Malak Soubai celebrated her 23rd birthday by opening the door to a new home and beginning a new chapter at Rice University.
Soubai, a master’s student in computer science originally from Morocco, arrived in Houston during graduate housing move-in week after an early morning flight from New York. Moving to a new city and state brought some apprehension, but the welcome she received quickly made an impression.
“I’m super, super happy to be at Rice,” Soubai said. “That’s something that I’ve been looking forward to during the entire application process and before that.”
Soubai was one of more than 450 students who moved into Rice’s three graduate housing properties ahead of the fall semester. Students arrived from across the country and around the world, many with family members and friends who helped carry boxes, unpack belongings and prepare their new homes.
For Soubai, the move represents a continuation of the academic interests she developed as an undergraduate. At Rice, she hopes to concentrate on artificial intelligence, machine learning or natural language processing.
“It’s a new city. It’s a new state altogether,” she said. “But I really like it here so far, and I’ve met the people, and they’re very welcoming.”
That sense of welcome was one of the main goals for Nyaa Bruce and the Rice graduate student housing team.
“This is my first move-in season here at Rice Graduate Student Housing,” Bruce said. “It’s a bit chaotic, but it’s super exciting.”
Preparation began well before the first students arrived. Rooms were cleaned and renovated, appliances and furniture were checked, and each resident’s information, identification and keys were prepared. Graduate resident assistants also sent reminders, assisted at check-in and helped students become familiar with their new homes.
“We really rely on our RAs, our resident advisors, to help us out with that process,” Bruce said. “They do a lot of the behind-the-scenes work.”
Creating a positive first impression was just as important as managing the logistics. Refreshments, decorations and personal assistance helped introduce students to the community they will call home during the coming academic year.
“I want the moment everybody walks through that door, I want them to be excited,” Bruce said. “This is your home for at least the next year while you’re in your program.”
The new residents brought a wide range of backgrounds and academic interests to Rice.
Daokang Jiang arrived from Beijing to study statistics. After landing in Houston that morning, he said he was looking forward to experiencing a new campus and a new way of life.
“The campus life, the study, everything is new for me,” Jiang said.
Ziao Li also arrived from Beijing to begin doctoral studies in music composition at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music. As the only new doctoral student in composition this year, Li said the program’s size will allow him to interact closely with professors, classmates and other musicians.
“It’s my first time living and studying abroad,” Li said. “It’s really exciting — the whole new atmosphere, the whole new environment, whole new music.”
Students also moved from across North America. Kelton Hopper came from Toronto to begin a master’s degree in bassoon performance at the Shepherd School. Although moving farther away from his family represents a major change, he said it also offers an opportunity to build a new community.
“I think it’s really exciting, and it’ll be a great opportunity to make new friends and live in a different part of the world,” Hopper said.
For some students, family and loved ones helped make the transition. Elizabeth Pawelka traveled from Washington state with her mother to begin doctoral studies in Rice’s Department of Physics and Astronomy. Pawelka, who has wanted to become an astrophysicist since high school, described the move as the next step toward becoming a scientist.
Facundo Toranzo arrived with his partner, Mariana, to pursue a doctorate in civil engineering. Together, they are beginning a new life in Houston while becoming part of the Rice community.
“We’re starting this new life, finding new things to do, finding new people to meet,” Toranzo said. “It’s something great.”
As boxes were unpacked and families said their goodbyes, Rice’s newest graduate students took their first steps toward the academic and personal experiences ahead. For Soubai, that journey started with a birthday she is unlikely to forget.
“It was a very smooth transition,” she said. “You feel supported.”