Christine was tasked with assessing the viability of repairing the Giza Zoo Bridge, a historic structure designed by Gustave Eiffel that had deteriorated over time and suffered damage in the 1992 earthquake. Drawing on her MIT structural engineering knowledge, she developed models, drafted bridge plans, and problem-solved technical challenges. Through this internship, she not only refined her technical skills in steel design and structural modeling but also discovered the importance of collaboration and communication in translating complex engineering solutions. Her experience transformed her career vision, revealing that her role as an engineer extended beyond designing new structures to preserving engineering heritage and honoring the legacies of those who came before her.
Christine's Story
Christine Tang interned at ACE, a leading engineering consulting company in the MENA region. Building on her first MISTI experience, she grew in cross-cultural collaboration and navigated workplace dynamics with notable sensitivity.
“Getting to play celebrity when I meet kids on the metro or in the street is fun. Forming deep friendships with Egyptians at church has given me a window into Egyptian culture that you cannot get as a tourist. There is a level of warmth in the office that stems from Arab hospitality. This experience has made me more confident that I can live outside of the US long-term. This opens the door to career opportunities that I will not get if I choose to stay in America.”Christine Tang '26
Major & Class Year
Structural Engineering, 2026
Internship Host
ACE Moharram Bakhoum
Location
Cairo, Egypt
MISTI Program
MISTI Arab World Internship