If ever there was an opportunity to transform high school English into a grand adventure, this is it! The heart of great literature is that it transports you far away while helping you look within to see who we really are. Join our seasoned Lead Teachers, Steve and Meredith, to the continent of Africa as we immerse ourselves in the rich tapestry of culture, history, and wildlife that is Tanzania. Travel across its plains, visit Maasai villages, and go on safari in the Serengeti to sleep beneath a canopy of stars unlike any you’ve seen before. What could be a more adventurous, and meaningful, way to complete your senior English course?
Early July–Late July, 2024
Late June–Early August, 2024
*Program dates include online sessions to prepare students prior to travel and synchronous interviews to complete final assessments after travel. Dates are subject to change.
Contact us for course equivalencies in your school board.
All MEI programs depart from Toronto's Pearson Int'l Airport.
| Program Cost * |
|---|
| $5,037.00 |
| Travel Cost |
| $3,358.00 |
| Total |
| $8,395.00 USD |
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.
Parent, Expedition to Tanzania 2019
Explore this program's detailed itinerary for a sense of the journey ahead!
Upon your return, you have time to complete additional research and pull your work together before your final one-on-one online assessment. This week allows you to reflect on your travel experiences and integrate them into the course material. MEI staff have found this style of evaluation enjoyable and the most authentic way for students to demonstrate their knowledge and academic skills.
Day 2–8:
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.
Day 8–13:
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.
Day 13–20:
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.
Day 20–26:
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
| Program Cost * |
|---|
| $5,037.00 |
| Travel Cost |
| $3,358.00 |
| Total |
| $8,395.00 USD |
* Program cost does not include non-refundable $95 registration fee.
** Based on air fares, land tariffs and currency exchange rates as of July, 2023. Please note the possibility of increases in airfares and land costs prior to departure. Any increase must be borne by the individual participant.
† All students travelling with MEI Academy are required to purchase Medical and trip cancellation and interruption Insurance.
