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Notes from the Field
MISTIItaly
Italy
Experience Italy’s genius for combining technology and culture, science and beauty. Opportunities include: paid research stays at partner universities and labs; internships at small and large companies; and teaching STEM subjects at Italian high schools over IAP.
Notes from the Field
Italy Program Details
Preparation & Training
The MIT-Italy Program provides MIT undergraduate and graduate students with paid research, teaching and work opportunities at leading companies, research labs, schools and universities in Italy. Internships last from 10 weeks to 12 months.
Timeline
Application due
February 15th for summer placement (rolling thereafter)
Placement process
November 10th-April 31 for summer placement (rolling thereafter)
Internship assigned February 15th to May 1st for summer placement (rolling thereafter)
Dates and duration
Most internships last 10-12 weeks and take place in the summer. However, internships are available year-round for up to 12 months.
Eligibility
Open to MIT undergrads, graduating seniors and graduate students in all disciplines
Requirements
GPA
4.0 or better
Language
Required
Undergrads: Italian One or equivalent proficiency.
Graduate students: no language requirement. However, the more Italian you know, the more opportunities you will have and the more you will enjoy your internship.
Since MIT is NOT offering Italian classes this year, you can satisfy the requirement by:
- Cross-registering for an Italian class at Harvard. For more info please visit their website or email Dr. Elvira Di Fabio edifabio@fas.harvard.edu
- MOOC: Take the online Wellesley-X Italian classes –Level 1, 2 and 3 offered. These courses are extremely well done and self-paced so you should be able to fit them in your schedule. Certificate required (for the beginning level), so make sure you sign up for it.
- Other online classes
- Italian languages classes are also offered at The Dante Alighieri Society in Kendall Square
Cultural Preparation
Strongly Recommended
Undergrads: One class on Italian or European culture, history or society
Graduate students: no prerequisites
The Global Teaching Labs offer a unique opportunity for MIT students to teach STEM subjects in Italian high schools over IAP. Participants teach up to 20 hours a week (in English) and mostly live with families.
Timeline
See GTL deadline here.
Dates and duration
January 6-January 26th (tentative)
Location, teaching methods and subjects
Participants are placed individually or in small groups at high schools across the country, teach individually for up to 20 hours a week, mostly under the supervision of a host teacher, stay in the same school for the program entire duration, and nearly all stay with families chosen by the host school. Most of the host schools are in relatively small cities. All the teaching takes place in English and is meant to emphasize experiential learning.
The offered subjects are STEM - physics (most requested subject to be taught at different level from mechanics to quantum physics), math, bio, biochemistry, environmental science, informatics, electronics, robotics - and debate. No leadership or entrepreneurship teaching positions available.
GTL Italy is looking for students interested in participating in 2/3 half days workshops aimed at motivating female students to pursue a STEM education. This program is an addition to the regular GTL; takes place in different locations and requires participants to stay until January 31rst. Applicants must be able to convey their own enthusiasm for science and feel comfortable talking about their own experiences.. Travel & lodging expenses within Italy will be covered and a small stipend provided by the Soroptimists Foundation –our partner in this initiative.
Eligibility
Open to sophomores, juniors and graduating seniors in all disciplines who have taken classes at MIT in the subjects they will be teaching and , exceptionally, to graduate students.
Freshmen may be exceptionally considered for debate only.
Requirements
GPA
4.0 or better
Language
No language requirement, but preference is given to students with some knowledge of Italian and Latin.
Prerequisites
- Having successfully taken relevant subject courses
- Teaching experience (preferably at MIT)
- Good communication skills
Timeline and Selection Procedures
Selected Applicants will be informed by e-mail about interviews timing and location. The number of applicants who will be interviewed will depend on the number of available spots.
We aim at completing the acceptance and matching process by the end of October—assuming all the participating schools will have sent their requests by then.
Funding
Program expenses covered (includes airfare and a small stipend to cover food and accommodation). Nearly all students stay with families selected by the host school.
Preparation
Once selected, students must attend Global Teaching Labs and MIT-Italy training sessions.
Contact Us
In light of the high number of applicants, there will be no individual meetings before or after the application deadline. Selected applicants will be notified of scheduled interviews.
For more information before applying, please attend the GTL Information session on SEPTEMBER 13 at 5pm in the BUSH ROOM.
Serenella Sferza, MIT-Italy Program Co-director: ssferza@mit.edu
The MIT-Italy Program does not offer Study Abroad.
However, we can help students interested in spending a semester or more at the Politecnico of Milano, the Politecnico of Torino or the Universita di Pisa. We’re also happy to discuss other opportunities to study in Italy.
Contact Us
Contact us with questions about the program
