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Program Opportunities

Locations

The MIT-Eurasia Program offers internships, research, teaching, and study abroad opportunities in Eastern Europe, the Baltics, Central Asia, and the Caucasus. Below is the list of countries we have most developed connections with. However, over the years we have also sent students to other parts of the region, including Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia. Students interested in Eurasian countries not listed below should not hesitate to contact us at mit-eurasia [at] mit.edu.

Located in the mountainous Caucasus region, Armenia is known for its rich cultural heritage, vibrant tech scene, and welcoming people. Armenia is a host of our Global Teaching Labs and summer internship program. Opportunities are offered to undergraduate and graduate students in all majors.

Featured internship hosts:

Located at the crossroads of West and East, Georgia is a country of centuries-old architectural monuments and highly developed international research. It is one of the most popular study abroad destinations among students from all over the world. Georgia is a host for Global Teaching Labs and our summer internship program. Currently opportunities are limited, but please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Featured internship host:

Kazakhstan is the world’s ninth-largest country and one of the most economically advanced in Central Asia. Guests and visitors are welcomed with incredible warmth and respect. Kazakhstan is a long-standing host of our Global Teaching Lab program. Please check out our Student Stories for examples of what MIT students have worked on in this country.

The largest of the Baltic states, Lithuania is situated on the Baltic Sea just across from Sweden. Called Jerusalem of the North (or Athens of the North), Lithuania is distinct with its diverse cultural traditions, baroque architecture, pristine nature, and healthy food. Openness to innovation, an increasingly digitized society, and recognition from hundreds of leading global companies – that’s Lithuania today. Things here get done quicker and better because the doers – from students and engineers to policymakers – are agile, ambitious, and driven by big ideas, whether it's gene and cell therapy, laser technologies, or advanced machine learning.

Internship hosts for 2025:

Ignitis Group is a renewables-focused integrated utility and the largest listed company in the Baltic states.

Innovative Medicine Centre is a state research institute focused on translating fundamental science into clinically relevant therapeutic and diagnostic strategies.

Kaunas University of Technology is an interdisciplinary university that houses two integrated research and business valleys, an AI Center, and a National Innovations and Entrepreneurship Center.

Klaipeda University is a dynamic multidisciplinary institution offering research opportunities in marine sciences, social sciences, and health. It is recognized among the top 200 global universities in oceanographic research.

Lithuanian Energy Institute is a public institution focused on research in power systems modeling, renewable energy, energy security, fuel cells, thermal physics, fluid mechanics, nuclear safety, and the simulation of complex energy systems.

Lithuanian Research Center for Agriculture and Forestry is a state research institute focused on R&D in agronomy, forestry, and related fields such as ecology, biology, and environmental sciences.

Lithuanian Railways is a state-owned group of companies, the largest in the Baltic States in terms of freight, passenger transport, and infrastructure management. In response to climate change, it currently focuses on reducing CO2 emissions, increasing energy efficiency, using renewable energy sources, and developing a circular economy. Internships are available in robotics, proactive maintenance, and data analytics (see more here).

Nature Research Center is a state research institute conducting scientific research and experimental development in the field of natural sciences.

Novian Technologies is a company with offices in five European countries and Africa that specializes in IT infrastructure, software development, and digitization services. 

Vilnius Academy of Arts is a state university that offers study programs in art, design, architecture, and art theory.

Vilnius University, the oldest and largest higher education institution in Lithuania, conducts research in science, technology, and humanities.

Vilnius Tech University is a leader in technological sciences, with a modern, career-focused approach to education.

Vytautas Magnus University is a research-driven university with about 100 ongoing projects in biotechnology, biophysics, technology law, education, sociology, philosophy, computational linguistics, language acquisition, bilingualism, and creative industries.

Internships

MIT-Eurasia matches MIT students with all-expenses-paid internships and research opportunities at leading companies and universities in Armenia, Lithuania, and other countries in Eastern Europe, the Baltics, Central Asia, and the Caucasus. Internships last for 8-12 weeks during the summer. MIT students of all class levels and majors are welcome to apply. 

  • GPA 4.0 or higher
  • Interest in Eurasia and passion for travel

Language

  • There is no language requirement

Courses

  • None required. Please see below for recommended courses

 

Program expenses, including airfare, visa, accommodation, and a stipend, are covered.

  1. Complete the MISTI Launchpad Application – by December 1 (early deadline for priority placement) or Feb. 15 (final deadline for summer)
  2. Interview with Country Program Manager – rolling (as soon as student completes MISTI Launchpad Application and contacts MIT-Eurasia Managing Director)
  3. Commit to MIT-Eurasia Program – rolling (within two weeks after student receives placement offer from MIT-Eurasia)
  4. Internship matching process – rolling (after interview with MIT-Eurasia Managing Director)
  5. Mandatory pre-departure sessions – March to May

How to Apply

We work closely with students to find a tailored project that matches their skills and interests. Participating students are required to attend 4-5 one-hour training sessions before traveling to the country.

Please see the list of recommended courses in Slavic Studies at MIT.

Please see the Locations tab for detailed information.

Global Teaching Labs

MISTI Global Teaching Labs offers a unique opportunity for MIT students to learn by teaching in schools in Eurasia over IAP. You will develop and teach extracurricular, usually STEM-focused, workshops, emphasizing MIT's "mens et manus" approach and using hands-on activities, experiments, and demonstrations. MIT students of all class levels and majors are welcome to apply. 

Open to any MIT students willing to fully commit to a challenging teaching project. Teaching experience is a plus.

  • GPA 4.0 or higher
  • Teaching experience or interest in education is a plus
  • No language or course requirements
  • Sept: Students apply for the program.
  • Oct: Pre-selected students are invited to interview shortly after application deadline.
  • Nov - Dec: Students selected to participate will attend pre-departure trainings.
  • Jan: Most GTL programs take place during the last three weeks of the month.
  • Feb: Students attend a mandatory re-entry session upon return.

How to Apply

From the time you're accepted until you arrive in your MISTI country in January, you'll work independently to brainstorm ideas, prepare lesson plans, and organize materials. Students will also coordinate frequently with in-country partners and host school teachers via phone, Skype, etc. You'll also need to attend November training sessions on teaching skills and Eurasian culture and education.

What we need:

  • Passion and talent for teaching/mentoring and ability to excite about STEM concepts (prior teaching experience valued but NOT required)
  • Readiness to commit full-time to host school and project during IAP. You will teach for up to 20-25 hours a week but be ready to spend a lot of time preparing for the next day.
  • Willingness to spend several hours/week during semester from October to December to develop workshops
  • Ability to work closely with diverse team and meld well in collective work and living arrangements
  • Ability to communicate effectively with beginner-level English speakers highly valued for select school placements

Armenia

Kazakhstan

  • Hayleybury School in Astana (read more)
  • Hayleybury School in Almaty (read more)
  • Learning Afterschool Centers in Almaty (read more)
  • Tamos Space School in Astana (read more)
  • Lastayev Public School in Katon-karagai village (read more)
  • Shoqan Walikhanov Private School in Almaty (read more)

Georgia

Georgia's Innovation and Technology Agency (MIT students are invited to teach any of the following topics)

Meet Your Program Manager

Contact
Ekaterina Zabrovski Headshot

Get in touch with Katya Zabrovski, Managing Director for MIT-Eurasia, to get your questions answered.