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Notes from the Field
MISTIJapan
Japan
MIT Japan Program has been sending MIT students to Japan since 1983 to experience Japan’s engineering and science culture first-hand. Opportunities include paid internships at companies, research institutes and universities.
Japan Program Details
Preparation & Training
MIT-Japan Program matches MIT students with internships and research at leading companies, research labs and universities in Japan. Internships last from 10 weeks to 12 months and are all-expenses-paid.
Pokémon and robots: an MIT-Japan alumnae shares her experience in Tokyo
Dinner in a Japanese household
Timeline
Application due
Part 1 is due October 31 for priority summer placement (Create a profile online; upload resume, schedule an appointment and meet with program manager).
Part 2 is due November 30 (copy of the info page of your passport (PDF), two (2) recommendation letters; unofficial e-transcript; and letter of motivation/tailored cover letter. Also, please rank your desired host institutions if you have more than one and send it to the program manager.
Placement process
Internship assigned October 31-March 1 for summer placement
Dates and duration
Most MISTI internships take place over 10-12 weeks during 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
Undergrads: Japanese IV or equivalent proficiency (for proficiency you must be tested by a Japanese teacher at MIT)
Graduate students: Japanese II or equivalent proficiency
Prerequisites
Undergrads & Graduate students: One class on Japanese culture, history or society
Undergraduates are highly encouraged to take 'The Rise of Asia' 17.53 offered during Spring 2017
Funding
Program expenses covered (includes airfare and a stipend to cover food and accommodation) PLUS a weekend trip to Kyoto and Nara at the end of June for summer participants, and an opportunity to voluneer for a weekend in the tsunami-affected area in Tohoku, Northeast Japan.
Preparation
Once matched with a host, students must attend all MISTI prep & training sessions (incuding a weekend retreat at MIT) and a checkout meeting with the program manager during Spring semester.
Japan in the news
New York Times just pubished their Places to go in 2017 and Osaka listed #15!!
Conde Nast Travelers just listed Tokyo (#1) and Kyoto (#2) as the best cities in the world!!
Innovative Discovery Japan 2018
Innovation Discovery Japan 2018 (IDJ 2018) is being organized by MIT graduate students to showcase Japanese innovative companies and research institutes. The trip will take place from January 28-February 3, 2018, and visit Tokyo, Nagoya and Kyoto. Please go to the Innovation Discovery Japan website for more informatino.
Trip cost: The discounted trip will cost $1,000 plus the cost of the round trip airfare. If you want to take part in this trip, please review the slides carefully first and then:
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Fill out the IDJ Google form (https://goo.gl/forms/SSIXijtJvBJEptcD2)
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Write a 500 word or less essay on why you want to participate in this program
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Submit a resume by email to ( idj.mit@gmail.com)
MIT-Japan Program funding Eligibility and Guidelines
MIT-Japan Program will sponsor a limited number of scholarships that will covers round-trip economy class airfare and IDJ program participation fee for the January 28-February 3, 2018 trip (transportation in Japan, three meals per day, hotel accommodations, and any admission fees to the activities arranged by IDJ) for MIT students exhibiting genuine interest in learning Japanese and going to Japan on an internship or work experience. Preference will be given to students who are considering or have taken at least one semester of Japanese at MIT. If you would like to be considered for this special MIT-Japan Program funding, you MUST also fill out the MIT-Japan Program application on the MISTI website in addition to the Innovation Discovery Tour Japan application that is outlined above.
- Fill out the IDJ 2018 application on the Google form & submit your essay and resume to IDJ 2018
- Complete the MIT-Japan Program application on the MISTI website
- Currently be enrolled at MIT
- Have a valid (for at least six months) passort
- Submit a 500 word or less essay of interest describing your motivation to apply for the Innovation Dicovery Japan trip and why you want to go to Japan. Please include what you hope to gain from the trip and how this trip may impact you and your future
- Get a letter of recommendation from your Faculty Resident, Faculty House Fellow or another faculty at MIT (an electronic request for letter of recommendation will be available from the online application, but you should ask your faculty before sending the electronic link on the MISTI application site). PLEASE give your faculty at least 2-3 weeks of advance notice. The letter of recommendation deadline to one week after the application deadline.
- Participate in pre-departure orientations in December and January and a post-trip meeting in February
Selected participants are expected to cover personal expenses, including (but not limited to) passport fees, excess baggage fees, fees for vaccination, travel expenses between their home and departure port, fees for accommodation and meals in the USA, and pocket money for the purchase of items for personal use.
It is your responsiblity to find out whether or not you need to get a visa to visit Japan. Some countries do not need a visa so long as the trip to Japan is less than 90 days. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan has a list of countries and regions with visa exemptions. If you're still not sure, contact the Japanese Consulate in Boston at 617-973-9774.
Incomplete application will not be considered for the MIT-Japan Program funding.
Deadline for applications is October 14, 2017.
Bringing medicine to Japan
Most of the following information was was obtain from Embassy of the United States in Tokyo, Japan's American Citizen Services' website on "Importing or Bringing Medication into Japan for Personal Use":
Japanese law on medication and how they treat people who have illegal substances in Japan is very different than in the United States. Failure to comply with Japanese law may result in being arrested and detained. PLEASE CAREFULLY READ the following Japanese Government's website for details:
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's website for information about bringing medicines for personal use into Japan.
- "Import/Export Narcotics by Carrying" from the Narcotic Control Department of the Ministry of Health. Labour and Welfare
- General Customs information of things that are prohibited or restricted, including information on bringing medications and cosmetics to Japan by Consulate General of Japan in Seattle.
"Over-The-Counter Medicines
"It is illegal to bring into Japan some over-the-counter medicines commonly used in the United States, including inhalers and some allergy and sinus medications. Specifically, products that contain stimulants (medicines that contain Pseudoephedrine, such as Actifed, Sudafed, and Vicks inhalers), or Codeine are prohibited if it contains more than allowed quantity of stimulant raw materials. According to Japanese law, up to a two-months' supply of allowable over-the-counter medication and up to a two-months' supply of allowable vitamins can be brought into Japan duty-free.
Prescription Medications
Heroin, cocaine, MDMA, opium, cannabis (marijuana), stimulant drugs including some prescription medications such as Adderall, and including some medications available over-the-counter in the U.S. are prohibited in Japan. There are no exceptions in bringing these prohibited medications into Japan, even if the medication is legally obtained outside of Japan. The import of stimulant drugs such as methamphetamines and amphetamines in particular are strictly prohibited, even when accompanied by a customs declaration and a copy of the prescription. Japanese customs officials or police can detain travelers importing prohibited items. Japanese customs officials do not make on-the-spot "humanitarian" exceptions for medicines that are prohibited in Japan.
Up to one month's supply of allowable prescription medicine (by Japanese law) can be brought into Japan. Travelers should bring a copy of their doctor's prescription as well as a letter stating the purpose of the drug."
Please contact the Japanese Consulate in Boston at 617-973-9774 should you want to consult anyone regarding carrying prescription and/or non-prescription medication to Japan to confirm whether they will be allowed to bring the particular medication to Japan.
Any questions? Email mit-japan@mit.edu
Contact Us
Contact the Program Manager with questions about the program
