- Foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro
- Safari
- Moshi
- Pangani
Why Take this Program?
If ever there was an opportunity to transform a high school course into something genuinely unique, this is it. Become a global citizen and broaden your worldview as we immerse ourselves in the rich tapestry of Tanzania. Travel across its plains, visit Maasai villages, volunteer in a service project, and go on Safari in the Serengeti. What could be a more adventurous, and meaningful, way to earn two high school courses and connect to a beautiful culture?










What People Are Saying


The teachers continually went above and beyond. They were not only exceptional teachers, but they were outstanding mentors, advocates, role models and friends. They have made such a positive impact on my daughter’s life.
Melanie Jaeger
Parent of Andie Siemens (pictured on the left)
Expedition to Tanzania, 2018
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.






Foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro
Days 2-15: After a long flight, we land in Kilimanjaro and reside on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, where students explore the region’s range of landscapes. Students quickly learn that this is an ideal location to examine the UN’s Millennium Development Goals and issues of sustainability and foreign aid. Here, students explore village life and set to work on individual service projects with an emphasis on meaningful engagement. Our ongoing group service project takes teachers and students camping in Kirua, where they work with the village’s youth centre.
Safari
Days 15-18: On Safari, students explore an astonishing diversity of landscapes and wildlife while camping in the open-air plains of the Serengeti. Students work with the BIG LIFE Foundation to gain a firsthand view of the issues of big game poaching and tribal land disputes. Here, we delve into the readings of Ernest Hemingway’s, The Green Hills of Africa, and Chinua Ache’s, Things Fall Apart to provide literary context as we explore the culture of this dynamic region.






Moshi
Days 18-24: After exploring the natural beauty of rural Africa, students travel to the picturesque outskirts of Moshi in northeast Tanzania. There, students study the economic, social and political issues that challenge Tanzanians, and the massive continent of Africa. Students have a window into the life of the Maasai, to expand their perspectives on community building and leadership. Yuval Noah Harari’s 21 Lesson for the 21st Century acts as a guide as we explore key issues of the World Issues course.
Pangani
Days 24-30: The final leg of our journey sees students travelling east to the banks of the Pangani river, an ideal location to decompress and prepare for summative evaluations. Students also have the opportunity to go on snorkelling and fishing expeditions, as they reflect on their experiences. After a final banquet dinner that highlights native foods and dance, our crew prepares for the journey home with memories that will last a lifetime.
Departure from Kilimanjaro Airport (Day 30)






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. In Toronto, students and teachers gather and get to know one another while they settle into the rhythm of the program. Students listen to guest speakers, work in groups on their first project, and prepare for the adventure that awaits them.



Foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro
Days 2-15: After a long flight, we land in Kilimanjaro and reside on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, where students explore the region’s range of landscapes. Students quickly learn that this is an ideal location to examine the UN’s Millennium Development Goals and issues of sustainability and foreign aid. Here, students explore village life and set to work on individual service projects with an emphasis on meaningful engagement. Our ongoing group service project takes teachers and students camping in Kirua, where they work with the village’s youth centre.



Safari
Days 15-18: On Safari, students explore an astonishing diversity of landscapes and wildlife while camping in the open-air plains of the Serengeti. Students work with the BIG LIFE Foundation to gain a firsthand view of the issues of big game poaching and tribal land disputes. Here, we delve into the readings of Ernest Hemingway’s, The Green Hills of Africa, and Chinua Ache’s, Things Fall Apart to provide literary context as we explore the culture of this dynamic region.



Moshi
Days 18-24: After exploring the natural beauty of rural Africa, students travel to the picturesque outskirts of Moshi in northeast Tanzania. There, students study the economic, social and political issues that challenge Tanzanians, and the massive continent of Africa. Students have a window into the life of the Maasai, to expand their perspectives on community building and leadership. Yuval Noah Harari’s 21 Lesson for the 21st Century acts as a guide as we explore key issues of the World Issues course.



Pangani
Days 24-30: The final leg of our journey sees students travelling east to the banks of the Pangani river, an ideal location to decompress and prepare for summative evaluations. Students also have the opportunity to go on snorkelling and fishing expeditions, as they reflect on their experiences. After a final banquet dinner that highlights native foods and dance, our crew prepares for the journey home with memories that will last a lifetime.
Departure from Kilimanjaro Airport (Day 30)



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.
Foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro
Safari
Moshi
Pangani
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?