Rice University has welcomed 31 Fulbright students from 20 countries this academic year, one of the largest groups of international scholars on campus. They join 60 returning Fulbrighters in the Fulbright@Rice community.
The cohort represents nations across six continents, including Argentina, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Hungary, India, Pakistan and the United Kingdom. The Fulbright Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, is one of the world’s most prestigious international exchange programs.
“This is one of the closest-knit communities we have at Rice,” said Seiichi Matsuda, Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, during a recent welcome event. “We’re very excited about the year ahead, and we’ll do lots of fun things.”
The Fulbright leadership group, known as “The Ring,” is led this year by Fulbright community leader Megha Bahl. She told new and returning students that the program is about more than academics.
“It’s all about community. It’s so exciting to see all of you from 20 countries this time, 31 people,” Bahl said. “This is a very unique community built with care and compassion. It’s not just lofty ideas, but trying to think of a more compassionate world.”
Students in the program say that the mix of intellectual drive and cultural exchange drew them to Rice.
“I got this opportunity through the Fulbright scholarship in Sri Lanka, and luckily, I landed in this beautiful university,” said Damith Priyadarshana, who is pursuing a professional science master’s degree in environmental analysis. “My main target is to learn more about carbon-capturing processes to do something for sustainability, and then go back to my country and give something back to my people.”
For many, the sense of belonging is as meaningful as the research opportunities.
“Something that I really like about Rice is that we have people from everywhere,” said Alan Salceda Monge of Mexico. “It’s a very international environment, and people are very open and kind. Fulbright is a very special group. Even though we’re from over 20 countries and more than 90 students, I know we can count on each other for almost everything.”
First-year student Evelyn Tecpa, also from Mexico, said she applied to Rice after hearing praise for its STEM programs and support for Fulbrighters. Now pursuing a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering, she is working in the Ming Tang Lab on battery research.
“I’m very excited to be part of a community that is so multicultural,” Tecpa said. “Meeting people from all over the world teaches me how to see the world differently. Everybody I’ve met here is so amazing.”
For Borbala Lovaszi of Hungary, who is studying biomedical engineering, the Fulbright experience has already exceeded expectations.
“We’re all different, but we have something in common: we are Fulbrighters,” she said. “That makes me feel more comfortable. People here are just so friendly, so kind, so helpful. I also like the campus. It’s really nice and green. I love it.”
Rice officials say the Fulbright students enrich the university community and serve as ambassadors for their countries.
Jennifer Hunter, Assistant Dean for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, who coordinates the Fulbright community at Rice, said the program’s value goes beyond academics.
“These students bring not only their expertise but also their cultures, perspectives and generosity of spirit,” Hunter said. “They enrich Rice in countless ways, and the friendships and collaborations they build here will last a lifetime.”