Grad Ambassadors | Blog

Grad School Tips


By Daniela Hikari Yano. Making friends in graduate school through club sports

By Facundo Arredondo. Here are some tips I have learned about moving around in Houston and Rice University.

By Arthur Steve Tchoneteck. Choosing a graduate school like Rice University offers numerous advantages due to its exceptional qualities, diverse programs, student body, city environment, and other opportunities.

By Arthur Steve Tchoneteck. Being a Graduate Student Ambassador at Rice University entails serving as a representative and advocate for the graduate student community.

Tuesday, Jun. 11, 2024

Play the Network Effect

By Juan Segundo Hevia. Networking: The Missing Task in the Arrival Checklist!

By Carly Graverson. Below are 7 pizzerias that Carly believes are on their way to making Houston a “pizza city.”

Saturday, Jun. 8, 2024

A Runner’s Guide to Houston

By Annie Finneran. Routes and tips for the heat and sprawl

By Emily Elia. Having a personal website is crucial for academics to showcase their CV, research, teaching, and projects, as it provides essential information for colleagues and increases awareness of their work and brand.

By Yuya Nakatani. The International Buddy Program (IBP) is a mentorship program designed to support incoming international students who are about to start their graduate life at Rice University.

By Michelle Duran Chaves. The Doerr Institute for New Leaders has shaped my journey through my Ph.D. program.

By Carly Graverson. Starting a business as a non-business Ph.D. student can be a daunting yet rewarding endeavor.

By Fernanda Morales-Calva. The goal of the CTE at Rice University is “[to foster] outstanding teaching through evidence-based practices, strong community building, and research in pedagogical sciences.”

By Manuel Carmona Pichardo. Technology is your friend. Take maximum advantage of it during your graduate studies!

By Bohan Zhang. I live in Rice Graduate Student Housing and here are the reasons why I love it!

Six international Fulbright students share how EPMP nurtures their career aspirations in a culturally rich environment.

By Bohan Zhang. Northwest cuisine encapsulates the rich flavors of the northwestern region of China, encompassing areas such as Xinjiang, Gansu, Shaanxi, Qinghai, and Ningxia, among others.

Beginning Fall Semester 2024, graduate support over 12 months will increase to a minimum of $34,000.

By Fariha Ahmad. Preparing to give a presentation at a conference can be intimidating the first time you do it. Here are some personal experiences from my first conference!

By Manuel Carmona Pichardo. The pedestrian guide to surviving and thriving in Houston without a car of your own.

By Carly Graverson. Carly interviews David Solti, a recent Rice graduate, about his job as a flight controller at NASA.

By Sathvik Ajay Iyengar. As an international Ph.D. student (Indian Citizen), I have navigated the challenging landscape of fellowship applications and successfully secured two prestigious fellowships!

By Sathvik Ajay Iyengar. In this blog, we will delve into the intricate world of PhD fellowships, exploring eligibility criteria, application processes, and shedding light on my journey as an international PhD student.

By: Dinora N. Rodriguez. To be our best selves, we must maintain our mental health, just as we maintain our physical health through exercise and regular checkups.

By: Carly Graverson. Incorporating mindfulness into your daily grad school routine can serve as a powerful antidote to feeling overwhelmed, offering clarity and resilience in the face of challenges.

Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023

Houston’s Northern China Cuisine Map

By Bohan Zhang. Houston boasts numerous restaurants where you can savor the flavors of northern China! 

By: Manuel Carmona Pichardo. In this blog, I will discuss the importance of work-life balance in graduate school, including some common barriers and practical tips to help establish this balance.

By Bohan Zhang. This blog will introduce the characteristics of different regional cuisines in Southern China, and I'll recommend restaurants that I find authentic.

Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023

Where to find delicious food in HTX!

By: Esther Jimenez. In this blog, I'll explore fantastic food options around the Rice campus for those without transportation and share my favorite coffee shops and restaurants outside the outer loop worth the drive.

Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023

Exploring Historic Houses in Houston

By Bohan Zhang. With stories hidden behind the elegant facades, these historic houses were living testaments to Houston’s past, offering visitors a captivating journey through time.

By: Alejandra Osejo Varona. This is the story of Diego and Marcela, who belong to one of the families that live near the hippos on the grounds of the former Hacienda Nápoles, a large farm owned by drug trafficker Pablo Escobar.

By Bohan Zhang. Houston and its surrounding areas are home to numerous historic sites that offer a deep dive into the Lone Star State’s rich history.

By Sathvik Iyengar. In this blog post, we'll explore six ways to seamlessly fit music and arts into your graduate student life, with a personalized touch on my experiences.

By: Manuel Carmona Pichardo. This blog explores growth opportunities for graduate students, including the Doerr Institute, Career Development, Wellbeing and Counseling Center, and other key resources.

By Bohan Zhang. Humanities Ph.D. programs differ by having students work with a committee rather than rotating in research groups, impacting how they contact potential advisors; here’s tailored advice for applicants.

By: Manuel Carmona Pichardo. Manuel explores essential questions to pose to both the principal investigator (PI) and the students in the research group before deciding to join them.

By Carly Graverson. Carly provides us with advice on how to get our presentation ready for GCURS.

By: Manuel Carmona Pichardo. Manuel explores how lab rotations work in a cohort-based graduate program.

Friday, Aug. 18, 2023

My GCURS Experience

By: Carly Graverson. Carly explores what GCURS is and provides insights into the application process, drawing from her own experiences.

By Annie Finneran. I am proud to say this was a successful field season. Overall, I have nearly 8,000 wildlife photos and over 800 hours of recordings.

By Eliana Cadena Semanate and Sarah Glass. On our first of four workdays we hiked many miles of mountainous terrain to visit the sources of the community’s water.

By Manuel Carmona Pichardo. At a crossroads with your decision? Let's dissect and discuss the five most talked-about “pros” of grad school.

By Chun-Ying Chao. I still remember the night I received the graduate school admission offer. It was midnight in Taiwan, and I was too excited to sleep.

GEM has helped thousands of students in engineering and natural sciences identify opportunities for career pathways in industry and academia, and supported them in securing funding for graduate education.

By Fariha Ahmad. Life as a Muslim student away from family and home can feel lonely. Here are some ways to connect with the Muslim community in Houston.

By Fariha Ahmad. Maintaining your health during your graduate career can be difficult; here are my tips for how to do both.

By Sathvik Iyengar. Building a sense of community on campus is crucial for graduate students to thrive academically and personally.

By Sathvik Iyengar. How do you go about contacting a professor who could potentially be your adviser?

Moore shares his interest, experience, and advice to prospective graduate students