• The educational odyssey...
  The educators at MEI have researched the best interactive teaching locations and methods and have integrated them into the International Business curricula. Imagine exploring the bustling streets of Manhattan, taking in a show in London's theatre district or discussing world politics in Munich. At MEI, there are no walls, no desks, and no blackboards - just the world.
• MEI adventure days...
  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.

• Itinerary
  
  • Course Begins: July 5, 2010
  • Departure Date: July 11, 2010
  • Return Date: August 14, 2010

• Online: Begins July 5, 2010 (Day 1-5)
  Student preparation and a strong knowledge-base are vital for an enriched educational experience. To ensure students get the most from their on-site learning, each MEI program begins with a preparatory online component. For 5 days students will get started on course material in the comfort of their own home. Through this process of readings, short assignments, and online chats, students will get a better understanding of the course material and make connections with classmates. This allows students to hit the ground running as soon as they arrive overseas and dive straight into the adventure that awaits them.
• Toronto (Day 6-7)
  Every business venture has a plan. Our time in Toronto will be spent looking at what makes a successful financial plan while identifying common pitfalls. Students will be residing in the financial district of Toronto, which will provide quick access to stockbrokers, investment firms and other financial institutions. Top professionals in the industry will offer students foundational knowledge and concepts of business. This course will be as much a personal investigation as a journey into the world of commerce, and through daily journal writing and reflections, students will develop their own financial goals. Students will be exploring investment vehicles from the stock market, to real estate, to running a business. Each student will utilize their own laptop computer in order to facilitate their learning of internet stock trading and business research techniques.
• New York(Day 7-14)
  The 'Big Apple' never fails to mesmerize and dazzle. Students will feel the power, opulence and energy of 'Big Business' in action, as they attend workshops on investing and tutorial sessions on setting up computers for internet trading. As well, local market gurus will guide students in utilizing investment strategies. Dealing with trade reports, financial news, technical data and the good old fashioned rumour mill will be an integral part of each day's activities. Wall Street is where fortunes are made and money changes hands at the speed of light. Students will learn how to analyse the major economic indicators and how they influence the stock market and sectors of the economy. Students will also have the opportunity to venture into the shopping districts of the city and visit some of the well-known cultural centres as well as attend an Off Broadway play or musical. The English course will focus on developing essay techniques and analysing essays on current events that affect the economy.
• Departure for London from New York (Day 14)
• London (Day 15-21)
  As students arrive in the centre of the British Commonwealth, they will realize by the pace and direction of traffic that things work differently in London. The capital of England is the heart of the legendary British Empire, and stories of old money, proper etiquette and protocol are imperative to understanding how profitable business relationships are conducted. Students will reside in the centre of London with easy access to the Royal Exchange, the Bank of England, Westminster and the Theatre District. Students will conduct case studies on how businesses have entered foreign markets and investigate the most common mistakes made. Various laws concerning taxation, exports, imports and transportation of goods will be examined; students will get a taste of what it takes for a "deal of the century" to come to fruition. Students will study Shakespeare and attend a performance at the Globe Theatre.
• Paris (Day 21-29)
  The ferry across the English Channel is a short distance, but a noticeable cultural divide. As students walk the streets of Paris they will be on a mission to discover a profitable product or service that could be imported from North America. Students will reside in the Les Halles district where the old and new-world markets coexist, providing ample inspiration for the study of modern literature. Here, students will receive firsthand accounts of the challenges that exist in the "City of Light." As they walk through the manicured gardens of Paris, the opulent Palace of Versailles and the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral, the ghosts of the grand and the humble alike will come alive.
• Strasbourg (Day 29-32)
  As we venture into the Alsace region, travelling along the Rhine River, we will settle into the gentle flow and atmosphere of this world-class city. Today, Strasbourg is home to the European Union and will be a natural setting for discussions on the influence of the European powers in the world economy. Money and the valuation of currencies will be the focus of our business discussions. At this point, students will be accustomed to making conversions from North American to European currencies - just one more variable in the process of conducting a profitable international business. Debates on business ethics and issues of the responsibility of CEOs will provide topics for thesis papers.
• Excursion to Neuschwanstein (Day 32)
  We will climb the foothills of the Alps to view the dynamic landscape of Germany. This day always proves to be breathtaking and revitalizing.
• Munich (32-40)
  Upon arriving in Munich students will be surrounded by the latest and greatest innovations in technology. Munich is recognized for its progressive and aggressive business ethos and is an ideal location to complete final projects. Students will utilize the Deutsches Museum (one of the largest industrial museums in the world) for inspiration and background knowledge. Lectures and activities will guide students on an emotional journey as they trace the impact of Hitler's National Socialist movement. Students will utilize literature concerning the Nazi era in order to gain perspective on how politics and world events influence business and ethics. Upon completion of Independent Study Units, students will have their final dinner in a Bavarian garden bistro before returning home with their wealth of knowledge and experiences.
• Departure for Toronto, August 14, 2010 (Day 40)

• 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 cheesecake, fish and chips, crêpes, and bratwurst 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!

• 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