Summary
During my first week at Rice University, I met fellow SEED interns and Rice students, started exciting engineering projects, explored the campus, enjoyed group lunches, and visited the Houston Zoo. It was a great start full of learning, fun, and new friendships.
Hi, I’m Rahma Kahindi, a second-year Biomedical Engineering student from the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology in Tanzania. I’m incredibly honored to be part of the SEED Internship Program at Rice University this summer and deeply grateful for the generous sponsorship of Ms. Heidi Carson, who has made this opportunity possible.
This is my first time in the United States, and I’d love to share how my journey began and what the first week has been like. It’s been full of learning, connections, and exciting experiences.
My trip began late on June 4th when I departed from Dar es Salaam at 23:15 on a KLM flight to Amsterdam. After a layover, I boarded another KLM flight and landed in Houston on the morning of June 5th. The Texas heat welcomed me but even more warmly, so did the SEED team!
We were picked up by a friendly driver and taken straight to Rice University, where we met Michelle, our SEED coordinator. She gave us a tour of Martel College, our dorm, and we had lunch at the student center. It was wonderful to meet other interns and get a taste of American campus life.
On one of our first days, we had lunch with fellow interns and the students we’ll be collaborating with this summer. It was such a fun and welcoming experience we shared stories, laughed together, and really started to bond as a group.
We were also introduced to the Rice360° team, including Dr. Kelvin Holmes, who leads our work at the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen (OEDK). I’ve already begun collaborating with an amazing team of students and mentors from different backgrounds and disciplines.
Projects I’m Working On:
We received our project assignments on Monday, and I couldn’t be more excited! I’m part of two meaningful engineering teams working on:
- Egg Brooding & Monitoring System (The Eggcellent Imposter)
This is a conservation technology project where we’re developing a smart egg that mimics the behavior of real Attwater Prairie Chicken eggs. It monitors key parameters like temperature, humidity, and rotation to help protect this endangered species. - Autoclave Water Conservation & Heat Mitigation
In this project, we’re focused on designing a system that reduces water usage and heat emissions from autoclaves used in healthcare especially in low-resource environments. It’s all about sustainable, smart healthcare technology.
These projects are an amazing fit for my biomedical background, and I’m thrilled to apply both technical knowledge and teamwork in real-world problem-solving. We’ve even had early meetings with our clients, and their passion for their communities makes the work feel even more valuable.
Over the weekend, we got a chance to rest, explore Houston, and try new foods. One of the most exciting parts was our visit to the Houston Zoo, where we saw so many animals up close for the first time. It was both fun and eye-opening to learn about wildlife in a completely new environment!
One week in, and I already feel more confident, more curious, and more connected. I’m deeply thankful for this opportunity to grow, both personally and professionally and to contribute to projects that truly matter.
A heartfelt thank you to Ms. Heidi Carson your support is changing lives, and I’m honored to be one of them.
One week down. Six more to go. Let’s make it count!