Students

Linguistic and cultural competency is essential to a successful international experience, and our internships are embedded in a language and culture curriculum. To compensate for the lack of Italian classes at MIT, we work closely with you to help you achieve proficiency in these areas.

Documents you will need to submit

1. Resume.
   We need an updated electronic copy for consideration and submission to potential hosts.
2. Transcript.
   You must have a grade point average of 4.0 or better.
3. Tailored Letters.
   After identifying potential hosts, please submit a brief (one page) description of your skills and interests and what you hope to achieve with an internship. Companies want to know your background, experience, research interests, and how you fit into their activities.
4. Recommendations.
   You need to submit one written recommendation, possibly from one of your MIT professors.
5. Please e-mail all the documents to the MIT-Italy Program.

Cultural and Linguistic Competency

We require our interns to:

1. Acquire a working oral knowledge of Italian.

   The formal requirements needed to achieve such proficiency vary widely depending on the participants’ linguistic background. We recommend taking Intensive Italian One at MIT over IAP, followed by a second class at Harvard. The better your Italian, the better your placement prospects and your experience in Italy.
   For more information about Intensive Italian One at MIT over IAP, please contact the MIT-Italy Program.
   Other local opportunities:

   • http://www.fas.harvard.edu/%7Erll/index.html
   • http://www.extension.harvard.edu/2007-08/courses/ital.jsp
   • http://www.dantealighieri.net/cambridge/
   • http://www.extension.harvard.edu/2007-08/courses/ital.jsp
   • http://www.derada.com/
   • http://www.italicon.it/

2. Participate in cultural training.

   Prospective interns are required to attend our retreat and other seminars and training sessions designed to prepare them for their internships.

3. Take at least one course

   Interns are required to take at least one course that introduces them to key cultural, social, and political aspects of Italy and/or Europe. In light of the scarcity of such courses at MIT, we work with you to identify alternative options at Harvard.

Application Deadline

We accept applications on a rolling basis. However, to qualify for early placement, application packages are due November 30th. E-mail applications to the MIT-Italy Program.