MIT Students Begin Three-Week Teaching Stint in Andorran Schools

Five students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have begun a three-week stay at secondary schools across Andorra's three educational systems as part of the university's Global Teaching Lab programme.

The group was welcomed this week at the Ministry of Institutional Relations, Education and Universities by Xavier Campuzano, director of Higher Education, Research and Technological Innovation, and Albert Maluquer, director of Educational Systems and International Relations. Their placement will last until 30 January.

The students are joining classes at five representative institutions: Col·legi Sant Ermengol, Lycée Comte de Foix, Escola Andorrana de Batxillerat, Centre de Formació Professional, and Col·legi Espanyol Maria Moliner. They will collaborate with local teachers on mathematics, biology, chemistry, sciences, and technology lessons delivered in English.

This year's participants are pursuing degrees in aerospace engineering and political science, materials science and engineering, computer science and cognition, aerospace engineering, and biology.

Launched in 2017, the collaboration between the Andorran government and MIT receives €12,000 in funding this year. It covers travel costs from the US to Andorra, health insurance, administrative procedures, and pocket money for minor expenses. The students, who receive no salary for their classroom work, will stay with voluntary host families.

Officials describe the initiative as pioneering and unique worldwide, tailored to Andorra's multilingual and plural education system. It aims to boost students' scientific skills and technical English proficiency while fostering intercultural exchanges. Past editions have earned high praise from schools, pupils, families, and the MIT participants themselves.