice because for as long as I can remember I went to schools with a larger student body. As an introvert, it sometimes made it difficult for me to ask for help and get a teacher’s undivided attention. Therefore, when choosing a college, I knew I wanted to go to a smaller University where I can work one-on-one with professors. With Rice also being a research institution, that is nothing but encouraged here. I have enjoyed working hand-in-hand with scholarly and high achieving professors, even as a freshman.Interests: CULTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL, MUSIC, RESEARCH
Hayley '25
The Woodlands, Texas
Residential College: Lovett
What is your favorite Rice experience?
My favorite Rice experience is supporting my friends working at student-run food establishments! Along with my other friends, I love racing to the front of their long lines and trying to be their first customers of the day. Typically, we grab food from The Hoot and boba from East-West before studying in Sammy’s. I love how food brings people together at Rice, and I have so much fun supporting and studying with my friends.Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, RESEARCH, SOCIAL JUSTICE
Ipek '25
Istanbul, Turkey
Residential College: Sid Richardson
What is your favorite Rice experience?
My favorite Rice experience was touring the campus for the first time. I didn’t have the opportunity of touring our campus before O-Week, and even though the online tours were great, standing in the academic quad for the first time is a feeling I’ll never forget.Interests: ARTS, ATHLETICS, MUSIC
Isabella B. '26
Scottsdale, Arizona
Residential College: Lovett
Why did you choose Rice?
I chose Rice because I wanted a place that had great academics, but also I place I could develop deep connections. Rice had the small school vibe I was interested in and has also provided me with so many resources to succeed post college.Interests: ARTS, CULTURE, MUSIC, SOCIAL JUSTICE
Isabella G. '27
San Antonio, Texas
Residential College: Sid Richardson
What is your favorite Rice experience?
One of my favorite memories is from a unique tradition to my residential college. Sid hosts "elevator chats" a few times a semester, where a few students sign up to sit in the elevators and do some kind of activity. For an hour, my friends and I rode the elevator in our pajamas handing out milk and cookies to anyone who came in the elevator. We had so much fun and got to chat with so many people!Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, SOCIAL JUSTICE, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Jaylin '25
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Residential College: Sid Richardson
What is your favorite question to be asked on tour?
What is my favorite drink at Rice Coffee House? The answer is always the mango smoothieInterests: ARTS, CULTURE, MUSIC
Jihra '27
Dallas, Texas
Residential College: Wiess
What is your favorite question to be asked on tour and why?
I love being asked about how I feel supported as a student here at Rice. It seems so silly when I think the anxiety I felt to make this transition into college life and wondering how to succeed at such a prestigious institution. Since matriculation i've had access to some incredible resources and initiatives that not only made me feel valued and welcome but equipped for success. Similarly our culture of care here has made me feel comfortable in embracing my identity and empowered to thrive.Interests: ATHLETICS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, RESEARCH
Josh '25
San Francisco, California
Residential College: Martel
What is your favorite question to be asked on tour and why?
My favorite question to be asked on tours is anything related to studying abroad at Rice. Studying abroad is a unique experience that I was fortunate enough to be able to do during the summer after my freshman year. It is a great opportunity I would recommend to any student, which is why I enjoy talking about it on tours.Interests: ATHLETICS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL
Krish '26
Denver, Colorado
Residential College: Sid Richardson
What is your favorite question to be asked on tour and why?
"What is your favorite part about Houston?"
This is my favorite question to answer because I love to highlight the amazing diversity of Houston and how fun it is to interact with the diverse cultures and people from Houston. For example, Houston has some of the best Pakistani, Indian, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, Brazilian, and almost every international cuisine in the entire United States in our city and it is so fun to go and try these different foods and restaurants. I always shoutout Hillcroft (Little India) and Chinatown as some of the best places to get food in Houston, plus they are super accessible to Rice students for free by the Houston METRO public transit system! "Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, RESEARCH, SOCIAL JUSTICE
Kushal '25
Houston, Texas
Residential College: Duncan
What is your favorite Rice experience?
My favorite Rice experience is when I drove up to my college dorm during Move-in day at O-week. The excitement and buzz all around me was indescribable. All the advisors yelling my name and my own advisors leading me to my room was a moment I will never forget. Little did I know that I was about to enter what would become the place I cherish so much.Interests: ATHLETICS, CULTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL, RESEARCH
Lara '25
Houston, Texas
Residential College: Duncan
What is your favorite question to be asked on tour and why?
My favorite question to be asked on tour is: “What is your favorite part of being at Rice?” I love this question because my answer changes every tour. One day my favorite part may be a super interesting class I’m taking, the next it’s the Karaoke we did in the commons, or laughing with my friends while walking to the Zoo. There are so many different aspects of the Rice experience that I enjoy and being able to share all of these moments with prospective students is so much fun.Interests: COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, RESEARCH
Layal '26
Saar, Bahrain
Residential College: Wiess
Why did you choose Rice?
I chose Rice because it encapsulates everything I've dreamt of in my college experience. The intimate and collaborative learning environment ensures close interactions with professors and peers, fostering meaningful connections that extend beyond the classroom. The residential college system creates a tight-knit community, offering diverse perspectives and a supportive network. I knew that Houston's diverse culture and endless activities would enhance my college experience, providing a balance between academics and real-world exposure. The idea of internships, cultural events, and the chance to engage with industries relevant to my studies excited me. It's like getting the best of both worlds – a tight-knit campus and a bustling city right next door.Interests: ARTS, CULTURE, MUSIC, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Lily '25
Henderson, Nevada
Residential College: Hanszen
Why did you choose Rice?
There are many reasons why I chose Rice! While it may sound cliche, my tour of Rice and the people that I interacted with on my tour were one of the major factors that made me fall in love with Rice. Everyone that I interacted with was so nice and hospitable, they really made me understand the sense of collaboration and community that Rice lauds itself on. Additionally, as an FGLI (First-Generation Low Income) student, Rice's financial aid awards made it so I could still attend a top-tier university without worrying about how I was going to have to pay for such an education. There is a variety of other resources that Rice offers for students such as myself, meaning that I have been able to experience the university in the same way that anyone else has the opportunity to do so. Although there are many other factors that made me choose Rice, these are definitely the top two!Interests: ARTS, ATHLETICS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE
Lívia '26
Brasilia, Brazil
Residential College: Lovett
Why did you choose Rice?
I chose Rice because of its academic reputation, diverse student body and financial aid. I came in knowing that I would study Astrophysics and Rice is one of the best schools for that. Rice is also one of the only schools that has a long lasting connection with NASA and the space industry in general so that made me even more excited to apply here. I also wanted to meet other international students like me and Rice gave me that opportunity with a student body that has people from all the 50 states and 100+ countries. Finally, without the International Student Grant I wouldn't be able to afford the cost of an undergraduate degree in the US, so the financial aid I got was also vital for me to choose Rice.Interests: CULTURE, RESEARCH, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Luisa '26
El Paso, Texas
Residential College: Hanszen
Why did you choose Rice?
I thought the residential college system was quirky and would help build a community outside of home. Since I had been in my hometown all my life, I was worried about making new friends and building a support system, and I thought Rice did a really good job in having so many communities to get involved with on campus. Also, as someone who wasn’t sure about what I wanted to major in or pursue as a career, I thought the distribution system and ease of changing majors would allow me the flexibility to explore all the paths that interested me.Interests: ARTS, CULTURE, MUSIC, RELIGION
Luke '25
Knippa, Texas
Residential College: Duncan
What is your favorite Rice experience?
I have had so many amazing experiences here at Rice! If I had to choose it would be the first time I participated in my favorite Duncan college tradition which is Thirsty Thursday. Thirsty Thursday is a tradition where every other Thursday we go up to one of the suites and get a milkshake! It is so much fun interacting with all of my friends and meeting new people through an amazing frozen treat. I had even more fun working at the event for the first time. You see you can volunteer to be a server and blend the milkshakes for everyone. It was so much fun talking and interacting with everyone in line while discussing classes or our favorite ice cream flavors (cookies and cream is the best hands down). This experience really embraced the sense of community there is at each residential college hence why the residential college system is my favorite part about Rice.Interests: ARTS, ATHLETICS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, RESEARCH
Mark '25
Savage, Minnesota
Residential College: McMurtry
What is your favorite question to be asked on tour?
I love giving restaurant recommendations! One of my favorite restaurants is CoCo crepes, within walking distance from campus. Rice Village has many other great lunch and dinner options, including Tiger Noodle House and Velvet Taco. If you are looking for something even closer to campus, Brochstein Pavilion is a great place to relax and enjoy a tasty sandwich.Interests: ARTS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, RELIGION, STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Maya '26
Houston, Texas
Residential College: Sid Richardson
What is your favorite Rice experience?
O-week!Interests: ARTS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, CULTURE, RESEARCH
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