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Students > Internships > Program Requirements
Program requirements
Japanese Language: MIT undergrads are required to have 2 years of Japanese language or equivalent. Graduate and PhD students are required to have one year at MIT or equvailent Japanese language training.
Standing at MIT: You must have a grade-point average of 4.0 or higher
Culture course: A formal course on Japan is required. In Fall 2011 21F.039, 21F.064, 21F.065 or 21H.154 are great options.
Duration: 3-month summer internship (12 weeks), 6-12 month opportunities available
Training: Attend a weekend retreat and series of evening training sessions addressing topics in Japanese culture and society as well as practical information about living in Japan. These will be during the spring semester.
We are unable to place students with a criminal record or Institute history of disciplinary action.
Application Deadline
To be considered for placement in the summer you must submit all of your final application materials and meet with the manager by November 30 of the prior year. We will accept applications on a rolling basis for placements at other times.
Application process: review program requirements, complete your online profile and request an appointment with Tom Blackwood on the Student Portal.
Application process: review program requirements, complete your online profile and set up an appointment on the Student Portal.
Required materials:
> An up-to-date resume or CV
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A scanned copy of your passport, which must be valid 6 months after your planned return from Japan. Please include any pages with stamps of entry or visas for Japan.
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A statement of personal and professional objectives (1-2 pages) regarding an internship in Japan: Why do you want to go? What would you like to accomplish? What would you bring to the host institution and what impact do you expect this to have on your education? Please include a paragraph about your experience and skills. We may share this statement, or portions of it, with potential hosts.
> Two letters of recommendation signed and on departmental letterhead sent directly to the program manager via e-mail (PDF) or hard copy (E40-431).They should come from MIT professors or one MIT professor and one work supervisor. At least one should come from someone in your target internship field.
> Official MIT transcript
