MISTI Japan

• Mandatory Pre-Departure Preparation
• Minimum GPA of 4.0
• Two letters of recommendation
• One (1) class on Japanese culture, history or society (see tab below for accepted courses at MIT)
• Undergrads: Japanese IV (21G.504) or equivalent proficiency (Equivalent to JLPT N4; Based on the ACTFL guidance: roughly Intermediate Low~Mid)
• Graduate students: Japanese II (21G.502) or equivalent proficiency (Equivalent to JLPT N5 Based on the ACTFL guidance: roughly Novice Mid)

If you have not take language classes at MIT, then you must be assessed by MIT's Japanese language instructor for your language requirement. For testing your proficiency, please take the TTBJ placement test, which will help the Japanese instructors evaluate your Japanese language skills more accurately. 

Definitions:

Intermediate Low Speakers at the Intermediate Low sublevel are able to handle successfully a limited number of uncomplicated communication tasks by using the language creatively in straightforward social situations. Their conversation is restricted to concrete exchanges and predictable topics necessary for survival. Topics relate to basic personal information such as self and family, some daily activities and personal preferences, and some immediate needs, such as ordering food and making simple purchases. At the Intermediate Low sublevel, individuals are able to ask a few appropriate questions, but they are primarily reactive and may have difficulty answering direct questions or requests for information. At the Intermediate Low sublevel, speakers express personal meaning by combining and recombining what they know and what they hear from their communication partner(s) into short sentences. They may hesitate, repeat, or self-correct often as they search for the appropriate linguistic forms and vocabulary to convey the message. Their pronunciation, vocabulary, and syntax may be strongly influenced by the other languages that they know, but they can generally be understood. 

Intermediate Mid Speakers at the Intermediate Mid sublevel are able to handle successfully a variety of uncomplicated communication tasks in straightforward social and transactional situations. They can engage effectively in predictable and concrete exchanges that involve personal information related to self, family, home, daily activities, interests, and personal preferences, as well as physical and social needs, such as food, shopping, travel, and lodging. They are capable of asking a variety of questions to obtain information to meet basic needs, such as instructions, prices, and services.

Novice Mid Speakers at the Novice Mid sublevel complete basic social communication tasks using isolated words, rehearsed phrases, and short sentences drawn from the contexts where the individual has learned or been exposed to the language. When responding to direct questions, these speakers may employ stock answers to meet their communicative needs. They pause often as they search for vocabulary or appropriate structure, and they may recycle their own and their communication partner’s words as a strategy for maintaining communication. Their speech may incorporate distinct vocabulary, syntax, and articulation and intonation patterns from other languages.

APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMER 2025 is now open!

Begin your Launchpad application at misti.mit.edu and schedule a meeting with Japan's program director via the Calendly link on Launchpad.

For summer internships:

• Nov 1: Deadline to complete MISTI Launchpad Application for early placement (this means that MISTI Japan Program will do the best to place you for summer 2024 if you meet the requirements). You will need to submit your resume, transcript, info page of your passport, etc.
• Dec 15: Deadline to interview with MIT-Japan Managing Director AND complete MISTI Japan Application by specifying and ranking up to 3 internship hosts of interest and submitting cover letter; this also includes having your two letters of recommendations submitted (those who did not submit by Nov. 1 are not considered early placement)
• Dec – Feb: Internship hosts review interested students and interview select applicants.*
• Feb 28: Most hosts send internship offers to students before the end of February, but placement might not be confirmed until later in the semester.
• Mar – early May: Mandatory training and preparation sessions, including an all-day Saturday retreat on campus.
• Most internships take place in summer for 10-12 weeks, starting in early/mid-June and ending in mid/late-August.

*Some companies (like consulting firms and financial institutions) have early offers in November so please complete Launchpad Application by October 15 and schedule a meeting with MIT-Japan Managing Director to discuss strategies.

Longer internships of 3-12 months with flexible start/end dates outside summer are also available. Contact MIT-Japan Managing Director at least five months before anticipated internship start date to apply.

How to Apply

COURSE NO.COURSE NAME

17.433

International Relations of East Asia (UG)  - Spring

21G.039/21A.143/WGS.154

Gender and Japanese Popular Culture (UG) - Fall

21G.062/21L493

Gateway to Japanese Literature and Culture

21G.063/21G.596

Anime: Transnational Media and Culture (U) HASS-H - Spring

21G.064 meets with 21G.592

Introduction to Japanese Culture (UG) HASS-H, CI-H - Fall

21G.065[J]/21G.593

Japanese Literature and Cinema - Fall

21G.510

Project-Based Japanese Learning with Multimedia - Spring

21H.154

Inventing the Samurai - Spring

21H.354

World War II in Asia - Spring

21L.493/21G.062

Gateway to Japanese Literature and Culture (new)

_________________________________________

17.53 (Not offered during 2024-2025 academic year)

The Rise of Asia (UG) HASS-S

21H.155 (NOT offered during 2024-2025 academic year)

Modern Japan: 1600 to Present (UG) HASS-H - Spring

21G.067[J]/21G.597 (NOT offered during 2024-2025 academic year)

Digital Media in Japan and Korea - Spring

21G.094/21G594 (NOT Offered durimg 2024-2025 academic year)

Cinema in Japan and Korea -Spring