The MISTI Singapore Program introduces MIT undergraduate and graduate students to research, technology and innovation in Singapore. Since 2002, we have sent nearly 200 MIT students to Singapore on internships. The program recently concluded a highly successful five-year internship and leadership program with the Singapore University of Technology & Design-MIT Collaboration and now is extending program activities to industry and research with National University of Singapore, iHealthtech, A*STAR, and companies such as SGInnovate, Rolls-Royce, Daimler Benz, and others. The Singapore program is also poised now to become a hub of MISTI Southeast Asia activities as MISTI explores starting student internship and faculty seed fund programs in other countries in the region.

Newsletters

MISTI Singapore Newsletter_2020-21 
 

Program Opportunities

Internships

MISTI’s award-winning international internship program provides a one-of-a-kind, world-class experience for MIT students: the opportunity to gain real-life work experience in leading companies and labs around the world. Best of all, all expenses are paid, including airfare.

The MISTI Singapore program introduces a select number of MIT undergraduate and graduate students to research, technology and innovation in Singapore. We offer 8-12 week internships during the summer or 6 to 12 month internships at various times during the year.  We also encourage students to explore exciting new hybrid Study Abroad + summer internship opportunities. 

  • Mandatory Pre-Departure Preparation
  • Minimum GPA of 4.0
  • Mandarin Chinese study encouraged

Mandatory completion of a course on East Asia.

  • Informational meetings are available year-round. Contact program lead to schedule.
  • Complete the MISTI Launchpad Application – By December 1.
  • Schedule meeting with Country Program Managing Director – Due to the high number of student applications and inquiries, most meetings are small group Zoom sessions.
  • Commit to MISTI Singapore Program – Latest By April 1
  • Once approved, complete the County-Specific Application – April 1 at the absolute latest.
  • Internship matching process – September to April 1, rolling thereafter.
  • Mandatory Pre-Departure Sessions – Mid-April to Late May
  • September 1 – Complete internship report

How to Apply

Study Abroad at prestigious National University of Singapore

Earn transfer credits and experience Singapore and Southeast Asia at prestigious University of Singapore!  See MISTI Program Discovery page for details.  Explore opportunities for longer stays in Singapore with our new, hybrid Study Abroad + Internship option.  i.e. semester abroad + a summer internship. 

National University of Singapore 

  • Study Abroad Application
  • Interview
  • Minimum GPA of 4.5
  • Mandatory Pre-departure Preparation

 

Exchange:

  1. Apply for MIT exchange for the term you wish to study. Go to the MISTI Portal, find your program, and apply before the deadline.
  2. MISTI will be in touch regarding an interview with the applicable MISTI Program Manager and major department.

Direct Enroll:

  1. Apply directly to the host university/program provider by their program deadline. (Their deadline may be earlier than the MISTI deadline.)
  2. Apply to MISTI for MIT approval to study abroad before the deadline for the term you wish to study. Go to the MISTI Portal, find your program or use the Direct Enroll General Application to apply.
  3. MISTI will be in touch regarding an interview with the applicable Program Manager.

How to Apply

Financial Aid:

Financial aid can be used to study abroad during academic terms. Awards will be adjusted based on expenses such as airfare, living expenses, and local tuition costs. Students should meet with their financial aid counselor and a MISTI Program Manager at least one term before they go abroad to start planning how aid will be affected. MISTI and Student Financial Services will work together to gather and verify cost information . Based on this information, financial aid counselors will advise students on their adjusted financial aid packages and process any refunds accordingly.

Scholarships:

Click here to learn more about external study abroad scholarships.

CREATE, Singapore

Collaborations with SMART, iHealthtech, and A*STAR

In recent years we have been working closely with National University of Singapore and Singapore's A*STAR Institutes. We have sent MIT students to intern at

  • CREATE (Center for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise) in The Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (“SMART”) labs.   
  • NUS Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthTech)
  • various National University of Singapore labs 

We have also established dynamic new collaborations with SGInnovate deep tech companies. Additional, new industry opportunities in Singapore will be extended to MIT students soon. 

SEA Map

MISTI Singapore as a Hub of Southeast Asia Regional Activities

While MISTI has been active in Singapore for nearly 20 years, we have only in recent years begun to develop project possibilities in other Southeast Asian countries. We are exploring opportunities to expand the Singapore program into a hub of MIT experiential learning activities that can span the ASEAN region.  For example, we have worked in Malaysia and Indonesia on MISTI Global Startup Labs and have presented MISTI in conferences in Vietnam. 

We are looking to identify MIT alumni and other partners and MIT faculty leads to help us launch a MISTI ASEAN Pilot Program. 

 

 

Meet Your Program Manager

Contact Us
Sean with students in Singapore

Get in touch with Sean Gilbert, Managing Director for MIT-Singapore | China | Australia | New Zealand, to get your questions answered.

seang [at] mit.edu | 617-253-5068