- Paris
- Swiss Alps
- Amsterdam
- Berlin
Why Take this Program?
Explore the making of the Western world and discover how the beliefs and ideas are more important than the dates and names. This epic summer journey traces the past 500 years of our modern history as we travel through Paris, Switzerland, Amsterdam, and Berlin. From philosophers to revolutionaries, from soldiers to spies—we follow in the footsteps of the people who shaped our world.










What People Are Saying


My time abroad with MEI academy allowed me to make lasting friendships with other like-minded students as well as helped me visualize my learning more than a classroom setting could ever do.
Lindsay Stroz
Student, Footsteps to the Modern World, 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.






Paris
Days 2-11: Home to revolutions, invasions, monarchs, philosophers, and conquering emperors, there are few places where the roots of history run as deep. Students analyse the role of kings at Versailles, investigate the causes of revolution at the Bastille, and debate the nature of humanity beside the tombs of Voltaire and Rousseau in the Pantheon. Visits to the Musée d’Orsay, the Musée du Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower, are balanced with relaxing dinners in the Latin Quarter of Paris and evening walks along the Champs-Élysées.
Swiss Alps
Days 11-15: Leaving the city life of Paris behind, students make their way to the top of Europe for a stay in a quintessential Swiss village: Mürren. Residing in this quaint, peaceful town, our respite in the Alps allows students to focus on academic writing. As lessons consider the causes of the First World War, students are given one-on-one sessions with their teachers to develop their term thesis papers. Hikes through the mountains during the days, and roaring fireside fun at night refresh and invigorate the group.






Amsterdam
Days 15-21: Heading north, we pass through Germany and make our way into the Netherlands to explore how the Second World War impacted the world. Our study of international conflict and the deprivations of unbridled racism bring us face to face with Anne Frank and the sacrifices made by ordinary people. Readings from Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny and Yuval Noah Harari’s 21 Lessons for the 21st Century bring current political trends into sharp focus as students discuss the problems of ignoring our past.
Berlin
Days 21-25: An official world city of culture, politics, media, and science, Berlin is the perfect location to finish our travels as we trace the steps to the modern world. Though known most commonly for its wall and role in the Cold War, Berlin is also a city that can show the world the benefits of reconciliation and reconstruction. Our final stop provides an excellent location for students to prepare for final exams and reflect on how they fit into this complex world.
Departure from Berlin 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 they have learned 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.



Paris
Days 2-11: Home to revolutions, invasions, monarchs, philosophers, and conquering emperors, there are few places where the roots of history run as deep. Students analyse the role of kings at Versailles, investigate the causes of revolution at the Bastille, and debate the nature of humanity beside the tombs of Voltaire and Rousseau in the Pantheon. Visits to the Musée d’Orsay, the Musée du Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower, are balanced with relaxing dinners in the Latin Quarter of Paris and evening walks along the Champs-Élysées.



Swiss Alps
Days 11-15: Leaving the city life of Paris behind, students make their way to the top of Europe for a stay in a quintessential Swiss village: Mürren. Residing in this quaint, peaceful town, our respite in the Alps allows students to focus on academic writing. As lessons consider the causes of the First World War, students are given one-on-one sessions with their teachers to develop their term thesis papers. Hikes through the mountains during the days, and roaring fireside fun at night refresh and invigorate the group.



Amsterdam
Days 15-21: Heading north, we pass through Germany and make our way into the Netherlands to explore how the Second World War impacted the world. Our study of international conflict and the deprivations of unbridled racism bring us face to face with Anne Frank and the sacrifices made by ordinary people. Readings from Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny and Yuval Noah Harari’s 21 Lessons for the 21st Century bring current political trends into sharp focus as students discuss the problems of ignoring our past.



Berlin
Days 21-25: An official world city of culture, politics, media, and science, Berlin is the perfect location to finish our travels as we trace the steps to the modern world. Though known most commonly for its wall and role in the Cold War, Berlin is also a city that can show the world the benefits of reconciliation and reconstruction. Our final stop provides an excellent location for students to prepare for final exams and reflect on how they fit into this complex world.
Departure from Berlin 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.
Paris
Swiss Alps
Amsterdam
Edinburgh
Program Photos
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?