For most students, a visit to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a distant dream. But for two Grade 9 students from Oakridge International School, Visakhapatnam, Mahalakshmi and Shaili, that dream unfolded into a week of discovery, inspiration, and personal transformation. 

Their journey to MIT as part of the Nord Anglia Education-MIT collaboration for the annual STEAM Week became more than a programme. It became a story, one that blended curiosity, creativity, science, and the joy of finding themselves in a world of limitless possibilities. 

Mahalakshmi walked into MIT with an image in her mind — brilliant but serious people, buried deep in their work. But the moment she met the MIT community, that image began to shift. 

“When I heard I had the opportunity to attend a selective workshop at the prestigious MIT university, I had expected to be surrounded by people who were serious and wholly focused on their work — but the people at MIT proved me wrong, except for the latter bit. They were welcoming, kind, and very open-minded.” 

Shaili’s excitement had been building all year. For her, the moment she landed on campus felt surreal. “When I first heard about the opportunity to go to MIT, it felt surreal… My excitement and expectations could have never prepared me for the amazing experience I had at MIT.” 

Together, they stepped into a world buzzing with ideas and filled with people passionate about things they had never even heard of before. 

Their first adventure was a treasure hunt across the sprawling MIT campus, an activity that felt more like exploring an entire town than a university. 

Shaili vividly remembers being struck by the beauty of the place. “MIT was absolutely beautiful with its waterside scenery and fall colours… it was as though we were exploring a whole town!” 

For Mahalakshmi, it was the culture and charm of MIT that stood out from the very beginning. The treasure hunt set the tone for the week — a journey of discovery guided by curiosity. 

One of the unforgettable stops was the Glass Lab. Both students were fascinated by the idea that molten glass could be shaped into anything their imagination allowed. 

Shaili shared, “I always thought making glass structures never really had that much of a chemical process behind it… but after visiting the glass lab I learned that even making a simple structure like a pole takes a logical approach using physics and chemistry!” 

Mahalakshmi echoed the same sense of wonder: “From learning about how glass can be shaped into anything the mind chooses, to nanotechnology that continues to impress me for weeks…” 

Then came the Immersion Lab — an entirely different world of sensors, cameras, and precision. 

Shaili was blown away: “I was taken back by the complexity… the level of precision with which the cameras are able to pick up simply amazed me.” 

Amid all the experiences, one thing lingered in Mahalakshmi’s mind long after she returned home: “Their motto: ‘Mens et Manus’ is truly stuck in my head, prompting me to create something — anything.” 

It became her mission to spread that spirit of creation to her family, friends, acquaintances, even strangers. MIT wasn’t just teaching them science or art. MIT was teaching them to build. 

Perhaps the most transformative moment came during the lecture on zero gravity. 

Shaili recalls the turning point clearly: “Before this, I had never considered a job in the science field but after listening to these experts… I realised science goes hand in hand with creativity and art; in fact, I learned science is a form of art itself.”  

Both students left the sessions feeling that science was no longer a subject, but a canvas. 

Almost every day, they ate at the MIT cafeteria, a simple experience that became a window into real college life. 

Shaili remembers observing students: “It was fascinating to take a peek into what college life would look like… On some days we even got to sit next to some MIT students and converse with them.” 

The conversations helped them understand portfolios, pathways, and what it truly takes to study at a global institution. And then there were the friendships. Students from around the world, all figuring out life, careers, and dreams together. 

For Mahalakshmi too, the friendships shaped her experience as much as the labs and lectures. 

The week was not all labs and lectures. It was also about Climate Action Summit, self-guided Harvard tour, sightseeing, and escape rooms. 

For Mahalakshmi, the escape rooms were unforgettable: “A thrilling end to our special week… with newfound friendships and anticipation.” 

For Shaili, the Climate Action Summit stood out: “It was like a Model UN combined with real-life simulators… hectic but it taught us how to compromise and work in teams.” 

Every single day taught them something new about science, the world, and themselves. 

Both students returned not just with memories, but with clarity. 

Shaili says, “The trip allowed me to step out of my comfort zone… and definitely made me more comfortable with being open and talkative.” 

Mahalakshmi carries MIT’s spirit within her: “I’ve made it my mission to spread this motto to anyone I can reach.” 

They both came home with new dreams, new interests, and a new understanding of what learning can look like when the world becomes your classroom. 

In just six days, MIT showed them a universe where science meets art, where curiosity meets opportunity, and where the world becomes your laboratory. 

And for two young learners from Visakhapatnam, it marked the beginning of something bigger, a spark that will guide their dreams for years to come.