• Why Study Business and English Together?
  The next phase of the world economy will see the East and West in close partnership to navigate the new world market. This course offers students a unique experience in the way these two worlds conduct business in six key cities of the global marketplace. Imagine walking onto the live trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange, or learning universal strategies utilized by successful business players in North America, Asia, and Europe. As we cross the globe, you will engage with professionals of diverse backgrounds, from stockbrokers working the floor, business owners marketing their product and venture capitalists promoting a dream. The integration of English and Business into one cohesive program will complement the elements of each course. Studying classic literature from both Eastern and Western cannons will ground the Business course by providing context to the program and developing fundamental technical and critical thinking skills – all of which are key elements in the dynamic culture of international business.

Courses

Courses offered for grade 12 students:

• International Business - Grade 12 &
  English - Grade 12

  (Students have the choice between English or Studies in Literature)
  The next phase of the global economy will see the East and West in close partnership to navigate the new world market. This course offers students a unique experience in the way these two worlds conduct business in six key cities of the global marketplace.
  The intentions of this program are practical in nature; students will learn how successful business players invest and the universal strategies they utilize. Students will engage with professionals of diverse backgrounds, from stock brokers working the floor, business owners marketing their product and venture capitalists promoting adream. The integration of English and Business into one cohesive program will complement the elements of each course. Students will study classic literature from both Eastern and Western cannons, such as a comparative study on Machiavelli’s The Prince and Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. They will also examine and compare works from William Shakespeare, Lu Xun, Chairman Mao, Og Mandino and Warren Buffet. Individual case studies will provide clues for students as they explore the personal and professional lives of such business legends as Lee Iaccoca, Donald Trump and Peter Lynch. The English course will ground the Business course by providing context to the program and developing fundamental technical and critical thinking skills.

Itinerary

• Dates
  
  • Course Begins: July 4, 2012
  • Departure Date: July 11, 2012
  • Return Date: August 14, 2012

• Predeparture Meeting (Mid-June)
• Online Component (Day 1 - 5)
  Our online pre-departure component is aimed at ensuring our students are ready to hit the ground running so they can enjoy every minute of their summer journey. 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.
• Toronto (July 11 - Day 6-7)
  Students will suit up in their finest to visit the charged boardrooms of Toronto’s most influential businesses. They will learn firsthand what it takes to make it in a successful organization as they shake hands with some of Bay Street’s most powerful players. Workshops with top professionals in the fields of finance, trade and marketing will introduce students to the dynamic culture of international business and invigorate them for what is to come.
• New York City (July 12 - Day 7-13)
  From Toronto, students will head to the infamous streets of Manhattan. They will understand the true influence of ‘Big Business’ as they make trades in front of the Financial District’s legendary bull statue and walk down the gilded staircase of Trump Tower. Students will be filled with the energy of global trade as they land on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange and are swept up in the world of Wall Street. They will record podcasts live 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 compete in their first of four “Apprentice” style, culminating tasks on Fifth Avenue. The winners will then indulge in the fruits of their labour at one of the city’s fine restaurants before taking in a live show on Broadway.
• Departure for London from New York (Day 13)
• London (Day 14 - 20)
  Students will land in the heart of the former British Empire. In London, they will learn the worth of ‘old money’ in Western culture at the Royal Exchange, the Bank of England, and Westminster Abbey. Students will conduct small business case studies in Camden Market, deliver rants at Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park, and see Shakespeare performed live at the Globe Theatre. At this point in the program, students will have a one-on-one interview with their teacher where they will be presenting their securities investments, business proposals and portfolio of English writings.
• Paris (Day 20 - 26)
  As students arrive in Paris, they will change pace as focus shifts to the art of communication and the importance of aesthetics and branding. There is no better location to study the touch and feel of quality in products and marketing than walking down the lavish Champs Elysée, the birthplace of haute couture. With every step, students will encounter the flagships of the world’s most famous and influential fashion houses from Chanel and Christian Dior to Louis Vuitton and Hermès. Opulence and grandeur are what make Paris the “City of Light,” so students will visit the manicured Luxemburg Gardens and the infamous Château de Versailles to understand the role of decadence and luxury in the marketplace. Students will marvel at the priceless works of the Musée du Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay and look out over the sparkling lights of the city from the top of the iconic Tour Eiffel.
• Flight from Paris to Hong Kong (Day 26)
• Hong Kong (Day 27 - 34)
  From Paris, students will fly to Hong Kong where East truly meets West. British capitalism and Chinese tradition have collided to create an international financial epicentre and Hong Kong is now a combination of old world charm and new world technology. Amidst this architectural labyrinth, we will dive into a world of contrasts as students participate in business-related competitions negotiating the streets of the lively Tsim Sha Tsui district. Under the shadow of the serene Tian Tan Buddha, students will examine this highly developed capitalist economy through group case studies and interactive market analysis. Exploring this unique fusion of East and West, students will emerge with a firsthand understanding of international economic globalization.
• Beijing (Day 34 - 40)
  From Hong Kong, the students will fly to Beijing, the capital of communist China. Venturing into the heart of Beijing, students will explore the ancient Forbidden City after crossing Tiananmen Square where Mao proclaimed the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Focus will be on the manufacturing industry and the importing and exporting of goods from China. Students will visit various factories in order to get a firsthand glimpse of the powerful engine that drives the Chinese economy and their people. Learning the ins and outs of the silk, jade, and pearl industries, students will develop their negotiation skills as they make their way through the bustling markets of the city and around the legendary Great Wall.
• Departure from Beijing for Toronto (Day 40)

• International Business: NYC Hong Kong Beijing London Paris
  In TORONTO, students will stay on Bay Street in the heart of downtown. They will hit the ground running and dive their coursework in the day, visiting the offices of Toronto based securities firms to meet with CEOs in the industry. In the evening, students will enjoy an eclectic array of dining options to suit any craving from sushi to Spanish fusion.
• From Toronto, students will head to NEW YORK CITY, students will stay on Broadway in the theatre district, one of Manhattan’s most exciting neighbourhoods. From street vendors selling roasted nuts, hot dogs and piping hot coffee to the elegant shops on Fifth Avenue and the lush oasis of Central Park, students will have the city that never sleeps at their fingertips.
• In LONDON, students will reside a stone's throw from St. James Park, the oldest of the royal parks in the city. Bounded by Buckingham Palace to the west, St. James Park is an ideal location to hold lectures, afternoon picnics and act as a central jumping off point to the rest of the city. Contrary to popular belief, there is more than pub grub available on the streets of London. From Indian dosas to handmade Italian pastas, students will expand their culinary horizons in this international city. From London, students will sail across the English Channel heading toward the City of Light.
• In PARIS, we will reside on the left bank of the Seine in the heart of the buzzing Latin Quarter. Known for its lively atmosphere and quaint bistros, the Latin Quarter is both an ideal hub to explore the sprawling arrondissements of Paris, as well as the perfect location to find and sample all that Parisian cuisine has to offer. From street crepes and fresh croissants to classic picnics shopped for in the local market and shared in nearby Luxembourg Gardens, students will have the opportunity to try some of the most delicious French food in all of Paris.
• In HONG KONG, students will stay in a beautiful luxury hotel overlooking the magical Victoria Harbour in the Kowloon district of the city. A very cosmopolitan culture, students will be able to chow down on whatever style of food their hearts desire, from sushi to pasta to Chinese hot pot. Hong Kong is wonderful gateway into the culinary east, and students will have plenty of opportunity to develop their palettes by sampling exotic eastern flavours.
• In BEIJING, students will be centrally located right outside the Forbidden City and steps from the Silk Market and Tian'anmen Square in the Chaoyang district. They will have the opportunity to go on a culinary journey of a lifetime, trying Beijing roast duck or hot and spicy Szechuan dishes as they explore the city’s streets teeming with people and adventure.

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