MIT fosters U.S.-Japan STEM collaboration through the MISTI Japan program, connecting students and faculty with Japanese collaborators. Established in 1981, the program began sending students for three-to-12-month internships in Japan starting in 1983. This immersive approach aims to cultivate a deeper understanding of science, technology, and cross-cultural communication.
MISTI Japan Fosters Long-Standing US-Japan STEM Collaboration
MISTI Japan actively connects MIT students and faculty with collaborators throughout Japan, building upon a relationship that began before 1874. The program formally started in 1981, initially preparing students to effectively engage with Japan’s increasing technological influence. Since 1983, students have participated in three-to-12-month internships, gaining crucial immersive experience in a significantly different cultural context. Beyond internships, MISTI Japan fosters understanding through cultural activities on campus, such as Ikebana classes and a Japanese Film Festival. A notable initiative involves MIT students teaching STEM subjects to children in rural, tsunami-affected areas of Northern Japan since 2017. This work encourages students to develop “cultural resilience” and language skills, including the ability to “code switch,” while contributing to local communities.
Christine Pilcavage’s Background Shapes Immersive Program Leadership
Christine Pilcavage’s extensive international background directly informs her leadership of MISTI Japan. Having lived in Japan, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Kenya, she understands the benefits of immersive experiences firsthand. This personal understanding shapes her focus on fostering “cultural resilience” and language skills in MIT students participating in the program, encouraging adaptation in unfamiliar environments. Pilcavage’s professional history with organizations like USAID, JICA, and the World Health Organization provides a strong foundation for managing MISTI Japan’s complex initiatives. Her prior role administering a $10 million USAID-funded research program, CITE, demonstrates experience with international development and evaluating real-world challenges.
Pilcavage’s academic background, including degrees in international affairs, public health, economics, and psychology, complements her practical experience, enabling her to support both MIT’s mission and U.S.-Japan relations.
“I’m honored to join a community of people who have dedicated their lives to strengthening ties between the U.S. and Japan,”
Christine Pilcavage
MIT-Japan Program Launched in 1983 with Three-to-12-Month Internships
The MIT-Japan Program formally began in 1983, sending students to Japan for immersive experiences. These opportunities ranged from three to twelve months in duration, providing a substantial period for cultural and technical engagement. The program was initially designed to equip MIT students with the skills to collaborate effectively with a rapidly growing Japanese science and technology sector.
CITE Initiative Evaluated $10 Million in Global Development Interventions
The Comprehensive Initiative on Technology Evaluation (CITE) – a project of MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning – received $10 million in funding to assess global development interventions. Established in 2012, CITE focused on evaluating low-cost products designed for use in lower-income communities to determine which interventions yielded the most effective results. Christine Pilcavage administered the program, leveraging her prior experience with organizations like USAID and JICA to manage the research efforts. Pilcavage’s work with CITE, following her arrival at MIT in 2013, emphasized learning how to manage challenges within real-world contexts.
The initiative aimed to foster a collaborative environment for discovering solutions, highlighting the importance of effective problem-solving in global development. This evaluation work preceded her role as Managing Director of MISTI Japan, building on her expertise in international programs and cultural understanding.
