Exchange programs require 1 recommendation with your application, preferably from an MIT faculty member, so start developing relationships with potential recommenders now. Direct enroll programs do not require a letter.
Study abroad courses can count for major, minor, and HASS credit. However, they rarely count towards GIRs, HASS distributions, CI-H units, and CI-M units, so we recommend these are completed before studying abroad or an academic plan is made.