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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
**DUE TO COVID-19, MISTI / MIT-Japan Program summer internship for summer 2021 in Japan is cancelled. We hope we will be able to travel to Japan in Summer 2022, but Japan is still in a state-of-an-emergency, and we cannot travel at this time.
Please consider exploring other options for Summer 2021 since we can not to travel to Japan because of the pandemic. We hope you all stay safe and get vaccinated soon.
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 November 1 for priority summer placement (Create a profile online; upload resume, schedule an appointment and meet with program manager).
Part 2 is due December 1 (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.
PLEASE NOTE we are monitoring the SARS-CoV-2 / COVID pandemic closely. Please explore other options in case we cannot travel to Japan for Summer 2022.
Placement process
Internship assigned November 30-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 ("B") or better
Language
Undergrads: Japanese IV (21G.504) or equivalent proficiency (for proficiency you must be tested by a Japanese teacher at MIT)
Graduate students: Japanese II (21G.502) 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 2020
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
Conde Nast Travelers just listed Tokyo (#1) and Kyoto (#2) as the best cities in the world!!
Virtual Innovative Discovery Japan Trip 2021
Virtual Innovation Discovery Japan 2021 (IDJ 2021)was organized by MIT graduate students to showcase Japanese innovative companies and research institutes.
Any questions? Email mit-japan@mit.edu
Study Abroad in Tokyo
Exchange Programs with Japanese Universities
University of Tokyo
Course 2 (Mechanical Engineering) and Course 3 (Materials Science & Engineering) majors can go to Japan for a semester study aborad experience at Univeristy of Tokyo during the SPRING semester. Students must have a junior standing when they go overseas. For more information and to apply click here.
Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech)
Course 22 (Nuclear Science & Engineering) majors can go to Japan for a semester study aborad experience at Tokyo Tech during the FALL semester. Students must have a junior standing when they go overseas. For more information and to apply click here.
For more information, please go to the MISTI Study Abroad page.
Contact Us
Contact the Program Manager with questions about the program
