Winter Events

OISS is happy to organize events and activities during the summer and winter breaks. All international students and scholars, as well as their family members, are welcome to attend any and all of our activities. For more information, please see our Event Calendar.

Here is the schedule for the OISS 2023-2024 Winter Events! More information about all the events may be found below the picture. The schedule may change, so check back often!

OISS 2023-2024 winter events.

Winter Events 2023-2024

NASA Trip – Wednesday, December 13, 9:00am - 3:00pm

This event is sold out, we have no more tickets available!

As part of our winter events, OISS is excited to announce a fun trip to the NASA Space Center on Wednesday, December 13th. This will be an incredible experience filled with interactive tours and exhibits, offering a unique insight into Houston's renowned space exploration hub.

Date: Wednesday, December 13th
Time: 9:00am - 3:00pm
Meeting Point & Departure: We will leave Rice at 9:00am. Please plan to meet at the Lovett Hall Sallyport at 8:50am.
Return to Campus: We will leave the Space Center at 2:00pm and be back on campus by 3:00pm.
Ticket Information: Ticket costs $25 (including the entry fee, transportation, and 2.5% card transaction fee). Secure your spot by purchasing tickets at https://signup.rice.edu/oissnasa. We have a limited number of tickets, please make sure you purchase your tickets as early as possible!

Important Notes:
• No outside food is allowed in NASA. Ensure you have funds to purchase lunch during the visit.
• Be punctual: Arrive at the Lovett Hall Sallyport no later than 8:50am, as the bus will leave no later than 9:00am.
• Return to the bus no later than 1:50pm. The bus will leave Space Center Houston no later than 2:00pm. If you are late and miss the bus, you may have to take a cab/Uber.

Join us for this great opportunity to explore the NASA Space Center and expand your knowledge through captivating tours and exhibits. It's an experience you won't want to miss!

Visit https://spacecenter.org/exhibits-and-experiences to learn more about what you can do at Space Center Houston!
Get your ticket for the OISS trip at https://signup.rice.edu/oissnasa!!

Flyer for NASA trip winter event.

Holidays in PJs Holiday Party – Friday, December 15, 5:00 - 7:00pm

Get ready to jingle all the way! The Office of International Student Services and Scholars (OISS) is thrilled to invite you to our festive celebration, "Holidays in PJS." Join us on December 15th from 5:00pm to 7:00pm in the Miner Lounge for an evening filled with holiday cheer and international flair.

What to expect:
🎤 Karaoke
☕ Hot Cocoa
🍪 Food and Snacks
📸 Pictures with Santa

Dress code: We encourage all attendees to come in their coziest and most festive pajamas – because who says you can't celebrate the holidays in style and comfort?

Don't miss out on the fun! SPACE IS LIMITED. Please RSVP today by clicking on the following signup link: https://riceuniversity.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3w0jQEMl5vV7rE2

Let's make this holiday season merry and bright together. We look forward to seeing you there!

Flyer for holiday party winter event.

Post Winter Wonderlawn – Tuesday, December 19, 3:30 - 6:30pm

OISS is excited to invite you to join us for a delightful visit to the Post Winter Wonderlawn!

Event Details:
What: Post Winter Wonderlawn
When: Tuesday, December 19th at 3:30 pm
Where: POST Houston

We will embark on a journey from Rice (meeting point at Sallyport) to downtown Houston via METRORail, on December 19th at 3:30 pm, to witness a magical display of lights, festive decorations, and a joyful atmosphere.

As a special incentive, we are happy to let you know that OISS will generously purchase the first 10 tickets for international students/scholars who sign up!

Don't let this incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in the winter wonderland pass you by!

To sign up, please visit https://forms.gle/Zq8GJXpXB4ZSZjTYA. Let us know if you have any questions or concerns. We hope to see you there!

Winter event flyer.

Houston Museum of Natural Science – Thursday, December 21, 1:30 - 4:30pm

Join us for an afternoon of fun at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, one of the most popular museums for all ages. We will explore the Hall of The Americas with an expert tour guide (courtesy of OISS), then we can look at other exhibitions on our own, shop in the museum store or relax at the cafeteria.

We’ll meet at Sallyport, Lovett Hall at 1:30pm and walk to the museum together. Admission is free to the Permanent Exhibit but space is limited for the tour so please register to secure your spot at https://bit.ly/HMNS-OISS.

Winter event flyer.

POSTPONED to January 10th -- Art Walk and Sunset Light Sequence at the Twilight Epiphany Skyspace – Wednesday, January 10, 4:00 - 5:30pm

This event has been postponed due to weather conditions! The new date is Wednesday, January 10th.

Join us for a 1-hour walk to explore Rice buildings, and learn about some of the public art we have on campus. We will end our walk at the Twilight Epiphany Skyspace, where will sit down to watch the sunset and the 40 minutes Sunset Light Sequence display.

Date: Wednesday, January 10
Meeting place: Sallyport (Lovett Hall’s archway)
Time: We will meet at the Lovett Hall Sallyport at 3:50 pm, and will start the walk at 4:00pm sharp! (If you are late please try to join us! Our first stop will be inside the Allen Center, followed by a stop outside between the Allen Center and the Cambridge Office Building.) The Sunset Light Sequence will begin at 4:56 pm.
Cost: Free
No Registration needed!

Wear comfortable shoes and weather appropriate clothing. We will be going in and out of building and we will be seating outside for 40 minutes. You are welcome to bring warm or cold drinks in plastic or metal containers and snacks.

Flyer for art walk winter event.

For Summer Events in previous years, please click here.

For Winter Events in previous years, please click here.