More than 400 students have participated in the Cambridge-MIT Exchange (CMI), which began in 2000. The exchange is now firmly established as an integral part of MIT undergraduate programs, now administered by MIT Study Abroad.
Professor Edward Crawley, executive director of CMI and professor of aeronautics and astronautics, reflected on the exchange and its achievements since its inception.
"The exchange was the first of its kind for either institution," Crawley explained. "It was an exchange of not only students, but also of programs. As the first designed exchange, CMI students knew ahead of time what courses they would get credit for and how those fit into their degree."
CMI's second key accomplishment was the increased collaboration between faculties. "Exchange students at both universities have been able to show that there are other ways to teach and learn. The outcome has been positive; teaching and learning styles have been examined and improved," Crawley said.
The cultural influence of CMI exchange students has also been key to the program's success, Crawley stressed.
-- Ssegawa-Ssekintu Kiwanuka
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on June 6, 2007 (download PDF).
