Admitted Students Pre-Departure FAQs

To accept your spot, please confirm your decision via email by the designated deadline given to you. Your place in the program is not secured until you complete the three required steps below.

Step 1: Required Wellbeing Consultation

As part of the acceptance process, students are required to complete a wellbeing consultation with the Wellbeing Office. Please contact the office during the week you accept your offer to schedule the earliest available appointment that fits your schedule. This consultation must be completed within two weeks of acceptance and serves as an essential preparatory step for the Fall Semester in Paris.

If you are unable to get an appointment within this two-week window due to their availability, please notify us as soon as possible.

Final confirmation of your participation in the Fall Semester in Paris is contingent upon completion of the wellbeing consultation.

Step 2: Sign your participation forms

These forms are sent to you via Adobe Sign, you must sign and complete these forms by the listed deadline

Step 3: Pay Your Deposit

You must submit the $400 nonrefundable deposit, plus a 3% processing fee by the listed deadline.

Email is our main form of communication for all pre-departure requirements. Please read every message from globalowls@rice.edu carefully and pay close attention to the deadlines listed.

Once you have completed the three steps above and received confirmation from our office, you will be asked to complete the following required tasks:

1. Required Health Consultation: Schedule a travel health consultation with Student Health Services
2. Register for Paris Fall Semester program courses. These courses require instructor permission, so you will need to confirm your final course preferences in order to register. We will email with information on how to do this.
3. Passport: If you don’t already have one, apply immediately.
4. Visa Application:
   • Follow the guidance provided
   • Sign up for Visa Office Hours—Global staff can provide visa guidance. Sign up link will be provided via email soon after official acceptance.
5. Flights: Begin reviewing flight options and planning your travel to Paris. You are required to be in Paris no later than the program’s strict move-in date. Please plan your departure accordingly, keeping in mind that flights from the U.S. typically arrive in Paris the following day. You may choose to arrive in Paris earlier; however, any accommodations prior to the official move-in date are your responsibility. If you received a flight award, we will follow up with additional booking instructions.
6. Sign Forms: Complete all participation and pre-departure forms provided to you upon receipt.
7. Attend and complete: All required pre-departure information sessions and any pre-departure courses by the stated deadlines.

Keep track of your email deadlines—completing these items on time is required to participate in the program.

Yes. There will be a Zoom information session prior to the end of the Spring Semester. Please keep an eye out on email communication about this.

Yes. We have a RGP Travel Guide with very detailed information. You will be invited to this guide via CANVA via email.

Costs and cost breakdowns are listed on our Paris Fall Semester Program Page. If you are still unsure about any of these costs, please email us a globalowls@rice.edu

If you currently receive or are eligible for financial aid in Houston, you will have that same aid applied to this program.

If you have questions about your aid, contact the Financial Aid Office
📧 fina@rice.edu | ☎ 713-348-4958
Walk-in Hours: Mon–Thurs, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (CT)

This flight will be purchased directly by Rice Global on your behalf and is not a monetary award. Our staff will contact you early in the summer to confirm your departure and arrival dates and locations, and we will book the flight for you. Once booked, you will be able to select your seat, indicate any dietary preferences, and receive flight notifications directly from the airline.

Once you have confirmed your participation in the program, you may begin booking flights based on the program dates listed in your offer letter. The Paris Fall Semester has very strict move-in dates, and you must arrive within the approved arrival window tied to housing move-in and orientation.

Many students find it helpful to start by monitoring fares using tools like Google Flights price tracking before booking. If there is any chance your plans could change, we strongly recommend booking a refundable or flexible ticket.

In general, booking flights 3–5 months in advance for late-August travel from the U.S. is typical. Be sure that any flight you book aligns with Rice Global’s arrival and departure guidance.

You must arrive and depart according to the designated move-in and move-out dates indicated in your offer letter. You cannot move into or out of the student residence outside those dates.

If you are flying from the U.S., remember that most flights to Paris are overnight—you’ll depart the U.S. one day and arrive in Paris the next. Plan your ticket accordingly so that your arrival in Paris matches your assigned move-in date.

For departure, plan to leave Paris on your move-out date.

You may choose to arrive earlier or stay longer, but you’ll need to arrange and pay for your own housing for any days before move-in or after move-out.

You’ll need to apply for a U.S. passport as soon as possible. Visit travel.state.gov for instructions on how to apply or renew your passport and how to request expedited processing.

We strongly recommend choosing the expedited option, as standard passport processing can take 11 weeks or longer. You will need a passport for your visa application!

Please note that Rice Global does not cover the cost of obtaining or renewing your passport.

Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your return date from Paris (or any international destination). Many countries — including France — will not allow entry if your passport expires sooner.

If your passport will expire within that window, you should renew it immediately to avoid delays or complications with your travel, visa, or program participation.

Because passport processing can take 11+ weeks (or about 7 weeks if expedited), we strongly recommend submitting your renewal at least 3–4 months before your departure.

You can find detailed renewal instructions at travel.state.gov

Yes. U.S. citizens are required to obtain a French long-stay student visa for the Paris Fall Semester, as the program is longer than 90 days. All students are issued a VLS-TS visa (visa long séjour valant titre de séjour), which serves as both a long-stay visa and a temporary residency permit.

The validity of the VLS-TS visa is based on the length of your stay in France and typically ranges from 4 months up to one year. The visa application process generally takes up to 12 weeks, so early preparation is essential.

Full details and step-by-step instructions on how to obtain your visa can be found here:
Fall Semester Students Visa Guidance

If you are not a U.S. citizen, please reach out to us at globalowls@rice.edu for guidance.

Check out our Student Life in Paris page to learn about where you will live and learn.

Students are housed in Rice leased private student residences located in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, about a 30-minute commute to the Rice Global Paris Center.

Each student will have their own unit in one of these residences. Rooms will be assigned based on our living preferences questionnaire to ensure success in your living environment.

Please note that rooms vary in size and layout due to space limitations in Paris. Assignments cannot be changed, so please notify us before departure if you require specific accommodations.

Each unit includes:

• Private bathroom with shower
• Kitchen area with basic plates and utensils (you can cook your own meals!)
• Table or desk with a chair
• Bed with linens and pillow
• High-speed internet access

Residences also have shared washers and dryers available for use.

⚠️ Air conditioning is not standard in French housing. Fans are provided, and a few top-floor units may have portable cooling units.

For more details, review the RGP Travel Guide and Detailed Program Information Form provided via email.

Residence addresses:

• 30 Rue Martin Bernard, 75013 Paris
• 6 Rue du Docteur Lucas Championnière, 75013 Paris
• 5 Rue de la Colonie, 75013 Paris
• 10 Villa Daviel, 75013 Paris
• 27 Villa Daviel, 75013 Paris

• Bring comfortable walking shoes. The best way to get around Paris is on foot and by metro, and you will be doing a lot of walking throughout the semester.
• Bring a rain jacket or umbrella, as rain is common in Paris, especially in the fall.
• Pack lighter than you think you need. You will have access to laundry facilities in the residences, and you will likely accumulate items and souvenirs over the course of the semester.
• Plan for seasonal changes. Fall temperatures in Paris can range from warm in late August and September to much cooler by November and December. Layers are essential.
• Pack a few nicer outfits for academic events, cultural activities, or special occasions.
• You will need an electrical outlet adapter. France uses Type E outlets, which accommodate both grounded and ungrounded devices.
• Bring any prescription medication you will need for the entire semester, along with copies of your prescriptions and proper documentation.

Review the CDC travel recommendations for France prior to departure to ensure you are prepared and up to date.

We will share detailed guidance during pre-departure sessions and orientation. In general, you can expect the following:

1. Groceries & Meals: Nearby grocery stores and bakeries are within walking distance. Students can cook in their residence kitchens or eat at cafés nearby.
2. Transportation: The 13th arrondissement is connected by several Metro lines (e.g., Line 6 & 7). You’ll receive your Metro Card upon arrival.
3. Money & Banking: Most places accept credit cards, but keep a small amount of euros for markets or cafés.

Find helpful tips in our Canvas Travel Guide here:

https://canvas.rice.edu/courses/58010/pages/wifi-and-cell-phones

• Local SIM card vs. US international plan
  • A local SIM card is ideal for cost-conscious travelers staying 2-3 weeks or more, especially if you need high-speed data and local calls.
  • Your US international plan is better for convenience and if staying connected to your US number is critical. Contact your phone provider to learn about what they provide.

Living in Paris is both exciting and enriching — and as a Rice student, you are representing Rice University and the United States abroad. Your conduct reflects on you, your peers, and future Rice students who will participate in these programs.

We expect all students to:

• Act respectfully toward peers, faculty, staff, and local residents.
• Be mindful of cultural differences and local customs.
• Demonstrate professionalism and maturity during all program activities, excursions, and in public settings.
• Avoid disruptive or disrespectful behavior, especially in shared spaces and residences.
• Remember that Rice Global Paris collaborates closely with French institutions and communities, and maintaining positive relationships ensures continued opportunities for future students.

Being an ambassador for Rice means engaging with curiosity, humility, and respect — embodying the university’s values wherever you go.