MISTI France Home Page

With the fifth-largest economy in the world, France is home to thriving aerospace, nuclear, chemicals, ICT and pharmaceutical industries.

France's innovation clusters bring together world-class engineering schools and research centers with start-ups and global companies.

Each year through the MISTI France program, over 50 MIT students intern and conduct research in French companies and labs.

Program Opportunities

Internships

MISTI’s award-winning international internship program provides a one-of-a-kind, world-class experience for MIT students: the opportunity to gain real-life work experience in leading companies and labs around the world. Best of all, all expenses are paid, including airfare.

MISTI France matches students with internships and research at leading companies, research labs, and universities in France. Internships last from 2 to 6 months and are all-expenses paid. If internship duration is over 44 working days, the host site by French regulations will provide a stipend (Gratification).

MISTI internships are open to all MIT undergraduate students, including graduating students who may participate in the summer after their senior year.

Graduate students may be considered for internships in limited cases. For instance:

When the internship costs are mostly or entirely covered by the host, the MIT department, or some other source
When the internship represents a meaningful and unique first learning experience abroad
When the internship may lead to new opportunities for undergraduate students
When the graduate student agrees to serve as a mentor or provide training for undergraduate students
When the internship is connected to an MIT Global Seed Funds collaboration

GPA 4.0 or better
Language: https://student.mit.edu/catalog/m21Gd.html
Undergraduate students: French II or equivalent proficiency
Graduate students: No language requirement, basic French strongly recommended
Recommended
- Undergraduate students: One class on French culture, history or society
- Graduate students: No prerequisites
Mandatory Pre-Departure Preparation

Most MISTI internships take place over 8-12 weeks during the summer. However, internships are available year-round for up to 6 months.

For summer internships:
Dec 1: Deadline to complete MISTI Launchpad Application for priority placement
- Late applications are accepted up to March 15 if there are remaining placements at internship hosts, but host selection will be limited.
Dec 15: Deadline to finish MISTI France application for priority placement, including interviewing with MISTI France Program Manager, selecting up to 3 internship hosts of interest, and submitting introduction letters for each.
Oct – Mid March: Hosts interview candidates and send internship offers to students between October and mid March.
April – May: Visa process, housing search, and mandatory pre-departure training sessions.
Most internships take place in summer for 2 to 3 months, starting end of May/early June and ending in mid/late-August.
September 1 – Internship Report
2-6 months with flexible start/end dates outside summer are also available upon host site availibility.
First register in the MISTI France launchpad and then schedule a meeting with MISTI France Managing Director to go over your objectives and goals and to start your internship search/selection of host sites.

How to Apply

Program expenses covered (include airfare and a stipend to cover housing accommodation).

Host sites provide a monthly stipend (2 consecutive months- 44 working days/7 hours per day) to cover food/local transportation (amount variable based on French regulations and organization's internal policy).