- Costa Brava
- Málaga
- Lisbon
- The Algarve
Why Take this Program?
Each day is designed to help you craft news stories, take pictures, capture videos, and gain insight into what it takes to bring a script to screen. As our world becomes more media-focused, it is essential to have a firm grasp of the tools you need to communicate on a wide variety of social media platforms. Whether it is Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or your blog, this field of work is diverse and dynamic. If you are interested in this profession, our program will lay the foundation for you to excel at the university level.










What People Are Saying


The MEI Media program taught me how to take my camera out of automatic mode. Once I cracked the code, the sites and sounds of Spain and Portugal came alive. I’ve created images that now hang in my dorm, and remind me that there are more ways than one to learn about the world and myself.
Matthew Mei
Media Student, Term 3 Europe: Kingdoms, 2019
Program Itinerary
Explore this program's detailed itinerary for a sense of the journey ahead!



Program Preparation
Online Foundation Work
We start this program with one week of Online Live sessions. You will meet virtually with your teachers and classmates daily to read and discuss assigned readings and begin research projects. The Foundation Work period gives you a chance to review major assignments and get to know your crew so that you can hit the ground running when you land in your first location.
Departure
Day 1: All of our programs begin at our study-abroad departure hub, Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. Five hours before departure, a short meeting is held at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Terminal 3, to distribute course packs, T-shirts and MEI Journals, 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.






Barcelona
Days 2-6: Our media program hits the ground running in Barcelona as we capture the inspirational sites along Las Ramblas, Gaudi’s Park Güell and La Sagrada Familia. Each day students get more comfortable with their cameras as they explore and capture the stories hidden in the streets of this Gothic city. Foodies can craft pictures of the Catalan cuisine, while students interested in architecture will find an endless supply of unusual buildings to capture on film. Our video blogs focus on interviewing locals and delving into the issues that are top of mind. Additionally, the nearby beach will fill our screens with a kaleidoscope of activities from sand soccer to beach volleyball.
Costa Brava
Days 6-11: The deep blue of the Mediterranean affords us a respite from the energy of Barcelona as we settle into our hotel along Spain’s rugged coast. During ‘golden hour’, sunrises on the beach and sunsets in the mountains, we capture the tranquil mood of the Mediterranean coastline. In the afternoon, we climb through coves and hills that dot the shoreline making for an excellent location to rejuvenate the creative mind and plan out our film creations. Masterclasses focus on developing photos using Adobe Creative Cloud programs such as Lightroom and Premiere Pro. These sessions will allow for tailored feedback that help students hone their skills.






Málaga
Days 11-16: As the city that grew to importance before the Romans ruled the Mediterranean—and centuries later gave the world Picasso—Málaga still holds a wondrous sway in the south of Spain. With a vibrant art scene, golden beaches, and a dynamic combination of Christian and Moorish architecture, students use this as a creative backdrop to develop their media skills. Here, students participate in small group presentations and show their work thus far.
Lisbon
Days 16-20: Next, we depart for Portugal and arrive in its illustrious capital—Lisbon. Here, students refine the branding of their blog sites and continue to post advanced social media content. Performing artists fill the streets, and Portugal’s famed Fado music can be heard each night in this ancient port city. Our classes vary between finding and capturing hidden gems with various lenses and developing students’ ‘Carpe Deim’ projects.






The Algarve
Days 20-25: The Algarve provides us with a beachside village where students balance their time between completing final academic work and exploring the footpaths and caves along the coast. Students present their final photo portfolios and video projects in an art festival style extravaganza! Such fun to see the creative spirit of young students alive and well as we conclude our summer’s journey.
Departure from Lisbon Airport (Day 25)
Online Final Evaluation Week
During this week, you will have time for one-on-one presentations and discussions using Zoom. This week will give you time to complete additional research and pull together the work and insights you gained from your travel experiences. You will also complete culminating assignments and an online, interactive examination. MEI students and teachers have found this evaluation style enjoyable and the most authentic and thorough method to demonstrate what you have learned and experienced during the summer.



Program Itinerary
Explore this program's detailed itinerary for a sense of the journey ahead!



Program Preparation
Online Foundation Work



Departure
Day 1: All of our programs begin at our study-abroad departure hub, Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. Five hours before departure, a short meeting is held at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Terminal 3, to distribute course packs, T-shirts and MEI Journals, 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.



Barcelona
Days 2-6: Our media program hits the ground running in Barcelona as we capture the inspirational sites along Las Ramblas, Gaudi’s Park Güell and La Sagrada Familia. Each day students get more comfortable with their cameras as they explore and capture the stories hidden in the streets of this Gothic city. Foodies can craft pictures of the Catalan cuisine, while students interested in architecture will find an endless supply of unusual buildings to capture on film. Our video blogs focus on interviewing locals and delving into the issues that are top of mind. Additionally, the nearby beach will fill our screens with a kaleidoscope of activities from sand soccer to beach volleyball.



Costa Brava
Days 6-11: The deep blue of the Mediterranean affords us a respite from the energy of Barcelona as we settle into our hotel along Spain’s rugged coast. During ‘golden hour’, sunrises on the beach and sunsets in the mountains, we capture the tranquil mood of the Mediterranean coastline. In the afternoon, we climb through coves and hills that dot the shoreline making for an excellent location to rejuvenate the creative mind and plan out our film creations. Masterclasses focus on developing photos using Adobe Creative Cloud programs such as Lightroom and Premiere Pro. These sessions will allow for tailored feedback that help students hone their skills.



Málaga
Days 11-16: As the city that grew to importance before the Romans ruled the Mediterranean—and centuries later gave the world Picasso—Málaga still holds a wondrous sway in the south of Spain. With a vibrant art scene, golden beaches, and a dynamic combination of Christian and Moorish architecture, students use this as a creative backdrop to develop their media skills. Here, students participate in small group presentations and show their work thus far.



Lisbon
Days 16-20: Next, we depart for Portugal and arrive in its illustrious capital—Lisbon. Here, students refine the branding of their blog sites and continue to post advanced social media content. Performing artists fill the streets, and Portugal’s famed Fado music can be heard each night in this ancient port city. Our classes vary between finding and capturing hidden gems with various lenses and developing students’ ‘Carpe Deim’ projects.



The Algarve
Days 20-25: The Algarve provides us with a beachside village where students balance their time between completing final academic work and exploring the footpaths and caves along the coast. Students present their final photo portfolios and video projects in an art festival style extravaganza! Such fun to see the creative spirit of young students alive and well as we conclude our summer’s journey.
Departure from Lisbon Airport (Day 25)



Online Final Evaluation Week
During this week, you will have time for one-on-one presentations and discussions using Zoom. This week will give you time to complete additional research and pull together the work and insights you gained from your travel experiences. You will also complete culminating assignments and an online, interactive examination. MEI students and teachers have found this evaluation style enjoyable and the most authentic and thorough method to demonstrate what you have learned and experienced during the summer.
Barcelona
Costa Brava
Málaga
Lisbon
The Algarve
What’s Included
Fee Breakdown
Program Costs
- Ministry-approved credit(s) upon successful completion of the course(s)
- Custom course pack
- Student Login
- MEI journal
- MEI T-Shirt
- Digital yearbook
Travel Costs
- Hotels and accommodations
- Breakfast and dinner daily
- Entrance fees to all course-specific sites
- Return airfare from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport
- Approximate airline departure taxes, surcharges and fees
- Airfare between countries
- Transportation between hotel locations via private coach
- Transportation for all listed program excursions
Program Fee Does Not Include
- Lunches
- Insurances
- Gratuities
- Local Transportation
- Course texts
- Medical Insurance and Cancellation Protection†
- Non-refundable $95 Registration Fee
†All students travelling with MEI Academy are required to purchase Medical Insurance.
*Based on air fares, land tariffs and currency exchange rates as of January, 2019.
Please note the possibility of increases in airfares and land costs prior to departure. Any increase must be borne by the individual participant.
**Program cost does not include non-refundable $95 registration fee.
Ready to take the next step?