The People Behind MEI Academy

"The World is Our Classroom," and our mission is to provide the finest learning experience available to students. At MEI we encourage our students to view the world with new eyes and integrate "real life" into their academic studies. We are committed to providing students with the skills that will prepare them for their post-secondary education, and we strive to offer a rich variety of experiences that will serve as a foundation for a lifetime of living and learning.
  • Joe Mei, Program Director
    Joe Mei has been involved in teaching and overseas education for over twenty years. His diverse educational experiences across Canada, the United States and Europe have strengthened his conviction that there is no substitute for experiential learning. Mr. Mei's love for history and literature of all clutures has inspired him to establish this international academy. His ongoing mission is to provide life-changing educational opportunities for students.
  • Upper Grand District School Board
    The Upper Grand District School Board accredits all courses offered by MEI International Academy. The Upper Grand District School Board is located in Guelph, Ontario, and operates high schools in Guelph and surrounding areas. The partnership between MEI and the Upper Grand District School Board provides students and teachers a chance to explore international learning opportunities; "the world is our classroom," and together we make this a reality.
  • MEI Staff
    We believe the best conceived plans need exceptional leaders to execute them. Our unique learning environment requires that our teachers possess extensive knowledge in their subject area and excel in the use of contemporary teaching methods. It has taken over 20 years of travelling and teaching to summon together the finest teachers for our prgrams. We select our staff based on their academic knowledge, travel experience, and most importantly their passion for teaching young adults.
  • As a testament to how the MEI experience impacts students, many of our alumni return as faculty members after completing their university degrees. They return, wanting to give back what they received as students. Students and parents will have an opportunity to meet the staff and teachers at a pre-departure meeting held before each trip begins.
  • Course Accreditation and Curriculum
    All MEI programs are accredited by the Upper Grand District School Board. These course credits will appear on students' Ontario Student Records.
    • Ontario students will receive Ontario Ministry of Education course accreditation through the Upper Grand District School Board.
    • British Columbia students will receive British Columbia Ministry of Education course accreditation through Mulgrave School.
    • Students from schools outside of British Columbia and Ontario may have the academic courses accredited by their individual schools or local school boards.
  • Course Credit Details
    All course curriculum is developed by MEI Academy and the Upper Grand District School Board. Specific course curricula and prerequisites are available under each course's description.

The Best Practices for Learning

For over a decade MEI has been recognized as a leader in international education. Education outside the four walls of a classroom is not our hobby - it is our profession and our passion. Our full-time craft and trade is designing academic lessons that complement the sites we visit. At MEI, we know that knowledge and experience go hand-in-hand. Creating that balance is what we do best.
  • Knowledge, Experience and Reflection

    With 18 years of experience in travel and education, we know the benefit of preparation. Each MEI program begins with a preparatory online component. This allows students to hit the ground running as soon as they arrive overseas and dive straight into the culture and history that awaits them.

    Real learning begins when knowledge comes alive. Our itinerary infuses the locations we travel to with the academics we study, creating a seamless arc to the journey. Students will put their learning into practice by completing assignments on site which integrate their travel observations and real-world insights.

    We believe that knowledge and experience require analysis and reflection in order to be fully utilized. Each course is designed to challenge students to develop their own educational philosophy through opinion and responsive exercises, meaningful conversations, independent study units and personal reflections.

  • Academic Tools
    At MEI, we pride ourselves at being on the cutting edge of technological and educational advancements. To enhance their learning experience, each student will receive a digital course pack featuring course lectures with relevant video and sound clips, assignments, supplemental readings and additional resources. As well, students will record podcasts that are posted online and complete photo and video assignments to showcase their journey.
  • Extra Curricular
    In order to get the most out of their international experience, students will participate in a variety of additional activities. From seeing a play at the Globe Theatre, swimming in the Aegean Sea and practicing yoga on the beaches of Venice to trading stocks on the streets of New York, performing podcasts in the ancient amphitheatres of Greece and playing ultimate Frisbee in the valleys of the Swiss Alps, students are sure to benefit from each activity.

The Best Campus - The MEI Guarantee

What better campus is there than the world? At MEI, we believe that the best education lies in experiencing the world around us where there are no desks, there are no walls - just the world. By expanding the walls of the classroom to encompass the globe, students will expand their minds and their horizons.

  • Best Locations
    MEI “classrooms” change with each program and location, but invariably include famous landmarks, museums, parks, cathedrals, and other best-kept local secrets. To ensure an authentic cultural experience, students stay in first class hotels that are centrally located in the very heart of each city.
  • Best Meals
    Eating is a sacred art at MEI. Breakfasts and dinners provide students an opportunity for meaningful discussions revolving around the day’s events and insights discovered through their daily journeys. Whether sitting down at a local restaurant or preparing a picnic in the park, students will enjoy some of the most diverse, delicious and delightful international cuisine of their lives!
  • Best Courses and Curriculum
    All MEI courses meet Ministry of Education curriculum standards for senior high school credits. Students will receive transferable course accreditation in accordance with their local school board guidelines. For details on course curriculum, including prerequisites, please visit the "Courses" section of our website or have your school official contact MEI International Academy.
  • Best Teachers and Students
    Our unique learning environment requires that we hand-pick our staff based on their academic knowledge and training, ability to fully utilize the most contemporary teaching methods, the extent of their travel experience and most importantly, their passion for teaching young adults. Our 12:1 student to staff ratio allows teachers the time to nurture students individually and provide valuable and inspirational guidance towards the next step in their education. At the end of their journey, students will receive an anecdotal report card detailing their academic and personal performance and growth. Many of our alumni go on to return as faculty members. This provides a consistent ethos that has continued throughout the generations of our programs.