Firsthand
What MIT students are saying about MISTI
MIT-China opened windows of opportunity for me that I would not have otherwise known to exist. I was studying mechanical engineering at MIT when I learned about MIT-China's pioneering efforts to introduce and implement MIT OpenCourseWare content in China. I took one Chinese language course before heading out to the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau to participate in the pilot OCW project at Qinghai University in Xining. Upon returning to MIT that fall, CNN interviewed and filmed me on my Qinghai OCW teaching experiences for its television documentary, "Global Challenges." I studied a second year of Chinese at MIT and then went on a second MIT-China internship. These experiences have helped define who I am today and the direction for my career. Today I manage the development of products entirely designed and manufactured in China.
Peter Jeziorek, Course 2
I wanted to find an internship at a company where I would have a chance to work on cutting-edge research and encounter new ideas, so I was excited when the MIT-Japan program arranged an internship for me at NTT DoCoMo's Network Research Labs. Since my research interest is in wireless and mobile networks, this was a perfect match for me. My first day of work, they gave me my own keitai (that's Japanese for mobile phone). I spent hours playing with different functions, games, and other applications installed on it like the millions of Japanese who spend hours on the train every day completely immersed in their keitai... It's so exciting knowing the research going on at my company has such a big impact on people's lives!
George Lee, Course 6
Surprisingly, working as a team proved to be a challenge. MIT encourages students to collaborate, but it's no substitute for hands-on experience in the corporate world. For example, Toyota has a policy that goes something like "everyone knows everything." When my partner and I ran into a speed bump, our supervisor had us introduce our project to our entire 12 person group in order to make our problem everyone's problem and get suggestions and feedback. Learning how to use other people to maximize your efficiency takes time, but with practice it's an invaluable tool.
Bryan Gortikov, Course 3
The MIT-Germany experience has brought me to an amazing job opportunity at Siemens Management Consulting, where both my engineering and business skills are put to use in reshaping one of Siemens' largest divisions. In my very first week I did everything from dining out with top Siemens executives to calculating a dynamic cost gap between Siemens and their competitors. This opportunity has allowed me access to experiencing a career in management consulting, while at the same time using my German language skills and putting my MIT Sloan School courses to good use. The support I have gotten from the MIT-Germany program has been incredible. It was truly a first class, full service experience.
Carlos Enrique Gorbea Diaz, Course 15
I think it was around junior year that it occurred to me that although MIT is one of the best places in the world to learn how to solve problems, many of the world's most pressing problems were not at MIT. MIT-India found an opportunity to work with the Kushal Foundation, a non-profit providing free primary health care for children and prenatal women living in the slums of Bangalore and surrounding villages. At Kushal I was involved in several projects, through which I experienced personal growth and learned from individuals from diverse cultures a greater sensitivity to the different ways people view health and medicine. It was wonderful to experience globalization in full-force in Bangalore, from "dosas" (a local food) wrapped in a newspaper advertising jobs in Google, to the Kushal Foundation itself that was founded by pioneers of Bangalore's IT industry. This experience was a tremendously satisfying and meaningful experience — a chance to do good.
Gilad Evrony, Course 9
My experience interning at Volaris in Mexico City was rewarding in every way possible. In seven weeks I had the opportunity to work in a diverse team from three different countries. I received guidance and feedback from experienced professionals. I presented my findings to top officials in the company. I explored the city and celebrated Mexican soccer victories with my co-workers. Thank you for making this possible!
Nicki Lehrer, Course 16
Over the summer I had the good fortune to spend two months working for one of the most exciting companies on the planet — Ferrari — in Maranello, a small town in the hills near Modena, through MIT-Italy. Ferrari believes in excellence, and I was surrounded by it. I learned about the company's vision, leadership, attitude toward employees, how they operate, and how they make decisions. It was important to participate at Ferrari and to experience the soul of the company. Cars can be beautiful, but they also can smell bad and pollute the environment. My goal is to design cars that are good for the city.
Patrick Kunzler, MAS
I had always been very interested in racing and motorsport, and hoped to someday work in Europe for a major racing operation, but I had no idea the opportunity would come so soon. Through the MIT Germany program, I received an offer to work for BMW Motorsport in Munich Germany for 12 months. It was a big decision to take a year off from MIT, but one that was made easily. Over the last year, my German has improved immeasurably, and I've travelled to every country in western Europe (and even some eastern countries). In addition to my personal travel, I've gone with the BMW racing team to several races and test days, the most memorable of which was at the infamous Nürburgring. Back in the office, I designed parts for five different BMW Motorsport factory racecars, and was responsible for designing the entire cooling system on one of our newer cars. It was incredible to work side-by-side with the people who have designed some of the most succesful racecars in history. The experience and contacts I have now will be invaluable in the future. It was truly the opportunity of a lifetime.
Reid Allen, Course 2
