Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions for the Rice Global Paris Summer Program.

Prospective Students

How can I join a Rice Global Paris Center course?

1. You must first apply for a course. To apply for a course visit https://global.rice.edu/rice-students. The review committe will review your application and let you know if you are accepted to a coures.

2. If you are accepted to particpate in course, we will provide you with information on how to register via the registrars office. Registration is by invitation only once accepted.

Is financial aid available for these courses?

Yes, if you already receive financial aid, you are eligible to receive financial aid for up to 9 credit hours a summer for two summer, at 50% of the tuition rate, i.e. if a Paris course is three credit hours and $3000 total tuition, eligible students would pay $1,500.

To find out if you are eligible, contact: fina@rice.edu. To learn more about summer financial aid requirements, please visit: https://financialaid.rice.edu/summer-students.

Is there any additional aid provided to students outside of financial aid?

Students can also apply to receive further tuition assistance and some international travel assistance from the Rice Global office. Please indicate that you need assistance in the course application.

I indicated that I needed financial aid and/or tuition/travel assistance in my application. When will I find out what type of aid is available for me?

If you are accepted into the course, your acceptance letter will include all financial aid and tuition/travel assistance awarded to you. Accepted students will have 1 week to decide on acceptance.

My parent is faculty/staff - will student remission be applied for the Rice Global Paris Summer Program?

Students with tuition remission cannot use it during the summer - it is only applicable for the fall or spring semesters.

What are the costs for the program?

$1,200 per credit hour ($3,600 Tuition for 3 credit hours or $7,200) + travel to Paris (approx. $1000 - $2500) + living expenses for 3 weeks (approx. $1000 - $1500) + miscellaneous expenses.

What costs are covered by the program?

The program will provide housing for all 3 weeks, local travel for coursework, course-set excursions/tickets, three group meals, and travel insurance.

What costs are not covered by the program?

Airfare to Paris, passport fees (if applicable), any visa fees (if applicable), ride to and from the airport, any travel/excursions/tickets outside of planned/provided couse-set travel/excursions/tickets (to be outlined prior to the course), International phone plans and/or SIM cards, incidentals, and most meals.

Can I apply for multiple courses?

Yes, you are welcome to apply to multiple courses, but you may only register for courses that you are admitted to, and you will not be accepted to multiple courses if their sessions overlap. If you receive Rice Global tuition assistance, assistance will only be provided for one session.

I don't have a passport, can I still apply for the Paris summer courses?

Yes, but if you are accepted, you will be required to apply for an expedited passport and provide a copy of your passport 2 weeks before your program start date in order to participate. Please note that you must have at least six months' validity remaining on your passport whenever you travel abroad. You can find more information here.

I am not an American citizen. Can I take part in this program?

Yes, as long as you are a full-time Rice undergraduate student, but always check with the Office of International Students and Scholars to make sure that there aren't any issues.

If you are not an American citizen, you may need to obtain a Schengen Visa in order to enter France. Please visit https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/who-needs-schengen-visa/ to learn if you require a Schengen Visa.

Do I need to speak French to take part in these courses?

No, all courses are taught in English.

Are there any information sessions about courses and the program?

Yes. You can find zoom recordings of each course information here https://global.rice.edu/rice-students.

What is the timeline for application and acceptance?

The deadline to apply for courses is January 26, 2024. Acceptance and waitlist decisions will be communicated to students the week of February 5, 2024 - the acceptance letter will include all financial aid and tuition/travel assistance awarded. Accepted students will have 1 week to decide on acceptance. Any waitlisted students will be notified of any decisions the last week of February/first week of March. .

Admitted Students: Pre-departure

What do I need to do to obtain my financial aid for the Rice Global Summer Program?

Students must complete a financial aid summer request form and submit it to the financial aid office in order for aid to be added to your tuition. The most up-to-date forms as well as information on the process can be found here: https://financialaid.rice.edu/summer-students. Your acceptance letter will provide more detailed information on this.

I was provided additional tuition assistance and/or a travel award from Rice Global. How does the process work?

Please refer to your acceptance letter for instructions on this process - it's on a case-by-case basis.

What do I need to have completed/submitted to Rice Global prior to departure?

Rice Global Paris staff will require several pre-departure forms and courses to be completed prior to departure. Please be attentive to any requests coming from them.

I don't have a valid passport, how can I get one?

Please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast.html to learn how to obtain an expedited passport. You are strongly recommended to choose the expedited option as passports have been taking longer than 11 weeks to process.

Please note: Rice Global will not pay for you to obtain or renew your passport.

I need a Schengen Visa, how do I get one?

The Schengen visa application appointment goes through VFS Global. VFS Global has several offices in the US, including one in Houston. To book an appointment and/or check for VFS Global office locations, go to https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/fra. You will need to create an account and supply your Schengen application number (generated on the website on which you completed your application). You’ll be able to select the location of the VFS center for your appointment as well as date and time.

• The host organization accommodating you is Rice Global Paris Center student residence. You can put the Martin Bernard residence address: 30 rue Martin Bernard, 75013 Paris, France. The address for the center itself is: 5 Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 75004 Paris, France.

• The "contact person" information – Please use the Paris Center’s Administrative Director information: Garry White, Rice Global Paris Administrative Director, 06 12 47 84 12 (from a French phone) or +33 6 12 47 84 12 from a US or other non-French phone, gwhite@rice.edu, 5 Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 75004 Paris, France.

Although the Schengen visa application fee is waived (i.e. on the day of the appointment they shouldn’t charge you an application fee because the purpose of travel is considered a “school trip”), you need to pay the appointment fee, which is around 30-40 USD (pay online as you schedule the appointment) as well as a courier service fee for the consulate to return your passport by mail (~38 USD, can be either paid online or on the day of the appointment).

Other things to note on the day of the appointment:

1. Have a detailed itinerary of travel - can be as simple as a Google doc (printed out).
2. Have proof of accommodation that spans your entire stay in the EU, i.e., from the day you enter the EU to the day you depart. Rice Global admissions letter will have this information listed which you can use during the application.
3. Have proof of insurance - Rice provides SOS international travel insurance, through which you can subscribe and generate proof of insurance coverage. Make sure the date stated on this proof spans over the duration of your stay. This proof can only be obtained once you have set up your SOS insurance - you need to get a "certificate of assistance" which can be obtained from the website directly. For questions on this email us at pariscenter@rice.edu

I’m an American citizen, do I need anything other than a passport to travel to Paris?

No, currently, as long as you have an American passport, no other requirements are needed to enter Paris. Please note that with a valid U.S. passport, you can stay up to 90 days for tourism or business during any 180-day period. Do not overstay! You must wait an additional 90 days before applying to re-enter the Schengen area. To stay longer than 90 days, you must have a visa. Visit here for more information.

How do I get cell phone service in Paris?

You can find an overview of this in our Canvas Course travel guide here. You may choose to purchase a local SIM card in Paris, but we recommend checking with your local mobile provider to see if they propose an international plan.

Current Students - FAQs after arriving in Paris

How do I get to the RGP residence from the airport?

Take a look at our Canvas Course travel guide for information on this. Use your netID to log in.

It is advised to take a taxi from the airport to the residence (62€ flat rate). It is not advised to use Uber/Lyft from the airport as they do not have a dedicated pick-up zone.

Public transportation is a cheaper option.

1. If you are staying at the Martin Bernard or Colonie residence, take the RER B to Denfert-Rochereau and change to metro line 6 and get off at the Corvisart station.
2. If you are staying at the Lucas residence, take the RER B to Cité Universitaire. You can either walk to the residence or take tram line T3a to Poterne des Peupliers.

Housing residences FAQs:

1. How to get into the student residences: Your Resident Assistant or a member of RGP staff will meet you at the residence upon arrival and show you to your unit. Each apartment key has the key to the individual apartment and a black electronic key fob which allows you to open the front door (and front gate, if your residence has one).
2. How do appliances work at the residences: There are instructions on how to use the stove, water heaters, and electric heaters pinned to the bulletin boards by the front door. It is advised to always turn off the lights, appliances, etc. before leaving your room to save energy.
3. What is included in each housing apartment: Each apartment has a bed with a pillow. The beds are made up with linens, pillowcases, as well as 1 towel and bath mat. The kitchen area includes a microwave, stove and sink with kitchen utensils, plates, glasses, and bowls (4 of each). There will also be dish soap and a sponge as well as a cleaning rag. Each unit has its own bathroom with a toilet, sink, and small shower.

What will I be responsible for providing for myself?

You are responsible for all daily expenses such as groceries, meals, shower products, laundry detergent etc.

Any other items not provided in the apartments that you may require such as an extral towel, tea kettle, coffee machine, etc. should be anticipated and brought or purchased onsite.

Will meals or a meal plan be provided?

Rice Global Paris will pay for 3 group meals, at dates/times designated by staff/faculty leaders. All other meals will need to be provided and paid for by the student as part of their living expenses.

What type of transportation will be provided?

Rice Global Paris will provide students with a monthlong pre-loaded metro card usable on metros, buses, trams and RER trains (in Paris and suburbs).

RGP is not covering outside personal travel.

All courses will involve a lot of walking. It is highly encouraged to travel on foot! For more information on getting around Paris, check out our Canvas Course travel guide using your netID to log in.

Will RGP pay for my personal excursions?

No, RGP will not pay for any personal excursions, tickets, transportation requirements, etc. RGP will only cover designated course excursions that will be defined prior to your arrival in Paris.