Ruth Shiferaw

Ruth Shiferaw’s commitment to cultural exchange is evident through her participation in MIT's Global Teaching Labs (GTL) in Germany during IAP her sophomore year, where she taught English, physics, and math to 5th-12th grade students in Timmendorfer Strand. Germany holds deep personal significance for Ruth, as it’s where her parents studied and where her older sister was born, inspiring her to study German throughout high school. Her month with GTL was transformative, deepening her appreciation for diverse perspectives in education and challenging her to adapt lessons to meet the curiosity and enthusiasm of her students.

In her junior spring, Ruth studied abroad at ETH Zurich, immersing herself in a multicultural environment through community language exchanges and biweekly dinners with her international dormmates. She embraced Switzerland's central location in Europe and traveled widely, hiking the Swiss Alps, sampling Croatian cuisine, and engaging with locals in Marseille. This experience reaffirmed her ability to thrive in unfamiliar settings while excelling in rigorous academic courses.

Ruth’s global perspective expands beyond German-speaking countries. Over IAP 2025, she looks forward to joining the Global Classrooms program in Manaus, Brazil, where she’ll work on sustainable polymer production in the Amazon. She is especially excited to engage with locals, take classes with Brazilian students, learn Portuguese, and explore local cuisine.