- Paris
- Annecy
- Swiss Alps
- Nice
Why Take this Program?
If you are ready to immerse yourself in the richness of French culture, art, and cuisine, MEI offers you the perfect way to speak French in real-life scenarios. We will take you from the bustle of modern Paris to the markets of medieval Annecy, and from the mountains of the Swiss Alps to the sun-soaked beaches of Nice. In each location, we get out from behind our desks and leave the worksheets behind to surround ourselves with the beautiful language and culture of the French people.










What People Are Saying


I feel so lucky to have spent the most incredible summer of my life, surrounded by like-minded people who became a second family to me within a few short weeks. Aside from the academics, and a deep understanding of the French language and culture that no textbook ever could have given me, I made so many lasting friendships and memories. I returned home a more independent and overall changed individual.
Halle Pelletier
Student, France and Switzerland, 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 2–9: Our first stop in France is Paris, one of the most beautiful and storied cities in the world. While exploring the romantic cobblestoned streets of the Marais, or the manicured lawns of Versailles, we immerse ourselves in various forms of French media. Students gain an appreciation for art as they participate in lectures and debates at the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée du Louvre. In the evenings, students enjoy dinners in the open-air cafés and bistros of the Latin Quarter and St. Germain as they discuss French readings, practice their language skills, and reflect on topics of the day.
Annecy
Days 9–14: Snow-capped mountains, turquoise waters, and even a medieval turreted castle form the backdrop for classes in the picturesque south of France. Here, students put their language skills to the test as they converse with locals and participate in presentations and book chats to further build their skills and confidence in French.






Swiss Alps
Days 14–18: As we continue our journey, discovering the beautiful nuances of the French language and culture, we enjoy an unforgettable stay high up in the Swiss Alps. Morning coffee with cool mountain air, rich blue skies, and stunning white-capped mountains make this a sublime stop on our journey through Europe. The peacefulness of Swiss village-life allows for tailored, one-on-one sessions with teachers to further help students refine their language proficiency—all while hiking along mountain trails and Alpine peaks.
Nice
Days 18–25: The final location of our journey through France and Switzerland is in the dynamic city of Nice. With its buzzing cafés, grand esplanades, and famous stone beaches, this seaside town serves as our hub to explore the south of France. Students have time to take in the chic modern art museums and visit the nearby city of Monte Carlo, while completing their final academic assignments and preparing for their final exam. As the sun sets on the last evening, students celebrate the end of their journey along the pebbled shore of the French Riviera.
Departure from Nice 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 2–9: Our first stop in France is Paris, one of the most beautiful and storied cities in the world. While exploring the romantic cobblestoned streets of the Marais, or the manicured lawns of Versailles, we immerse ourselves in various forms of French media. Students gain an appreciation for art as they participate in lectures and debates at the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée du Louvre. In the evenings, students enjoy dinners in the open-air cafés and bistros of the Latin Quarter and St. Germain as they discuss French readings, practice their language skills, and reflect on topics of the day.



Annecy
Days 9–14: Snow-capped mountains, turquoise waters, and even a medieval turreted castle form the backdrop for classes in the picturesque south of France. Here, students put their language skills to the test as they converse with locals and participate in presentations and book chats to further build their skills and confidence in French.



Swiss Alps
Days 14–18: As we continue our journey, discovering the beautiful nuances of the French language and culture, we enjoy an unforgettable stay high up in the Swiss Alps. Morning coffee with cool mountain air, rich blue skies, and stunning white-capped mountains make this a sublime stop on our journey through Europe. The peacefulness of Swiss village-life allows for tailored, one-on-one sessions with teachers to further help students refine their language proficiency—all while hiking along mountain trails and Alpine peaks.



Nice
Days 18–25: The final location of our journey through France and Switzerland is in the dynamic city of Nice. With its buzzing cafés, grand esplanades, and famous stone beaches, this seaside town serves as our hub to explore the south of France. Students have time to take in the chic modern art museums and visit the nearby city of Monte Carlo, while completing their final academic assignments and preparing for their final exam. As the sun sets on the last evening, students celebrate the end of their journey along the pebbled shore of the French Riviera.
Departure from Nice 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
Annecy
Swiss Alps
Nice
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?