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 — 8: We arrive in Portugal’s illustrious capital—Lisbon. Whether climbing one of Lisbon’s seven hills or listening to a performance of Portugal’s famed Fado music, you naturally connect and are inspired by this ancient port city. Our classes vary between exploring hidden gems and nurturing creative pieces to be performed in small cafés of the Alfama. This is a perfect location to begin our studies of the modern era with the Age of Exploration. We trace Christopher Columbus’ historic 1492 voyage, and the subsequent Columbus exchange that changed the face of our modern world.

Days 8 — 13: We continue into Spain and land in Madrid, where food and art enthusiasts instantly fall in love with this enchanting city. Whether wandering its elegant boulevards, exploring its world-famous Prado museum filled with European art by Goya, Velázquez and Ruben or admiring the city's golden glow as the sun sets, this Spanish metropolis captures the imagination. An afternoon exploring the Royal Palace allows us to examine the height of luxurious living that revealed the wealth of the new world discoveries and trade. You will collaborate in small groups to present your learnings, followed by class discussions. We will analyze literature over tapas dinners in the evenings and participate in Spanish culture's relaxed, social atmosphere.

Days 13 — 18: Barcelona has inspired writers and artists for over two thousand years with its vibrant colours, unmatched architecture, and Catalan cuisine. Here we delve into the rise and fall of the Spanish Empire after the end of Muslim rule in 1492. Lasting over 800 years, the Islamic Empire was erased as the Spanish Inquisitors aimed to convert the citizens to Catholic culture. We will practice storytelling skills here by developing character sketches while 'people watching' along Las Ramblas. Our tour of La Sagrada Familia, the masterpiece of Antoni Gaudi, will provide insight into how the Spanish revere their religious faith and admire their inspired artists. Between lunches along the Mediterranean and dinners in the Gothic quarter, you get a taste of this world-class culinary culture.

Days 18 — 24: After crossing the Pyrenees, we arrive in France. 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 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 24 — 29: 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 Gimmelwald. 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. Academically, we work on essay writing for English and receive one-on-one mentorship in History while enjoying morning coffee overlooking the Alps.

Days 29 — 35: In Munich, we examine the details of the rise of Nazi Germany and trace the impact of the National Socialist movement on 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 profoundly impacts us all. Here, we will discuss significant challenges that the new world order faces as we move into the 21st century.

Departure from Munich 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 evaluation style enjoyable and the most authentic way for students to demonstrate their knowledge and academic skills.