• Why Study English and World Issues in Africa?
  Pairing the grade 12 World Studies and English courses will provide students with a grounding in the sociopolitical context of the region and the academic writing and literary skills to develop a more holistic understanding of a rapidly changing Africa. The MEI World Studies and English program will lead students into one of the most exciting classrooms in the world - Tanzania, in central east Africa. At the core of our travels and studies in Africa will be our self-directed community service projects designed to offer students a variety of practical experiences to engage in community development. Whether collaborating on alternative income generating projects, promoting health education, or engaging with local youth, students will have the chance to take an active role towards sustainable global change. Residing at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro, students will have the opportunity to step into the world of Maasai culture, track a herd of elephants while on safari and test their Swahili skills at local coffee shops in both Moshi and Arusha. By studying regional literature from a wide variety of sources, students will refine their analytical, critical and communication skills, while gaining a broader perspective of the impact of globalization, poverty and development on the continent.

Courses

Courses offered for grade 12 students

• World Issues Grade 12 and English Grade 12

  This program delves deep into global issues within an African context. By studying sustainability, conflict resolution, poverty alleviation, environmental conservation, and foreign aid, students will gain insight into the challenges facing Africa's progress in the modern global context. Integrated with a practical volunteer component, students will have the chance to develop and work on a variety of community development projects such as promoting health education, generating alternative income projects, or addressing local issues through arts and recreation. Their practical hands-on experience coupled with their examination of a variety of African-themed literary works, will allow students to broaden their understanding of their role as global citizens within the larger context of globalization.

Itinerary

• Important Dates
  
  • Program Begins: June 29th, 2012
  • Departure Date: July 6th, 2012
  • Return Date: August 9th, 2012
  • Arrive in Toronto: August 10th, 2012

• Online Component Begins: June 29th, 2012 (Day 1-5)
  Students will complete five days of online preparation, spending 1.5 hours a day on each academic course. That way, students can complete their first assignments and start connecting with their future classmates.
• Departure from Toronto - July 6th, 2012 (Day 6-7)
  Our North American departure hub is Toronto's Pearson International Airport. Five hours prior to our departure, a short meeting will be held at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Terminal 3, to distribute course packs and maps and to clarify travel procedures. All students are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to the Sheraton Gateway Hotel. Students making alternate arrangements must contact MEI before March 31, 2012.
• Moshi (Day 8-28)
  Our African hub will be a community and environmentally conscious lodge on the picturesque outskirts of Moshi in northeast Tanzania. Home to the Chaga and Maasai tribes, Moshi is a culturally eclectic community surrounded by some of Africa's most famous landscapes and national parks. Situated on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest mountain, and in close proximity to the Serengeti, Moshi is an ideal location to delve into a exploration of the UN's Millenium Development Goals and issues of sustainability and foreign aid. A former colony, the history of Tanzania is coloured by the impact of colonized rule as well as its relative proximity to armed conflicts in neighbouring regions. Here, students will delve into village life and set to work on their service projects with emphasis on meaningful engagement in order to set a foundation for sustainability in coming years. They will provide support by working with adolescents in health education, collaborative community building and income generating activities. While studying the economic, social and political issues that face Tanzanians and the larger continent of Africa, students will immerse themselves in local community affairs in order to develop their own perspective and hone their critical thinking skills. By the end of their three week stay, students will establish meaningful relationships and broaden their perspective on contemporary African and global issues.
• Safari Tanzania (Day 29-31)
  Students will venture southwest to go on safari at the ideal time to witness the wildebeest migration. On Safari, students will have the opportunity to explore an astonishing diversity of landscapes and abundant concentrations of wildlife, such as big herds of zebra, elephant and lion prides on the open plains of Africa. They will stay overnight under the huge Baobab trees and catch a glimpse of giraffes and antelope arriving at communal watering holes as the sun rises. Their incredible adventure on safari will be an experience of a lifetime students will not soon forget.
• Arusha (Day 32-39)
  After exploring the natural beauty of rural Africa on safari, Arusha is the perfect location for students to experience contemporary urban Africa. Tanzania's long standing reputation as a peaceful nation is exemplified in the international diplomatic hub of Arusha, host to the UN Security Council's International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Students will be immediately swept up in the hustle and bustle of the city's busy streets, teeming with fruit vendors, dalla-dallas and craft markets. Students can test out their Swahili in one of the city's cafes, play a pick-up soccer game or try a dish of ugali while listening to the latest Bongo Flavor hit at a local restaurant. Here, students will engage in their ISUs with their teachers, finish their coursework and write final exams. Their odyssey in Africa will no doubt be an emotional and affecting one, and their time in Arusha will allow students to reflect on themselves as global citizens as they prepare to return home and take the next steps in their journey.
• Departure from Arusha and Arrive Home (Day 40 - 41)
  

• Journey to Africa
  Our journey in Africa begins at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, in a quaint rural community on the outskirts of MOSHI. Students will reside in a solar-powered, community conscious lodge that serves as a hub for village development. This is the ideal setting for students to immerse themselves in the challenges of creating sustainable change at a grassroots level. While in the village, students will test their culinary courage by trying local African staples such as ugali, a stiff dough made from maize, heaps of plantain and barbecued goat!


• From Moshi, students will continue their trek on an overland safari to TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK. Surrounded by elusive tree climbing lions, herds of wildebeests, and crowd-pleasing hyenas, students will set-up camp as the sun sets and enjoy a hearty meal cooked over an open fire.


• From Tarangire National Park, students will make their way to the bustling city of ARUSHA. The prominence of the Maasai peoples in the region will allow students the opportunity to engage with members of the nomadic tribal community and particpate in local customs. An array of local culinary treats are available in Arusha and students will have the opportunity to try everything from exotic fruits to chips mayai and stone-oven pizzas.

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!

• Transportation
  
  • Return airfare from Toronto's Pearson International Airport
  • Transportation between hotel locations via private coach
  • Transportation for all listed program excursions
  • Transfers to all accommodations
• Trip Related
  
  • Hotels and accommodations
  • Breakfast and dinner daily
  • Entrance fees to all course-specific sites
• Course Components
  
  • Ministry-approved credit(s) upon successful completion of the course(s)
  • Custom course pack
  • Student Login
  • MEI journal
  • Digital yearbook
  • Fall reunion