Program Opportunities
Global Teaching Labs
MISTI Global Teaching Labs offers a unique opportunity for MIT students to learn by teaching in schools in Kazakhstan 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.
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
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.
- Complete the MISTI Launchpad Application – by December 1 (early deadline for priority placement) or Feb. 15 (final deadline for summer)
- Interview with Country Program Manager – rolling (as soon as student completes MISTI Launchpad Application and contacts MIT-Eurasia Managing Director)
- Commit to MIT-Eurasia Program – rolling (within two weeks after student receives placement offer from MIT-Eurasia)
- Internship matching process – rolling (after interview with MIT-Eurasia Managing Director)
- Mandatory pre-departure sessions – March to May
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.
Meet Your Program Manager
Get in touch with Katya Zabrovski, Managing Director for MISTI Kazakhstan, to get your questions answered.