After a long flight, we land in Kilimanjaro to reside on the lower slopes of its famous mountain, diving headlong into our adventure as we explore the region. We are introduced to Tanzanian history and culture through the writings of its Nobel Prize winner Abdulrazek Gurnah as we navigate colonialism, the blending of cultures, and hope for a better future. Here, we investigate the connections between our readings and 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 we work with the village’s youth centre.

The heart of our African adventure is of course through our guided safari! We’ll explore an astonishing diversity of landscapes and wildlife while camping the open-air plains of the Serengeti. We 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.

We change our literary focus and look at how persuasive writing – and a mastery of language – can help create a better world, using  selections from Yuval Noah Harari’s wonderful texts Sapiens and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century. After exploring the natural beauty of rural Africa, we travel to the picturesque outskirts of Moshi in northeast Tanzania. We have a window into the life of the Maasai to expand our perspectives on story telling and collective stories.

The final leg of our journey takes us to the edge of the Indian Ocean and eastern Africa to the historic town of Panagani, an ideal location to complete photo essays, decompress, and prepare for our summative evaluations. Snorkelling and fishing expeditions intersect our final days as we reflect on our experiences. After a final banquet dinner that highlights local foods and dance, our crew prepares for the journey home with memories that will last a lifetime. Departure from Pangani Airport on Day 27

Online Post-trip Sessions
Upon your return, you will have time to complete additional research and your Final Culminating Assessment. This time allows you to reflect on and integrate your travel experiences into the course material. The MEI staff have found this evaluation style enjoyable and the most authentic way for students to demonstrate their knowledge and academic skills. After your assessment, you will complete your course exams online. Once your marks have been reviewed, MEI Academy will send your transcript to your home school to add to your academic records.