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AANYA
Hometown: Dubai
Interests: Dancing, Tennis, Hanging out with friends, Watching TV shows.
Fun fact: I met an individual who lived through WW2 at the Air and Space Museum in DC.
Future goals: Pursue a career in the tech field.
Advice to new students coming to Rice: Don't let self-doubt get in the way! Be yourself and everything will work out!
Favorite thing to do in Houston: Explore the Natural Sciences Museum (there is soo much to do in there)
Favorite spot to study on-campus: O'Connor, outside Dandelion Cafe (provided its not too hot)
Anything else you wish to add? You guys got this! You deserve to be here and I can't wait to meet you guys!
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AMY
Hometown: Yongin, South Korea
Interests: Watching Formula 1, Playing Pickleball, Watching Rom-Coms, Baking.
Fun fact: I love color yellow.
Future goals: To build a happy family.
Advice to new students coming to Rice: Don't be afraid of anything - Just enjoy the moment!
Favorite thing to do in Houston: Houston Rodeo
Favorite spot to study on-campus: Outdoor seating at Dandelion cafe
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CAMILA
Hometown: São Paulo, Brazil
Interests: I love golfing, going on study dates with my friends, going out to try new food, and supporting my sport teams!
Fun fact: I had never tried a donut before coming to the US and now I am obsessed with it.
Future goals: Graduating Rice :) Becoming a doctor in the US, traveling around the world, visiting my family as many times as possible.
Advice to new students coming to Rice: Put yourself out there and do whatever you want, people here won't judge you! Don't be disappointed if you don't find your best friends during UIO or Oweek, you will meet plenty of people later on.
Favorite thing to do in Houston: THE RODEO!!
Favorite spot to study on-campus: McNair, Fondy rooms for late night studying, Outside Brochstein (anywhere but my dorm).
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CHASE
Hometown: Spokane, WA
Interests: I like Skiing, Photography, Backpacking, Designing and Traveling.
Fun fact: Every summer, I go backpacking with my dad and brother in the wilderness for a couple of days. We go out to different mountain lakes and explore the mountains in Idaho and Montana, usually in different places every year.
Future goals: Pursuing a career in Architecture or a design related field. Along with lots of traveling.
Advice to new students coming to Rice: Try to do everything at least once your freshman year, then decide what you actually liked.
Favorite thing to do in Houston: Going to Hermann Park next to my apartment, or exploring all the new places/events that show up in Houston.
Favorite spot to study on-campus: Kraft or Anderson Hall
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DOMINIK
Hometown: Osijek, Croatia
Interests: Athletics, F1, podcasts
Fun fact: I can speak 5 languages
Future goals: Finish a Master's in Mechanical Engineering
Advice to new students coming to Rice: Don't be afraid to ask questions
Favorite thing to do in Houston: Go to Hermann
Favorite spot to study on-campus: My room
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DVIYA
Hometown: Mumbai, India
Interests: I love reading, cooking and just walking around. I've also been getting into cricket recently!
Fun fact: I speak 4 (and a half and a half) languages, and hope to learn more!
Future goals: Do meaningful research, travel around, and learn to cook food from different cuisines.
Advice to new students coming to Rice: We're here to help; let us know if there's anything we can do!
Favorite thing to do in Houston: Walk around Hermann Park, the museum district, and Montrose + go to Hillcroft to eat desi food.
Favorite spot to study on-campus: Ray courtyard, the patio outside Brockman hall, Kraft hall top floor
Anything else you wish to add? I'm very excited to meet y'all!
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ELLA
Hometown: London, England
Interests: Swimming, travelling, reading, baking and hanging out with friends.
Fun fact: I have raced Katie Ledecky.
Future goals: I want to swim at the Olympics.
Advice to new students coming to Rice: Embrace new experiences and activities. It's a great way to meet new people and everyone is super friendly and welcoming!
Favorite thing to do in Houston: Swimming outdoors and trying new restaurants.
Favorite spot to study on-campus: Brochstein.
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GREGOR
Hometown: St Albans, United Kingdom
Interests: Video Games, Rugby, Formula 1, Classical Studies
Fun fact: Although I have been to hospital a dozen times, I have never actually broken a bone
Future goals: To be content with life at whatever stage I have reached, because I have no idea what else I am going to do.
Advice to new students coming to Rice: Allow yourself to make mistakes. When you start, there is no pressure, so allow yourself to mess up and try again. And always pick yourself back up if you have fallen down.
Favorite thing to do in Houston: Go to the Zoo (right next to campus and FREE for students!)
Favorite spot to study on-campus: 2nd Floor of Fondy in the study nooks next to the stacks
Anything else you wish to add? Look forward to seeing everyone back in the fall.
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JESSICA
Hometown: Suzhou, China
Interests: Baking; Hiking; Biking; Trying new things
Fun fact: I can sleep 10+ Hours a day and I’m not a night owl
Future goals: Have an adventure dog.
Advice to new students coming to Rice: Say yes when you are hesitant, the worst thing that could happen is a no, but don’t forget to say no!
Favorite thing to do in Houston: Going out to try out new restaurants.
Favorite spot to study on-campus: O’Connor
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JULIANA
Hometown: Macaé, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Interests: I love people, game nights, rollercoasters and orangutans (preferably in separate scenarios)! Other than that, I am super interested in social justice and education!
Fun fact: My elbows can bend inwards.
Future goals: Travelling the world while designing meaningful social and learning experiences!
Advice to new students coming to Rice: Sign up to random events and outdoor trips, get out of your comfort zone!
Favorite thing to do in Houston: Go check out the sea lions in the Houston zoo (they are adorable, and for you it's for free!)
Favorite spot to study on-campus: Fondren 6th floor!
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KEVIN
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
Interests: Basketball, Weight Lifting, Eating
Fun fact: I served in the Korean military for 18 months.
Future goals: Become a full-time engineer/researcher solving real-world problems in imaging.
Advice to new students coming to Rice: Try new stuff, step out of your comfort zone. First year at Rice is the best time to experience new activities and hang out with friends.
Favorite thing to do in Houston: Watch the Houston Rockets game at Toyota center.
Favorite spot to study on-campus: Fondy
Anything else you wish to add? Welcome to Rice!
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KENZA
Hometown: Rabat, Morocco
Interests: Tennis, weightlifting, soccer, languages, and city trips
Fun fact: I am 100% caffeine resistant (actually). I have my 4th coffee of the day at 10pm
Future goals: Work as an MBB consultant in Miami
Advice to new students coming to Rice: Take time to figure out what you like. Don’t stress, you’ll eventually find your people and there’s always a way to change your major if you want to. Things may not go exactly as you planned, but everything eventually works out!
Favorite thing to do in Houston: Taking random walks downtown and going to fancy restaurants
Favorite spot to study on-campus: BIC 2nd floor library at McNair
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LAURA
Hometown: Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Interests: Playing tennis, traveling, working out, and hanging out with friends.
Fun fact: I have visited more than 20 countries!
Future goals: Pursue a career in management consulting, earn an MD/MBA, and ultimately leverage both clinical and strategic expertise to launch my own medical practice
Advice to new students coming to Rice: Be open-minded, and get involved! Don’t be afraid to try new things, especially during your first year at Rice. Take the time to explore what you are passionate about, and enjoy your experience!
Favorite thing to do in Houston: Explore Houston, whether it be restaurant-hopping or walking around Hermann Park.
Favorite spot to study on-campus: Gibbs Gallery in McNair & O'Connor
Anything else you wish to add? I can’t wait to meet all of you! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or if you just want to chat:)
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MARY
Hometown: Beijing, China (I live in Zhuhai now)
Interests: I love music! I love listening to music, playing music, and I'm always down to go to concerts together! I also love playing badminton with my friends and watching SNL while eating some ramen.
Fun fact: I volunteer at Rice's radio station ktru! (you should join too)
Future goals: Be employed, learn how to properly play the guitar, and solo travel the world!
Advice to new students coming to Rice: 1.Be open-minded! There are so many opportunities on and off campus that are waiting for you.
2. Reach out! It is so normal to come into college feeling confused and lost, but Rice equips us with so many resources that you can reach out to, such as the OISS, your college Magisters and RAs, the Office of Academic Advising, The Center for Career Development, The Wellbeing Office, The Counselling Center etc. So please, make the most out of your tuition and let them help you.
3. Take care and stay true to yourself! Your well-being should ALWAYS be your first priority. Don't be afraid to say no to things that don't align with your values and yes to things that do.
4. You will be given 100 tetra points each semester, you can spend them on on-campus food. Use them wisely.
Favorite thing to do in Houston: Bellaire trips are always the best!
Favorite spot to study on-campus: Kraft 4th and the little courtyard outside of Chaus
Anything else you wish to add? I can't wait to meet y'all!! Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns because we are here to help YOU!
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MEHUL
Hometown: Doha, Qatar
Interests: Tennis, Soccer, Fifa, Slope Run, Watches and Perfumes, Jet Skis
Fun fact: I love Dominos.
Future goals: I'm a finance and statistics major, so probably work in consulting or venture capital in future.
Advice to new students coming to Rice: Get involved in as many things as possible!
Favorite thing to do in Houston: Mini Golf and Walk to Rice Village with friends on the weekends.
Favorite spot to study on-campus: 2nd floor study room at Sid
Anything else you wish to add? I'm so excited to meet y'all.
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PARNIKAA
Hometown: Bahrain/Chennai (Canadian by citizenship)
Interests: Collecting bags & jewellery, traveling, music, art, Indian mythology, watching cricket & movies, and hanging out with friends!
Fun fact: I've lived and went to school in 5 countries!
Future goals: Travel the world and pursue a career in business/consulting & later explore entrepreneurship.
Advice to new students coming to Rice: This is your new home, everyone is happy to help :) Be as involved and open as you can & surround yourself with people who make you happy!
Favorite thing to do in Houston: Cafe hopping with friends and exploring new restaurants & malls.
Favorite spot to study on-campus: Dandelion Cafe!
Anything else you wish to add? I can't wait to welcome all of you! Feel free to reach out anytime :)
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PEDRO
Hometown: Porto Alegre, Brazil
Interests: Soccer, dogs, neurotech, Bossa Nova, and sitcoms.
Fun fact: I know the flag of every country in the world.
Future goals: Run a marathon, travel the world, start a family, and help people regain their autonomy through neurotech.
Advice to new students coming to Rice: Embrace the new and the unknown, but never forget where you're from. Make sure to put yourself out there, get involved on campus, and make friends, but always leave some time to contact your friends and family back home.
Favorite thing to do in Houston: Go to sports games and try new cuisines/cafes.
Favorite spot to study on-campus: O'Connor basement/McMurtry commons
Anything else you wish to add? Feel free to reach out if you need anything. Welcome to Rice, and I can't wait to meet y'all!
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SHOHAM
Hometown: Bangkok (Thailand) & Hong Kong
Interests: Rugby, biking, cooking and all kinds of music!
Fun fact: I've never eaten kiwi.
Future goals: Currently studying computational physics/applied math, I hope to develop simulation algorithms and pursue tech entrepreneurship or finance.
Advice to new students coming to Rice: Always find time for your friends!
Favorite thing to do in Houston: Finding new bike routes and exploring the food scene.
Favorite spot to study on-campus: My room or BioScience Research Collaborative 9th floor lounge.
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SIERRA
Hometown: San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago
Interests: Exploring the realm of sustainable energy (join the wind energy club!), hanging out with friends, building lego sets, learning Spanish, dancing.
Fun fact: I love playing online word games, including Wordle, Duordle, Quordle, Octordle, and any of the IMessage games, so hmu if you wanna duel!
Future goals: To work in the sustainable energy industry and be fluent in at least one other language.
Advice to new students coming to Rice: Your introduction to Rice can be a bit overwhelming (speaking from experience!). Be kind to yourself and give yourself time to adjust, and by the end of first semester, you'll look back on everything and see all of the wonderful memories you made along the way :)
Favorite thing to do in Houston: Going to Rice Village after classes or on the weekends with friends (Sweet Paris, ShareTea, and Sixty Vines are some of my faves)
Favorite spot to study on-campus: Fondren 1st floor, or right outside Dandelion Cafe if the weather's nice.
Anything else you wish to add? Can't wait to see you blossom at Rice! Let me know if you ever need anything, I'm happy to help!
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