For Toavina Andriamanalina, the journey to Rice University took approximately 27 hours.
Traveling from Madagascar, Andriamanalina flew first to South Africa, then to New York before finally arriving in Houston. On Aug. 13, he joined around 400 new international graduate students for Graduate International Orientation, hosted by Rice’s Office of International Students and Scholars.
The mandatory orientation program helps new international graduate and graduate exchange students understand immigration regulations, graduate-specific policies and the programs available to support them at Rice. Students also met university leaders, learned about campus organizations and connected with classmates from around the world.
For Andriamanalina, the information offered practical guidance as he adjusted to life in a new country.
“The I-94, for example, I had no idea what it was at first,” he said. “But now I got some basic knowledge about the stuff I have to do.”
One of Rice’s record 35 incoming Fulbrighter students, Andriamanalina, will pursue a Master of Engineering Management and Leadership. He previously studied chemical engineering and worked in a management position in Madagascar. He chose the program to strengthen his management skills within an engineering environment.
His path to Rice also required persistence. Andriamanalina applied to the Fulbright Program three times before being selected. His application was shared with universities through the Institute of International Education, which helped identify Rice as the right fit.
“I ended up at Rice, ultimately,” he said.
At orientation, Andriamanalina said he was encouraged by the reception he received and the resources available through OISS.
“So far everyone is welcoming,” he said. “I can ask anything I want, and they will give me very valuable information. We also have great resources here, like OISS.”
OISS Director Kelia Hubbard welcomed the students and encouraged them to view the office as part of their support system throughout their time at Rice.
“We are dedicated to making sure that you have the best experience possible here at Rice University,” Hubbard said. “We very much appreciate you for choosing Rice University.”
Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Seiichi Matsuda also recognized the courage required to pursue an advanced degree in another country, far from familiar people, places and customs.
“Just by making that step, you’ve already proven yourself to be substantial people,” Matsuda told the students.
He also welcomed them to Houston, describing the city as a place where people from around the world can quickly feel at home.
“Houston is the most welcoming place that I’ve ever been,” Matsuda said. “Welcome to Rice, especially welcome to Houston. I hope that you’ll find this to be a great place to live.”
Students attending the program represented a wide range of academic fields and experiences.
Mia Hohmann, an incoming psychology doctoral student from Germany, said the orientation was especially valuable for students entering the United States for the first time.
“I think it’s really important,” Hohmann said. “Especially if you’re coming here for the first time, I think it’s super helpful to go over all these details.”
Facundo Montero and Clara Lucca arrived from Argentina to pursue graduate study connected to the energy sector. After only two days at Rice, Montero said the campus community had already made an impression.
“The community, the people, everybody has been super welcoming and super nice with us,” he said.
Lucca said orientation gave them a starting point as they navigated a new university and city.
“I think that it’s good guidance — where to start, which are the most important things that you have to pay attention to,” she said. “Now it’s time to start talking with people.”
For some students, orientation marked their first introduction to Rice. For Maria Dalibalta, it represented a return to a place she already knew well.
Originally from Lebanon, Dalibalta completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Houston and worked at MD Anderson before spending four years at Rice’s Genetic Design and Engineering Center. She is now beginning a new chapter at the university as a doctoral student.
Dalibalta said the orientation allowed her to see familiar Rice colleagues in a new light while experiencing the university’s international graduate community as a student.
“I’m always in awe of how diverse campus really is,” she said. “Everyone feels very included and seen, and there’s a lot of resources for everyone who needs this.”
After welcoming students who had traveled thousands of miles to experience Rice for the first time, the day came full circle with someone returning to the university she already considered home.
“Rice just feels like home,” Dalibalta said, “and I’m so glad to be back.”