At the end of July, two Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) students – Sophia Guerra and Theodore Gurtsak – completed a two-month internship at the Lithuanian Energy Institute (LEI). The aerospace engineering students came to Lithuania through the prestigious MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI) program, which provides students with opportunities to gain practical experience, participate in research, and contribute to innovation projects in different countries around the world. Lithuania is one of the program’s partner countries, and LEI is one of the hosting institutions.
Building practical experience
The students completed their internships at the Laboratory of Heat-Equipment Research and Testing at LEI, where they expanded their knowledge of aerodynamics, computer-aided design (CAD), and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) while working on different aerospace engineering projects.
Sophia Guerra, who will begin her second year of studies in the autumn, focused her internship on applying computational fluid dynamics methods in aerospace engineering. Using ANSYS Fluent software, she analysed how different UAV propeller design solutions affect their aerodynamic performance and energy efficiency.
Such research contributes to the development of more efficient and cost-effective unmanned aerial vehicles – technologies that are increasingly used in logistics, infrastructure maintenance, agriculture, and other fields.
For Sophia, the internship at LEI became a valuable opportunity to gain knowledge and practical experience in a field that her classmates at MIT will only begin exploring in more detail during the upcoming academic year.
“Being able to gain practical experience with fluid dynamics was a very valuable experience that will help me prepare better for my future studies and understand more deeply how theoretical knowledge is applied in real engineering projects. I am also happy that I learned how to work with ANSYS Fluent – it is one of the most important tools for aerospace engineers,” Sophia shared.
A supportive environment for growth
Theodore Gurtsak, who will start his third year of studies in the autumn, continued a project he had started in the United States – developing a concept for a remotely controlled supersonic aircraft.
During this project, the student analysed what structural and aerodynamic solutions would be needed to adapt such an aircraft for supersonic flight. Through computer simulations, he studied the aircraft’s aerodynamic characteristics, air resistance, and possible ways to improve its performance at high speeds.
“Before coming to LEI, I felt that in some areas – especially design and computer modelling – I was still lacking practical experience. During the internship, I had the opportunity to focus on the project, try different solutions, learn from my mistakes, and continuously improve my skills. Whenever I faced difficulties, I could always turn to the institute’s researchers – their advice and support helped me solve problems and improve. I am sure this experience will help me become a better aerospace engineer in the future,” Theodore said.
Looking toward a future in aerospace and space technology
Both students see their future in the field of aerospace and space technologies. Sophia Guerra dreams of working at NASA or a private space technology company, where she would like to contribute to projects related to human spaceflight, aerodynamics, or propulsion systems.
Theodore Gurtsak also associates his future plans with advanced aerospace research. He would like to work at NASA Glenn Research Center in Ohio and contribute to the development of hypersonic aircraft.
“NASA Glenn Research Center is only about fifteen minutes away from my home in Ohio. I have seen it many times, so this place has always been familiar to me. In the future, I would like to work there on experimental aircraft,” Theodore said.
According to the students, their internship at LEI became one of the steps toward their future careers in aerospace and space technologies. It allowed them not only to apply theoretical knowledge gained at university but also to better understand what practical skills are needed in their chosen field of engineering.
Seeking a Unique International Experience
Sophia Guerra and Theodore Gurtsak learned about the opportunity to complete their summer internship in Lithuania through the MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI) program, which provides students with opportunities to gain international experience in different countries around the world.
Both students say they wanted to choose not a popular destination, but a unique country where they could discover a different culture and gain a new experience.
“I have travelled a lot around Western Europe, so I wanted to see another part of the world – a place I had never been before. When the MISTI program coordinator suggested Lithuania and the Lithuanian Energy Institute, I was immediately interested in this opportunity,” Sophia explained.
The students say that recommendations from previous interns also helped them make their decision. MIT students who had completed internships at LEI before recommended the institute, so Sophia and Theodore arrived in Lithuania with positive expectations about both the country and LEI.
Exploring Lithuania beyond the laboratory
Before coming to Lithuania, the students participated in special MISTI training sessions, where they learned more about the country’s history, culture, economy, politics, and energy sector.
According to them, these sessions helped them better understand the country before arriving and made it easier to adapt to a new environment.
“It was very useful to learn more about Lithuania’s history, culture, and what life in the country is like before arriving. The training gave us a great foundation for understanding the environment we were coming to, and a lot of what we learned before the trip was reflected in our everyday experience in Lithuania,” Theodore shared.
During their free time, the students tried to get to know Lithuania as much as possible. They visited Trakai Castle and travelled to Nida, where they enjoyed walking through the dunes and spending time by the Baltic Sea. They also explored Vilnius, where they attended the Pink Soup Festival.
The students were also impressed by Kaunas, which they described as a student-oriented and youthful city, full of universities and interesting activities.
Discovering the World Through International Experience
Both students are happy to have had the opportunity to participate in the MISTI program. According to them, the program provides not only opportunities for professional development but also a chance to discover the world – learn about different cultures, broaden their perspectives, and gain experience living abroad.
Theodore Gurtsak noted that international experiences are not always easily accessible to many Americans, as travelling outside the United States can be very expensive.
The MISTI program and host institution cover travel, accommodation, and other major expenses related to international internships. This gives students the opportunity to travel abroad, experience different cultures, and gain a broader perspective on the world.
“The MISTI program helps you understand that the world is much bigger than what we know from our everyday environment. An international internship allows you to experience other cultures and better understand what is happening outside your own country. It is a very valuable experience for every student,” Theodore said.
Hoping to return to Lithuania
Both students say that Lithuania impressed them with its calm atmosphere, nature, and authenticity. In their opinion, it is a country that deserves much more international recognition.
“I would like to come back here in the future because I didn’t have time to visit all the beautiful places. I think Lithuania is an underrated country. It is definitely worth visiting if you are looking not only for popular tourist destinations, but also want to discover an authentic place,” Sophia said.
The students say that after returning to their studies in the autumn, they will recommend an internship at the Lithuanian Energy Institute to other MIT students. They appreciated the opportunity to work in an international research environment, gain valuable practical skills, and at the same time discover a country that many Americans still know very little about.
Lithuanian Consortium Strengthens Research Ties with MIT
This year, nine Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) students came to Lithuania through the MISTI program to complete internships at seven institutions that are part of the Lithuanian Consortium. The Lithuanian Consortium is an independent initiative that fosters collaboration between Lithuanian research and business organizations and MIT. One of the key areas of this collaboration is the MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI) program, which provides MIT students with opportunities to undertake internships at Lithuanian research and business institutions. The activities of the Lithuanian Consortium are supported by the Research Council of Lithuania.
