G’day! Kia Ora! Australia and New Zealand are top performing nations from health to wealth, ease of doing business, and educational attainment. With strong links to the fastest-growing region in the world — the Asia-Pacific — Australia’s and New Zealand’s economies are set to prosper well into the future.  Established as a pilot program in 2013, MISTI Australia & New Zealand sends a select number of MIT students on internships to A&NZ labs and companies each year. MISTI ANZ is looking to establish industry and research partnerships that span the Asia Pacific and world. 

See MISTI Australia & New Zealand Newsletter for details.

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.

Cities where the program is currently most active include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Townsville (Great Barrier Reef), Adelaide, Perth, Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington.  We offer 10-12 week internships during the summer.  We also encourage students to explore exciting new hybrid Study Abroad + summer internship opportunities. 

  • Mandatory Pre-Departure Preparation
  • Minimum GPA of 4.0
  • Previous MISTI internship experience preferred
  • a course on globalization or the Asia Pacific preferred
  • Previous MISTI internship experience preferred
  • Informational meetings are available year-round. Contact program lead to schedule.
  • Complete the MISTI Launchpad Application – By December 1.
  • Schedule meeting with Country Program Managing Director – Due to the high number of student applications and inquiries, most meetings are small group Zoom sessions.
  • Commit to MISTI ANZ Program – Latest By April 1 (the earlier the better to secure program funding) 
  • Once approved, complete the Country-Specific Application – April 1 at the absolute latest.
  • Internship matching process – September to April 1, rolling thereafter.
  • Mandatory Pre-Departure Sessions – Mid-April to Late May
  • September 1 – Complete internship report

How to Apply

Study Abroad at prestigious Australian & New Zealand universities

Earn transfer credit and experience Down Under at prestigious Australian & New Zealand universities through Direct Enrollment.  See MISTI Program Discovery page for details.   Explore opportunities for longer stays Down Under with our new, hybrid Study Abroad + Internship option.  i.e. semester abroad + a summer internship.  

  • Study Abroad Application
  • Interview
  • Minimum GPA of 4.0
  • Mandatory Pre-departure Preparation

 

Exchange:

  1. Apply for MIT exchange for the term you wish to study. Go to the MISTI Portal, find your program, and apply before the deadline.
  2. MISTI will be in touch regarding an interview with the applicable MISTI Program Manager and major department.

Direct Enroll:

  1. Apply directly to the host university/program provider by their program deadline. (Their deadline may be earlier than the MISTI deadline.) 
  2. Apply to MISTI for MIT approval to study abroad before the deadline for the term you wish to study. Go to the MISTI Portal, find your program or use the Direct Enroll General Application to apply.
  3. MISTI will be in touch regarding an interview with the applicable Program Manager.

How to Apply

Financial Aid:

Financial aid can be used to study abroad during academic terms. Awards will be adjusted based on expenses such as airfare, living expenses, and local tuition costs. Students should meet with their financial aid counselor and a MISTI Program Manager at least one term before they go abroad to start planning how aid will be affected. MISTI and Student Financial Services will work together to gather and verify cost information . Based on this information, financial aid counselors will advise students on their adjusted financial aid packages and process any refunds accordingly.

Scholarships:

Click here to learn more about external study abroad scholarships.

Maddie at AIMS1

MISTI Australia Great Barrier Reef Initiative

 

See video of team of MIT Australia students interning at the Great Barrier Reef with the Australian Institute of Marine Science and James Cook University. 

MIT News Articles on this Initiative:

MIT-School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences news article:  "Expanding Horizons, One Adventure at a Time"

MIT News article:  "Understanding the impact of climate change on the ocean"

 

 

Margaret Haltom New Zealand

MISTI internship with Pūrangakura Kaupapa Māori Research Centre in Aotearoa New Zealand

Reflections and Insights from Pūrangakura Kaupapa Māori Research Centre in Aotearoa New Zealand
By Margaret Haltom, Ph.D Candidate, MIT Department of Urban Studies & Planning

Matt Johnston

Spanning Australia, China, and Southeast Asia with Solar Energy

Coordinating with a team of 23 people from more than 10 unique cultures, scattered across 11 countries in different time zones, Matt Johnston interned and now works for Okra Solar, bringing electricity to off-grid villages in Southeast Asia.  See MIT News article on Matt's MISTI Asia Pacific adventure.

Lot14

MISTI Collaboration with MIT Living Lab in Adelaide, South Australia

MISTI Australia is collaborating with the MIT Living Lab, which is bringing together students, researchers and commercial interests that are driving research in machine learning and innovation. The aim of the MIT Living Lab South Australia Initiative is to help bolster South Australia’s entrepreneurial activity across a range of industries and ensure that it remains at the forefront of global innovation and enterprise.

See news article from The Advertiser :  "Living Lab Launches in Adelaide" 

Video of the Opening Ceremony at the Lot Fourteen office in Adelaide  

Adelaide's The Advertiser news piece on MIT-Australia intern Casey Bussone's internship

Meet Your Program Manager

Contact Us
Sean McLaren Vale

Get in touch with Sean Gilbert, Managing Director for MIT-Australia | New Zealand | China | Singapore, to get your questions answered.

seang [at] mit.edu | 617-253-5068