High School Study Abroad
Program in Europe

Reading lists will be posted on your program site in early May. Online pre-departure sessions with your teachers and classmates begin one week prior to departure. These virtual sessions are designed to introduce you to your classmates, teachers, and course work. Our goal is to prepare you to hit the ground running and reduce your workload onsite.

Day 1: On the day of departure, we meet at Toronto's Pearson International Airport. Here, we unite as a group to distribute coursepacks, T-shirts and MEI Journals. After a meet and greet, we board a flight to our first location.

Days 2 — 7: We start our journey in Barcelona, which has been an inspiration for writers and artists for over two thousand years with its vibrant colours, unmatched architecture, and Catalan cuisine. Here, we’ll learn about the Age of Discovery and 1492, we'll develop our writing skills and practice character development along Las Ramblas, poetry in Gaudi’s Park Güell, and travel writing in La Sagrada Familia, all between lunches along the Mediterranean and dinners in the Gothic quarter. If we’re lucky, we may even catch a glimpse of the world famous soccer team.

Days 7 — 10: We travel to Avignon, where we’ll explore the schism between the Catholic and Protestant movements and the battle between the Popes.

Days 10 — 18: After travelling north, we arrive in Paris and visit the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. This is the ideal time to delve into Three Day Road as we contemplate the sacrifices made by soldiers during WWI. In Paris, lessons focus on the Age of Enlightenment and the Age of Revolution as we debate the nature of humanity and the structure of civilization. In the crypt of the Pantheon, we revisit the arguments put forth by Rousseau and Voltaire that laid the foundation for the French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon. From bike rides in the Gardens of Versailles to visits to the Musée du Louvre, Paris is a once-in-a-lifetime immersion into French history and culture.

Days 18 — 23: Making our way to the top of Europe, we emerge from the Stechelberg gondola to find our new home in the picture-postcard Swiss village of Mürren. Here, we hike mountains and roast marshmallows by the fireside—with the clamour of giant cowbells, bleating mountain goats, and the sound of rushing waterfalls all around. Academically, we work on essay writing for English and receive one-on-one mentorship in History while enjoying morning coffee overlooking the Alps.

Days 23 — 29: In Munich, we examine the details of the rise of Nazi Germany and trace the impact of the National Socialist movement on both the European continent and the rest of the world. From Hitler's speeches at Odeonsplatz to the horrific legacy of the Dachau Concentration Camp, lectures and master classes place us directly where history happened—making for an educational experience that leaves a profound impact on us all.

Days 29 — 35: Though most commonly known for its wall and its role in the Cold War, Berlin has become one of Europe’s most dynamic cities with its flourishing arts scene. Whether immersing themselves in exploring the multi-layered history of Germany’s capital or gaining continuous exposure to variations of self-expression in the streets, students will find inspiration for their final assignments in this multicultural metropolis. One last dinner together along the Spree helps bookend a summer of literature, discovery, and newfound friends.

Departure from Berlin Airport on Day 35

Upon your return, you have time to complete additional research and pull your work together before your final one-on-one online assessment. This week allows you to reflect on your travel experiences and integrate them into the course material. MEI staff have found this style of evaluation enjoyable and the most authentic way for students to demonstrate their knowledge and academic skills.