Rice Visit

Whew – we are back from visiting Rice University in Houston. I’m pooped.

Friday was packed. We were picked up at 9 AM, whisked to the university, and I was handed a schedule with a days worth of tours, faculty appointments, and meetings with graduate students. The purpose of the trip was to learn about what it would be like to be a graduate student at Rice.

Some initial thoughts:
- Rice’s campus is beautiful
- Houston is WAY better than people make it out to be (at least the area we were staying in). The weather and vegetation actually reminded me of South Africa, a plus.
- Ah, the comforts of the city: Buffalo Exchange, sushi, and easy access to alcohol. Can you believe that the campus has its own bar???
- Is a library tour with the librarian really necessary?


Rice is modeled after the British university system. Undergraduates live in “colleges” with a faculty member and his family. The architecture is very British as well. Both of us fell in love with the monastic influence in the architecture and educational set up.

As for the graduate program, I think I could do well there. I feel humbled by the opportunity to work with Elias Bongmba. He wasn’t there, but everyone testified to the gentleness I already picked up on by phone.

I did feel a bit intimidated in meeting various faculty members and having to pitch over and over again “my interests” and research plan. I couldn’t help but realize that I am entering the big leagues now, and I have my work cut out for me.

We still have some waiting, praying, deciding to do. As much as I want to speed up this process, I know it’s important to stay open and flexible and present. So be it.