Meet Bohan Zhang. Zhang is a second year Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of History at Rice University. Zhang is from China and is a Rice Graduate Ambassador. Ambassadors are students who represent the university and help prospective students gain knowledge of student life as a graduate student at Rice.
Zhang chose Rice as a graduate school because of his career plans to be a professor. His research focuses on the history of America's relations with the world, especially with East Asia. He explores not only diplomatic relations, but also intellectual exchanges, economic relations, and more.
When he is not conducting research, he is serving in various leadership roles within the Rice community. He is a residential assistant (RA) at one of the graduate student housing facilities.
Zhang advises prospective students to attend visiting weekends to get firsthand experience of Rice’s atmosphere before making a decision.
“Go to the campus visit to get the on-campus experience,” said Zhang. “That’s what helped me make my decision.”
Zhang advises current students to be aware of the non-academic resources available to them and use them wisely.
“It is better to get a gym membership earlier in the semester, and your meal plan is very important,” said Zhang.
Outside of academics, Zhang is a huge fan of Chinese folklore and enjoys eating at restaurants in Chinatown and visiting Big Bend National Park.
Graduate ambassadors can be contacted via email at gradambassadors@rice.edu. Bohan Zhang can be contacted directly by email at bz38@rice.edu.