Reflections on Interphase

The Interphase EDGE program, currently in its 56th summer, aims to prepare incoming first-year students for the rigor of MIT by inviting them to campus over the summer, where they get to live in dorms, take physics, calculus, chemistry, and communications classes; and make friends.

Sheikh Mahmud ‘26 began her time at MIT as an Interphaser and has worked for the program every summer following her first year. Now on her last summer with us, we asked her to reflect on her time with the program.

What made you want to join interphase as a student?

I first learned about it through my sister, she had done it herself. I was unsure of how rigorous MIT would be and she told me it would be a good practice run. I also wanted to make friends… meeting people from similar backgrounds it was easier to meet [people with similar backgrounds] at Interphase than in the regular school year.
What made you want to work for Interphase?

I really like teaching. And to truly understand a subject you have to teach it, and doing it as a part of Interphase made it a really good opportunity to learn more about teaching and create an academic environment for students like me.
What is one thing you wish more people knew about IP?

I think that a lot of people view it as something that is really stressful, and like spending my summer doing school, rather than enjoying it after …..you’re practicing your skills for the school year. I think the biggest part of it is the community.

— Florangel Suero, OACES