Student teaching abroad

Global Teaching Labs

Learn by teaching all over the world

MIT’s Global Teaching Labs (GTL) program recruits top MIT students who want to actively participate in the Institute’s experiential approach to learning. GTL challenges you to learn by teaching—synthesizing and presenting your knowledge, working in teams, and communicating with peers from different cultural backgrounds.

Info Session: Sept 12th at 5:30 PM in 4-370

App Opens: Sept 1st

App Deadline: Sept 19th at 11:59 PM

GTL Info Session: Sept 12th at 5:30 PM in 4-370 (We highly recommend attending!)

For three to four weeks each January, GTL participants travel abroad to teach science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) courses—and sometimes other topics including entrepreneurship and debate—to high school and university students. This high-impact program attracts several hundred highly accomplished candidates from across the Institute. Selected participants are trained about teaching materials, platforms and communication techniques, and introduced to the education system and culture of their host country.

Program requirements

  • Good academic standing (4.0 GPA minimum)
  • Submit a MISTI application and complete an interview
  • Participating students will be required to attend 5–6 training sessions in the fall.
  • First years applicants are ONLY eligible for the following programs/subjects:
    • Italy: For Debate
    • Ivory Coast: For Competition mathematics
    • Ghana: For Competition mathematics
    • Armenia: Any subject
    • Kazakhstan: Any subject 
  • Language Requirements:
    • Spain: Spanish Required - conversational/intermediate level is a minimum
    • Andorra: Spanish Required - conversational/intermediate level is a minimum. One placement for a French speaker.
    • Ivory Coast: Seeking French speakers
    • Brazil: Portuguese required - intermediate level
    • Korea: No language requirement, but seeking Korean and Mandarin speakers for select placements

Selection criteria

  • Knowledge of subject matter
  • Adaptability to different cultural norms and work and living arrangements
  • Ability to communicate and inspire about STEM concepts both in front of classroom and one-on-one
  • Ability to lead and manage a class as well as guide and mentor individuals
  • Passion and talent for hands-on teaching and learning
  • Interest in the host country
  • Fit with team/program
  • Language ability (necessary at some host schools)
  • Readiness to commit full time to host school and project during IAP

Before your GTL, you’ll attend MISTI Prep and Training sessions designed to help you make the most of your experience abroad. Program-wide sessions will cover teaching and communications strategies. Country-specific sessions will include health and safety, logistics and the culture of the host country.

MISTI programs are designed to be cost-neutral, meaning your experience is funded by generous MISTI donors, your host school, or a combination of both. All essential expenses are covered, including airfare and housing, and you’ll receive a small stipend for meals and transportation.

View the 2024 GTL info session here.

You can access more information about each Global Teaching Lab by clicking on the "Global Teaching Labs" tab available on each of the country program pages (links below). This includes information about the teaching format, program dates, school locations, and housing. 

*Please note programs denoted with an asterisk (*) have limited spots (less than 10 placements).

Africa

  • MIT-Africa Global Teaching Labs* (First years accepted for competition math ONLY):
    • Ivory Coast* (seeking French speakers): Competition mathematics
    • Ghana*: Competition mathematics
    • South Africa/Botswana*(Grad students encouraged to apply for team leader roles): All fields related to renewable energy across all MIT schools
    • Rwanda
    • Any applicants to any one of the three competition math focused GTLs (in Ghana, Ivory Coast, or Rwanda) will automatically be considered for all three.”

Asia

Europe

  • MIT-Germany Global Teaching Labs: All STEM-related subjects, with a focus on Chemistry and Bio.
  • MIT-Italy Global Teaching Labs (First years accepted for debate ONLY): All STEM-related subjects - emphasis on Physics & Math -- biochemistry, earth sciences, computer science and robotics spots available; DEBATE also available
  • MIT-Norway Global Teaching Labs*: Math & Physics; Earth & Climate Science; Computer Science & Programming; Entrepreneurship & Design
  • MIT-Eurasia Global Teaching Labs:
    • Armenia Global Teaching Labs (First years can apply): All STEM-related subjects; Design, Business/Entrepreneurship, Climate and Sustainability, Art and Technology
    • Georgia Global Teaching Labs*: EECS, AI, Machine Learning
    • Kazakhstan Global Teaching Labs* (First years can apply): All STEM-related subjects; Business/Entrepreneurship, Climate and Sustainability
  • MIT-Spain Global Teaching Labs (Spanish Required - conversational/intermediate level is a minimum. Need one French speaking student for Andorra): 
    • Spain Global Teaching Labs: All STEM subjects, students with maker space experience
    • Andorra Global Teaching Labs*: All STEM-related subjects
  • MIT-UK Global Teaching Labs:
    • England Global Teaching Labs*: All STEM-related subjects
    • Scotland Global Teaching Labs*: All STEM-related subjects
    • Wales Global Teaching Labs*: All STEM-related subjects

Middle East

  • MIT-Israel Global Teaching Labs: STEM, environmental science, sustainability, marine biology, entrepreneurship
  • MIT-Arab World Global Teaching Labs:
    • Bahrain Global Teaching Labs*: STEM and computer science, programming, robotics, machine learning, 3D modelling, electronic engineering
    • Jordan Global Teaching Labs: Computer science (Python), data analytics, machine learning, data visualization, natural language processing, User interface, UX, web font, grid systems (web design)

North America

  • MIT-Mexico Global Teaching Labs​​​​​​: All STEM subjects (3-4 slots are available for female identified students to run coding/patterns workshops for girls)

South America

  • MIT-Brazil Global Teaching Labs* (Portuguese required - intermediate level): All STEM - Polymers of Soccer and Rover Build-a-thon
  • MIT-Chile Global Teaching Labs: (Preference to Seniors and graduate students. Spanish is a plus, not a requirement)
    • Chile Global Teaching Lab: Scrach, Phyton, Coding, Machine Learning, Entrepreneurship
    • Peru Global Teaching lab: Scrach, Phyton, Coding, Machine Learning, Entrepreneurship
    • AI - Uruguay Global Teaching Lab: Scrach, Phyton, Coding, Machine Learning, Entrepreneurship

Program timeline

  • Application opens: September 1st
  • Info Session: Sept 12th at 5:30 PM in 4-370
  • Application deadline: September 19th at 11:59 PM
  • Sep-Oct: Applications reviewed and select students contacted for interview.
  • Nov–Dec: Students selected to participate will attend pre-departure trainings.
  • Jan: Most GTL programs held during the last three weeks.
  • Feb: Students attend a mandatory reentry session upon return.

Application Instructions - How to Apply

  • Review MISTI program websites for detailed information on GTL in your countries of interest. Click on the Global Teaching Labs Tab under Program Opportunities.
  • Complete the MIT GTL Application on the MISTI Portal.
  • MISTI will contact you if you’re selected for an interview.

 

Apply Here

Contact misti [at] mit.edu with any questions.

Hear from GTL Students

GTL Classroom