- Florence
- Siena
- Rome
- Pompeii, Tolo and Langadia
- Athens
- Mykonos
Why Take this Program?
If you are interested in delving into the tombs of the lost Etruscan civilization and then unearthing your way back through the ruins of Rome, Sparta, and Athens, then this program is for you. As you walk in the footsteps of the great military leaders like Julius Caesar, Pompeii and Augustus you discover how their ruthless tactics of power politics are both revered and reviled to this day. Connections between the blood sports of the Colosseum to modern MMA fighting lead to a comparison of the athletic competitions of Ancient Olympia to the modern-day Olympics. Each day we map human connections to our past as we discover how the ideas of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle laid the foundation to our modern thought, and explore how the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides established the storyboards to today’s box office hits.










What People Are Saying


The teachers brought life into every lecture and crafted brilliant connections with each student. My teachers weren’t just instructors — they were my mentors, friends, and family. The students I shared my journey with were the most unique, spontaneous, and beautiful people.
There’s something to be said about being where you learn — it was unfathomable. Just imagine running the same track as the Ancient Olympians. I never knew decadent gelato in Italy, or the breathtaking beaches of Greece would ever teach me some of life’s greatest lessons.
MEI isn’t just about academics, it’s about absorbing new cultures, discovering who you are, building powerful friendships, getting out of your comfort zone, indulging, reflecting, challenging yourself, and embracing freedom. My MEI adventure has left me with many unforgettable moments, lessons and friendships!
Angelika Promny-Tavares
Student, Term 4 Greece and Rome: Empires, 2018
Term 3 Europe: Kingdoms, 2018
Backpackers: Central America, 2017
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 Online Live sessions where you meet virtually with your teachers and classmates 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. 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.






Florence
Days 2-7: Home of the Renaissance, the Medici, banking, and some of the world’s most beautiful architecture, Florence is the perfect place to see what an explosion of thought, art, and culture can bring to a city, and indeed, the West. While interspersing our days with visits to the Uffizi, Il Duomo, and the Accademia—home to Michelangelo’s David—students are captivated by some of the most vibrant markets, and some of the most beautiful architecture, in Europe. It is no wonder this city has been the favourite of artists, writers, and popes for centuries — it is the perfect place to begin our investigations into the people of our past.
Siena
Days 7-12: Siena, a city in central Italy’s Tuscany region, is a truly unique gothic town. The Campo Square, home to the Palio, a world-famous horse race, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s no surprise why! From this gorgeous centre square, the city branches off into 17 historic contrades (districts), each one with their favoured horse during the Palio festivities. It is here that we take in the history of the region, explore the narrow and winding streets, and eat some of the best food in the area. Activity filled days are accompanied by leisurely evenings walking from the Siena Cathedral to The Palazzo Salimbeni.






Rome
Days 12-19: Continuing south, we trace the footsteps of the ancients as we follow the journey of Aeneas, one of the few survivors of the tragic sack of Troy, to the glorious city of Rome. Students now find themselves in the 'Eternal City' where they witness the physical and literal layers of Rome's history—intermixed with high fashion, luxury cars, and an unparalleled passion for soccer! Studying the art and architecture of the Roman Empire, students consider the complexity and interconnectedness of history, culture, philosophical thought, and literature. Whether writing morning notes on the steps of St. Peter's Basilica, performing Shakespeare's Julius Caesar in the Forum, or sampling the world's best gelato at the Trevi Fountain, in Rome, students witness the ghosts of history come alive at every turn.
Olympia, Tolo & Langadia
Days 19-27: Following Rome, students sail the Adriatic Sea aboard an overnight ferry to Greece. Upon our arrival in the Peloponnese, students explore the archaeological ruins of Olympia, home to the first Olympic games, the great temple of Zeus, and the training grounds of what were once the world’s greatest athletes. Here, students have the unique opportunity to lace up and run the original Olympic stadium’s track and visit one of the world’s most important archaeological museums — a hidden gem so packed with the wondrous artistic achievements of the ancient Greeks, it puts the Louvre and the Met to shame! Continuing further east students visit ancient Mycenae, where Agamemnon began his fateful ten year war with Troy, before arriving in the picturesque beach town of Tolo. This relaxed setting offers students a chance to focus their energy on presentations, group activities, and creative writing. Students perform workout routines on the beach and test their limits in a swim to the nearby island of Romvi — the island of Aphrodite that still has the ruins of a medieval castle and remnants of a Venetian naval base. As we leave for the capital of Greece, we stop at Epidaurus, the most important healing centre in ancient Greece and home still to one of the most incredible acoustic theatres in the world.






Athens
Days 27-32: Our journey through the Greek mainland ends with a visit to Athena’s favourite city—Athens. As the birthplace of Western democracy, philosophy, art, architecture, literature, and history, Athens genuinely does have it all. Our classrooms during our stay are in the Theater of Dionysus, among the ruins of the Temple of Zeus, within the Agora, and high atop the Acropolis, while our evenings are spent exploring the Plaka and enjoying rooftop dinners in this ancient city.
Mykonos
Days 32-38: Our final stop truly is a pearl in the Aegean Sea: Mykonos. Along the picturesque Platis Gialos beach, students focus on academic writing and delve into the analysis of core texts for English. Students have fun finding their way back to their favourite gyros stop, as their senses are confused by the maze of narrow streets walled with whitewashed shops and blue coloured doors and balconies with vibrant pink bougainvilleas draped above their heads. Here, students write their final ISUs and exams in the calm of Mykonos’ hidden gem, Mantos: an open-air cafe and movie theatre! Our final evening on this magical island is spent celebrating the end of a term abroad, grabbing gyros and gelato, and reflecting on all we have seen and done together.






Athens
Days 38-40: After our return to the timeless Athens, students spend their last full day shopping in the Plaka and enjoying one last sunset atop the acropolis beneath the columns of the Parthenon, before we share our final dinner together and return to our hotel to pack for the flight home.
Departure from Athens Airport (Day 40)
Online Final Evaluation Week
After returning home, you will have 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 program. Refer to the overview program calendar for more information.



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 Online Live sessions where you meet virtually with your teachers and classmates 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. 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.



Florence
Days 2-7: Home of the Renaissance, the Medici, banking, and some of the world’s most beautiful architecture, Florence is the perfect place to see what an explosion of thought, art, and culture can bring to a city, and indeed, the West. While interspersing our days with visits to the Uffizi, Il Duomo, and the Accademia—home to Michelangelo’s David—students are captivated by some of the most vibrant markets, and some of the most beautiful architecture, in Europe. It is no wonder this city has been the favourite of artists, writers, and popes for centuries — it is the perfect place to begin our investigations into the people of our past.



Siena
Days 7-12: Siena, a city in central Italy’s Tuscany region, is a truly unique gothic town. The Campo Square, home to the Palio, a world-famous horse race, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s no surprise why! From this gorgeous centre square, the city branches off into 17 historic contrades (districts), each one with their favoured horse during the Palio festivities. It is here that we take in the history of the region, explore the narrow and winding streets, and eat some of the best food in the area. Activity filled days are accompanied by leisurely evenings walking from the Siena Cathedral to The Palazzo Salimbeni.



Rome
Days 12-19: Continuing south, we trace the footsteps of the ancients as we follow the journey of Aeneas, one of the few survivors of the tragic sack of Troy, to the glorious city of Rome. Students now find themselves in the 'Eternal City' where they witness the physical and literal layers of Rome's history—intermixed with high fashion, luxury cars, and an unparalleled passion for soccer! Studying the art and architecture of the Roman Empire, students consider the complexity and interconnectedness of history, culture, philosophical thought, and literature. Whether writing morning notes on the steps of St. Peter's Basilica, performing Shakespeare's Julius Caesar in the Forum, or sampling the world's best gelato at the Trevi Fountain, in Rome, students witness the ghosts of history come alive at every turn.



Olympia, Tolo & Langadia
Days 19-27: Following Rome, students sail the Adriatic Sea aboard an overnight ferry to Greece. Upon our arrival in the Peloponnese, students explore the archaeological ruins of Olympia, home to the first Olympic games, the great temple of Zeus, and the training grounds of what were once the world’s greatest athletes. Here, students have the unique opportunity to lace up and run the original Olympic stadium’s track and visit one of the world’s most important archaeological museums — a hidden gem so packed with the wondrous artistic achievements of the ancient Greeks, it puts the Louvre and the Met to shame! Continuing further east, students visit ancient Mycenae, where Agamemnon began his fateful ten-year war with Troy, before arriving in the picturesque beach town of Tolo. This relaxed setting offers students a chance to focus their energy on presentations, group activities, and creative writing. Students perform workout routines on the beach and test their limits in a swim to the nearby island of Romvi — the island of Aphrodite that still has the ruins of a medieval castle and remnants of a Venetian naval base. As we leave for the capital of Greece, we stop at Epidaurus, the most important healing centre in ancient Greece and home still to one of the most incredible acoustic theatres in the world.



Athens
Days 27-32: Our journey through the Greek mainland ends with a visit to Athena’s favourite city—Athens. As the birthplace of Western democracy, philosophy, art, architecture, literature, and history, Athens genuinely does have it all. Our classrooms during our stay are in the Theater of Dionysus, among the ruins of the Temple of Zeus, within the Agora, and high atop the Acropolis, while our evenings are spent exploring the Plaka and enjoying rooftop dinners in this ancient city.



Mykonos
Days 32-38: Our final stop truly is a pearl in the Aegean Sea: Mykonos. Along the picturesque Platis Gialos beach, students focus on academic writing and delve into the analysis of core texts for English. Students have fun finding their way back to their favourite gyros stop, as their senses are confused by the maze of narrow streets walled with whitewashed shops and blue coloured doors and balconies with vibrant pink bougainvilleas draped above their heads. Here, students write their final ISUs and exams in the calm of Mykonos’ hidden gem, Mantos: an open-air cafe and movie theatre! Our final evening on this magical island is spent celebrating the end of a term abroad, grabbing gyros and gelato, and reflecting on all we have seen and done together.



Athens
Days 38-40: After our return to the timeless Athens, students spend their last full day shopping in the Plaka and enjoying one last sunset atop the acropolis beneath the columns of the Parthenon, before we share our final dinner together and return to our hotel to pack for the flight home.
Departure from Athens Airport (Day 40)



Online Final Evaluation Week
After returning home, you will have 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 program. Refer to the overview program calendar for more information.
Florence
Rome
Pompeii
Olympia
Athens
Mykonos
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.
**Program cost does not include non-refundable $95 registration fee or any airline taxes or fees.
Please note the possibility of increases in airfares and land costs prior to departure. Any increase must be borne by the individual participant.
Ready to take the next step?