MIT Spain

Students > Internships > Program Requirements

The internship program gives students the opportunity to combine their knowledge of Spanish language and culture with their expertise in the fields of engineering, science, management, and architecture by working in Spanish companies, Spanish research institutions, and universities.

In addition to studies in their fields, participating students have completed rigorous language training in the Foreign Languages and Literatures Section at MIT. The students have access to and are trained with the help of the latest media and hypermedia technology.

The program is open to undergraduate, graduate students, and recent alumni. We offer three-month summer internships (June-August) or six- to twelve- month internships at various times during the year.

Linguistic and cultural competency is a key factor in a successful internship experience. Therefore, an internship with the MIT-Spain Program is embedded in a language and culture curriculum.

The MIT-Spain Program Coordinator works with each individual student to develop a plan of study for Spanish language and culture before, during, and after the internship.

Requirements

Participating students will be expected to have fulfilled the following requirements:

  1. Two years (minimum) of university-level Spanish language training with a grade B or better (completion of Spanish IV at MIT or equivalent).

    Additional recommended courses that introduce students to important cultural, social, and political aspects of Spanish speaking countries,preferably:
    • 17.906 European Politics (Special Topic in the Social Sciences, Spring semester, MW 11am-12:30pm) Please register under: 17.905-17.911 - Reading Seminar in Social Sciences
    • 21F.7111 Advanced Spanish Conversation and Composition: Perspectives on Technology and Culture
    • 21F.712 Spanish Conversation and Composition
    • 21F.714 Spanish for Bilingual Students
    • 21F.717 Introduction to Spanish Culture
    • 21F.735 Advanced Topics in Hispanic Literature and Film
    • 21F.740 The New Spain: 1977-Present (Spring only)
  2. Standing at MIT: You must have a grade-point average of 4.0 or better.
  3. Participating students will be expected to attend several training sessions and a weekend retreat in the spring that will address topics in Spanish culture and society and practical questions about living in Spain.
  4. Participating students must complete the book, "Ghosts of Spain", by Giles Tremlett. This can be purchased on Amazon.com.

Application process

  1. Complete the application form online.
  2. Send the following documents to Alicia Goldstein.
    • Your resume or CV.
    • A one- to two-page statement of your personal and professional objectives regarding your stay in Spain: Why do you want to go? What would you like to accomplish? What will you bring to your host institution, and how will the experience impact your education? Please include a paragraph about your skill set. We may share this statement, or portions of it, with potential host institutions.
    • In a separate statement, one page sharing 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).
  3. Have two letters of recommendation sent directly from the recommender to MIT-Spain Program Coordinator Alicia Goldstein. [aliciag@mit.edu] They should come from MIT professors or one professor and one former work supervisor. At least one should come from someone in your target intership field.
  4. Have your official MIT transcripts mailed directly to the MIT-Spain Program at E40-407.

Once you have completed your online application and sent us your resume and personal statement, please contact the MIT-Spain Program Coordinator to schedule an interview. You may schedule your interview before the rest of the application is complete.

Application deadline

We accept applications throughout the year, but if you wish to be considered for early placement for the summer of 2009, please submit your application package by November 30, 2009.

MIT-Spain Required Training and Reading

Interns are expected to attend several training sessions throughout the spring to familiarize you with Spanish culture and society. Topics of discussion will include Spanish politics, industry, research, current events and culture.

Required Reading: Ghosts of Spain, by Giles Tremlett

You will also be invited to the MISTI Gala Dinner in the late spring.

 

  • MIT China
  • MIT France
  • MIT Germany
  • MIT India
  • MIT Israel
  • MIT Italy
  • MIT Japan
  • MIT Mexico
  • MIT Spain
  • MISTI Africa