• What is a Semester Abroad ?
  This program is designed to provide you with a semester that balances academic structure and stimulation, with adventure and athletics. Each day will be a new odyssey that begins with physical activities and journal writing that will ignite your spirit for adventure, and then moves into lectures and on-site activities that will pull you into some of the most dynamic areas of the world. In the afternoons, you will have the opportunity to strike out with friends to explore cities, beaches, and museums, providing a kaleidoscope of experiences. In the evenings, you will delve into thoughtful conversations while savouring the best cuisine of your life. Our days will be spent discussing world issues, great works of literature, and the philosophical ideas that have shaped the world in which we live. MEI's semester abroad will provide students with the opportunity to earn four high school courses that will lay the foundation for university studies and a lifetime of living and learning.

• Why take an MEI Semester Abroad ?
  There are few opportunities in a lifetime when you have the time and space to think about what you really want to do.
  Our MEI semester abroad is the best way to see the world in a safe environment while getting into the best physical and mental shape of your life.
  A full semester with MEI is designed to lay the foundation for a lifetime of living and learning and to empower you to become a citizen of the world.

Courses

Students will select from the list below:

• Fall Semester Course OPTIONS

• Students Choose ONE English Course:
  English- Grade 11 or 12
  Studies in Literature - Grade 12
  Writer's Craft - Grade 12
• Students Choose ONE Humanities Course:
  World Issues: A Geographic Analysis - Grade 12
  World Geography: Human Patterns and Interactions - Grade 12
  World In Transition: Interdisciplinary Studies- Grade 11
• Students Choose ONE Business Course:
  International Business - Grade 12
  Business Leadership: Management Fundamentals- Grade 12
• Students Choose ONE Physical Education Course:
  Exercise Science - Grade 12
  Healthy Active Living - Grade 11 or 12

• There is no typical day at MEI, and we take great pride in designing each day to be an inspiring and adventurous learning experience. We take advantage of our 12:1 student-to-staff ratio and disperse activities and lessons throughout the day, so that rather than sitting in a lecture hall, the world is our classroom. Students will utilize laptop computers to assist with research, assignments and communication with those at home. All of the courses at MEI are accredited through the Upper Grand District School Board and are recognized by individual school boards throughout Canada and the United States. Students are required to write exams, tests and essays and complete an Independent Study Unit for each course.
• Dates
• (Early September to Mid-December)

• FIRST Semester:

• Preparation (Day 1-20)
  To get the most out of your odyssey, preparation is essential. In early September, students will begin reading course texts, completing short assignments, and connecting with classmates in order to gain a better understanding of our program's mission. This allows students to hit the ground running and dive straight into the adventure that awaits them.
• New York City (Day 21-28)
  The first leg of our year's journey will start in one of the most vibrant locations on the planet - New York City. From its history of immigration on Ellis Island to its current position on the world stage as a centre for business, artistry, and culture, there is no better place to begin our global adventure. Here, we will lay the foundation of our program with morning workouts in Central Park, English workshops at the MoMa, Business studies on 5th Avenue, and World Issues discussions at Ground Zero. Students will be filled with the energy of international trade as they stand on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange and are swept up in the world of Wall Street. They will record live podcasts in Central Park and take in the city's famous sites such as the Empire State Building, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Statue of Liberty. Finally, students will participate in their first of four "Apprentice" style competitions on 5th Avenue. The winners will then indulge in the fruits of their labour at one of the city's finest restaurants before taking in a live show on Broadway.
• Beijing (Day 29-34)
  Landing in Beijing, students will venture into the heart of the People's Republic of China, tracing the steps of emperors through the Forbidden City and discussing the teachings of Chairman Mao as they cross Tiananmen Square. Beijing is the perfect location to begin our study of the contrasts between the East and West, communism and capitalism, and our core themes which will frame both semesters. Students will delve into the fascinating history and modern contradictions and complications of the People's Republic as they make their way through the city's bustling markets and hutongs, and around the legendary Great Wall. Before we depart, students will also have the opportunity to participate in a morning Tai Chi ritual with local practitioners and sample local delicacies such as Peking Duck and dumplings.
• Yangtze River Expedition (Day 34-41)
  Leaving the density of urban China behind them, students will move into Hubei Province and cruise along the Yangtze River as they embark on the next phase of their eastern adventure. The third largest river in the world, the Yangtze will form the avenue for explorations into the dynamics of human settlement patterns, intensive natural resource usage, and analyses of China's complex regional economic disparities. Excursions up tributaries to the ghost city of Fengdu and the ancient settlement on Mount Wushan will bring the impact of 3000 years of history and development into sharp focus while students read excerpts from Sun Tzu's Art of War and Chairman Mao's Little Red Book.
• Hong Kong (Day 41-46)
  Students will arrive in Hong Kong, where British capitalism and Chinese tradition have collided and coalesced to create an international financial epicentre. Amidst this architectural labyrinth, we will dive into a world of contrasts from the lively Tsim Sha Tsui district to the serene Tian Tan Buddha. Exploring the city's fusion, students will emerge with a firsthand understanding of the East meeting the West and the realities of economic globalization. A visit to the WWII cemetery where Canadian, British, and Indian soldiers are buried will further frame the context of Hong Kong's current position on the global stage, while foreshadowing fateful events studied on the western leg of our odyssey.
• South Vietnam (Day 46-56)
  Traveling south, students will be immersed in a Vietnam of today that is infused with culture, life and energy. Steeped in history and buzzing with motorbikes, this 'Little Tiger' of the East teems with commerce, allowing students to interact with locals competing for a share of the marketplace. Vietnam is the perfect locale for the study of economic and political development in nations afflicted by centuries of colonization and war. The mist-shrouded mountains and monsoon-dampened temples of the highlands will bring the diverse elements of Confucianism, Buddhism and the remnants of French culture together while students investigate topical literature.
• Cambodian Excursion (Day 56-64)
  Landing in Phnom Penh, the 'Pearl of Asia', students will head to Angkor Wat, where they will ride majestic elephants as they explore the site. Here, the beauty and tranquility of this region is tainted by the tragic legacy of the Khmer Rouge's 'Killing Fields'. Our serene beachside stay will be a respite from the rigours of travel and will provide students with the necessary academic conditions in order to prepare for their mid-term evaluations. The warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand will allow us to reenergize as we continue our conditioning tand examination of kinetic dynamics and human performance with yoga, rock climbing, and surfing.
• Nepal (Day 64-73)
  For the second half of the Fall Semester, students will fly north to Nepal where they will read, write, and reflect high in the Himalayan Mountain range. Embarking on hikes along the base of legendary Mount Everest, students will be in the perfect setting to connect with an inner spirit of endurance as they complete challenging day hikes. Delving into discussions about cultural belief systems, students will make correlations between spiritual practices, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, and the human condition. What was once one of the most inaccessible regions on the earth, is now the Mecca in the world of trekking; students will explore the valleys of Kathmandu, the land of yaks and the Sherpa, as they hone their creative writing skills through reflective journaling, poetry, and song writing.
• Delhi and Agra (Day 73-81)
  Mirroring the footsteps of Alexander the Great, students will descend onto the Indus plain to explore the city of Delhi. Here, investigations into the development of economically-poor but resource-rich regions of Asia will pick up in pace. India's second largest city has one of the fastest growing retail industries in the world and students will see how it has evolved into one of the most sought after 'office hotspots'. Marked by ancient and medieval archaeology, this capital city is a commercial, political, and cultural hub filled with museums and art galleries showcasing the confluence of British and Indian influences. Traveling India would be incomplete without experiencing the chaos of the Indian railways. From Delhi, students will travel further south to the ancient city of Agra, home to one of India's most spectacular sights, the Taj Mahal. The world's finest example of Mughal architecture, blending Persian, Islamic and Indian styles, the Taj Mahal is the perfect location for students to discuss Indian cultural and religious traditions.
• Rajastan (Day 81-87)
  India's 'Land of Colours' is home to the Great Indian Desert, the tiger preserve at Sariska, the oldest archaeological ruins on the sub-continent, and the World Heritage Site at Keoladeo. Jaipur, a surprisingly spacious metropolis of 3.5 million, is the business hub of Rajastan and the ideal location for students to begin preparations for their business proposals. Our next business competition will use the World Business Park as our backdrop. Activities will have students analyzing differences across Western, Chinese, and Indian cultures towards international trade and business. For a switch of pace, our visit to the 'Palace of Winds' will connect students with the importance of Krishna to Hindu life in India. Moving to Udaipur, a 'City of Lakes', students will enjoy the relaxed beauty of the Venice of the East. As the birthplace of Bagheera from Kipling's The Jungle Book, the city offers students a unique canvas to discuss the role of Orientalism and 'the other' in Western literature. Morning yoga classes will provide students with the chance to assess their physical progress as they learn from a Hatha master.
• Mumbai (Day 87-91)
  Students will delve into India's financial powerhouse, and its centre of fashion, film, and culture, as they witness the dichotomy of rich power brokers and widespread poverty. Climbing toward a new global identity, Mumbai is the ideal eastern location to examine changing world financial markets and the development of a new world superpower. Assigned readings from the author Rohinton Mistry will be used as a springboard into discussions on Indian culture and will encourage students to develop a greater familiarity with the nuances of modern India. Analyzing his storylines and interweaving their own experiences over flavourful dishes of naan, buttered chicken, and curries, students will begin to solidify their understanding of Mumbai, once infamous for its slums, now ranked by Forbes as one of the 'Top Ten Cities for Billionaires.'
• Goa (Day 91-100)
  From the hustle and bustle of Mumbai, students will wind down their semester in the city of Goa, a former Portuguese colony with 70 km of unbroken beach. Whether sitting in the shadows of grand cathedrals, watching the nearby Dudhsagar Falls, or taking in the energy from the lively Mapusa Market, the muses will be endless as students pull together all they have accomplished. After completing final evaluations and examinations, students will have a chance to rest on Palolem Beach and recharge on the yoga-friendly white sand of Mandrem. Celebrating the end of term in India's paradise, students will then fly home - just in time for the holidays.

• Meals
  Eating is a sacred art at MEI. Breakfasts and dinners are held in relaxed settings, providing students an opportunity for meaningful discussions revolving around the day's events and insights discovered through their daily journeys. Dinners are held on site and meal time offers students diverse culinary options. Whether sitting down at a local restaurant or preparing a picnic in the park, students will enjoy some of the most delicious and delightful international cuisine. Students should be prepared to enjoy the best gelato, pastas, moussakas and gyros of their lives!
• Accommodations
  To ensure an authentic and enriched cultural experience, students stay in top rated hotels that are centrally located in the very heart of each city.

MEI Gear

• Clothing and Accessories
  At MEI, we not only provide our students with the best possible education, staff and travel experience - we also provide them with the best in fashion and accessories! After years of experience, we understand that having the proper clothing is an important aspect of travelling. With that in mind, we have designed a number of clothing articles for all types of climates and activities so the student can be prepared for any situation. From hoodies and tees to windbreakers and flip-flops, MEI gear allows you to travel in comfort and in style! MEI gear includes other items as well, like our high-quality water bottles. Each student is also issued a beautifully bound journal for their travel writing and cultural observations.
• Health and Fitness
  Healthy living, exercise and active learning is a big part of the MEI lifestyle. Each morning students are encouraged to start their day off on the right foot by doing some exercises or exploring the city with a supervised jog. With our MEI workout gear, keeping in shape will be easy and comfortable. Healthy bodies equal healthy minds, and students who are in the best physical condition are sure to stave off fatigue and make the most of their experience abroad.
• MEI Gear Store Coming Soon
  Look here for ways to order exclusive MEI gear soon!