Navigating the transition to graduate life in the US can take a lot of work for international students. Rice GSA and OISS offer the International Buddy Program (IBP) to support and guide incoming international students. I have volunteered as a mentor for this program twice (2022 & 2023), and I would like to advocate for the program by sharing my thoughts and experience on the program!
What is IBP?
The International Buddy Program (IBP) is a mentorship program designed to support incoming international students about to start their graduate life at Rice University. Program recruitment usually begins around June. After you sign up, you will be assigned to one of the current Rice student volunteers as your mentor. The program structure encourages you to engage in weekly or bi-weekly Zoom meetings with your mentor. The session serves as the place to ask questions and/or seek advice about your visa application, house hunting, class registration, etc. Additionally, we have multiple virtual social events where all IBP mentors and mentees join a Zoom meeting and play online games together! In the last two years, for example, we have played Kahoot!, Escape Room, pictionary, and codenames, which were so much fun!
Finally, you will attend a Graduate International Orientation (GIO) week when you arrive at Rice in August. During the week, IBP leaders host campus tours and assist you with setting up banking and cellphone services to help you start your life in Houston. You will also meet your mentors this week at our annual ice cream social and welcome party.
My experience as an IBP mentor
I know firsthand that starting a new life in a new place can be challenging. When I came to Rice, it was my first time in the U.S. I remember worrying about navigating cultural differences and was nervous about my language ability. In my second year, I decided to participate in IBP as a mentor because I wanted to support incoming international students who might have similar worries or concerns, ease their anxieties, and assist their smooth transition to graduate life. So far, I’ve mentored 13 students from different countries and have met students across various fields (like art history, global affairs, computer science, MBA) and other countries (China, India, Bangladesh, Japan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Belgium, etc.) through the IBP social events.
Why I advocate for the IBP
If you are a prospective international student, I recommend participating in IBP! It’s more than a program. It’s an excellent opportunity to talk with current and other prospective students, ask questions, and share your worries or concerns before arriving in Houston. Even if you feel that you’re already comfortable moving to Houston, in this program, you can meet new friends, enjoy playing online games, and learn about the diverse cultural representation at Rice. You’ll feel you are in the Rice community even before arriving in Houston!
If you are a graduate student at Rice, becoming an IBP mentor is a chance to give back, share your experiences, and support prospective Owls! Additionally, the program is an excellent opportunity to learn about different cultures worldwide and learn more about OISS staff and GIO leaders. The program represents our community at Rice well, where we embrace diversity, inclusion, and support for international students. I hope this blog inspires you to join IBP and help us grow the program!
About the author:
Yuya Nakatani is a current Ph.D. student in Chemistry. He got his B.S. in Engineering from Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan. Read more.
Further Reading:
For Fulbrighters in the Engineering Professional Master’s Program, Rice is home away from home
Two Ph.D. students selected to participate in Global Young Scientists Summit
From Scholar to Startup: Navigating Entrepreneurship as a Ph.D. Student at Rice University