<p>Is there any writing program in Rice? Are first--year students required to take any writing classes?</p>
<p>Yes! It has actually just been revamped, which is why you can’t find a lot of information on Rice’s website at the moment. Starting this fall, all incoming students will be required to take 1 Freshman Writing Intensive Seminar. They will be small courses capped at 15 students offered in all sorts of disciplines but each having a strong writing component. If you do not pass the composition exam given over the summer, you will need to take a remedial writing course before enrolling in a FWIS. Freshman will NOT be able to take these classes pass/fail - they will be graded for all. Furthermore, freshman will NOT be able to drop these classes after the 2nd week of class. (Every other class first semester freshman are able to drop until the last day of class.)</p>
<p>Hope that helps and let me know if you want more information.</p>
<p>Wow, that sounds so great! As an international student, writing classes can definitely help a lot! (BTW, since you mention, when I search the Rice website, I noticed that there is not much information. I dont know why but I kind of feel disappointed because I really like Rice a lot and believe Rice can provide students with very unique and caring experience)
Hows the studying abroad programs in Rice? Are students required to take the specific language courses in order to study abroad? How many countries can they choose and usually how many students would take one year abroad. I’d really like to go to another country(lets say Spanish) to experience more, but I also plan to apply law school after graduation. I am worried I cant get high grades in Spain because of my limited Spanish level. What would you suggest?</p>
<p>Thanks for your warm help, it really helps me a lot!</p>
<p>I actually studied abroad in Spain, and I’m not sure if that is where you want to go or if you were just giving an example but I can share what I know. The study abroad office is pretty organized, you have to go to a meeting called Step One and then you will be set up with an advisor for the region of the world you want to go to and they will help you find a program. Rice doesn’t have it’s own study abroad programs so you participate in outside programs (look up API, ISA, CIEE). You can see all of the locations and programs that Rice supports here: [Rice</a> University Rice International Programs](<a href=“http://abroad.rice.edu%5DRice”>http://abroad.rice.edu) . These programs differ on their language level, so the program I did was open to all levels of Spanish speaking. I took through SPAN 202 here at Rice because I thought I would get more out of it if I knew more of the language. But it is definitely not a requirement and many programs have options for beginners. You will probably have to take classes on the language while you are there, but this is generally a good thing because otherwise you won’t be able to communicate with a lot of people at all.<br>
I don’t know how many people decide to do a year abroad rather than just a semester (I only did a semester) but I do know that it is allowed and possible. Some of the programs are set up to be year-long. And you could do two different locations and programs if you wanted to as well. Finally, there is absolutely no reason to let worries about grades affect your study abroad decision. First, no program is going to throw you into classes that are above your language level. Most give you a test to determine your level and then will let you know what classes you can take (and many offer at least some classes in English - I ended up taking one class in English in Spain and 3 in Spanish). Also, all of your study abroad grades are transferred back to Rice as pass/fail grades, so as long as you pass, these grades don’t affect your overall GPA. You would likely have to provide your study abroad transcript to law schools, so I wouldn’t totally slack off, but again your GPA won’t be affected. Also it was my experience and that of other people who studied abroad that these classes are generally easier than those at Rice (less work, easier tests, etc.). This may not be true for all programs but it seems that they want you to be able to enjoy the country and experience the culture rather than be stuck worrying about your schoolwork the whole time.</p>
<p>I hope this helps and feel free to ask me any other questions you might have on this topic!</p>