MIT Israel

Students > Internships > Program Requirements

Program requirements


Standing at MIT: You must have a grade-point average of 4.0 or higher.


Culture course: Complete MIT course on Israeli history and culture (offered during IAP - 17.567 for 9 credits and spring semester for 12 credits- 17.565). Appropriate courses from other academic institutions may also be accepted.  Graduate students should obtain a special topic or reading seminar subject number from their own home department. The course is a recognized HASS elective and subject towards the Minor in Middle Eastern Studies.


Duration: 3-month summer internship (12 weeks), 6-12 month opportunities available.


Training: Attend several training sessions, 8 hours of Hebrew training and a daylong retreat in the spring addressing topics on Israeli culture and society and practical questions about living in Israel.


Please note that MISTI MIT-Israel internships are not open to Israelis.

Application Deadline

For summer internships, your online application must be received and other requirements must be met by November 30th**.

**Please note, there is an extended deadline for a limited number of available internships. If the deadline has passed contact us to see if opportunities are still available.

Application requirements

  1. Complete the online application form. Please research any known Israel opportunities in your field in advance and state these on the form. Take advantages of resources such as your professors, advisor, friends, and family.
  2. Send the following documents to mit-israel@mit.edu:
    1. Resume or CV (list all the courses taken relevant to your target internship including those you plan to take in the semester prior to your internship and any planned UROP or externship). Please name the file "First Initial Last Name Resume Date", as in the following sample resume. If you need assistance please visit the Careers Office (12-170). They can help with content, layout, and formatting.
    2. A scanned copy of your passport (it needs to be valid for 6 months after your planned return from Israel). Please name the file "First Initial Last Name Passport Date" - for example, JSmithPassport2010.
    3. One- to two-page statement of your personal and professional objectives regarding your stay abroad. Please answer the following questions: Why do you want to do an internship? Why do you want to go to Israel? What would you like to accomplish? What will you bring to your host institution, and how will the experience impact your education? We may share this statement or portions of it with potential host institutions.
    4. One-page essay about the cultural differences between your previous place of study (High school/University) and MIT. Please reflect on concrete expressions and recognizable behaviors that differentiate the different cultures (example from a past student). Please name the file "First Initial Last Name CulturalEssay Date" - for example, JSmithCulturalEssay2010.

Please email these two statements in seperate attachments.

    1. Two letters of recommendation. At least one should be from an MIT faculty member (advisor, professor, UROP supervisor) who knows your work (in your field). One can be from a work supervisor or non-MIT supervisor (not from High School teachers). The letters should address academics, research, and general aptitude for an internship abroad. It can be addressed “To whom it may concern” or to the MISTI MIT-Israel Program. It should not specify a host, but rather an internship in Israel in general. These will be sent to potential hosts and should be written with that audience in mind. The letters should be on letterhead, signed, scanned and sent to mit-israel@mit.edu.
    2. Your scanned MIT transcript. This is not the grade report you print online. Please get a transcript (official or unofficial) from the Student Services Center (11-120) and submit it scanned. Freshmen should send current list of courses from WebSis. Please name the file "First Initial Last Name GradeReport Date" - for example, JSmithGradeReport2010.

Once you have completed your online application form and sent in your resume, please contact the program manager to set up an interview. You may schedule your interview before the rest of the application is complete.
For summer internships, your online application must be received and other requirements must be met by December 1st.
If the deadline has passed, contact us to see if opportunities are still available.