It was an amazing trip. I really enjoyed the locations, education, and the teachers on the trip. What is really important to me on a trip is that everyone feels at home and safe. Our teachers made us feel safe and gave us a lot of freedom that we cherished. If we broke that trust, however, the privilege would be revoked. They were fair judges and really connected with the students. The meals provided were quality and gave us enough energy for the day. That is very important as some of our excursion days require a lot of energy. Overall, the experience I had on the trip was fantastic and I would recommend.

Through this program I have been able to meet so many new people and make so many friendships. I have also been able to make my grade 12 school year much less stressful but completing 2 courses over the summer! There are so many great memories I have from this trip ranging from exploring caves to zip lining to relaxing by the pool and beach, however, white water rafting was something that I did not expect to enjoy so much! I will never forget it!

After being apart of MEI Backpackers 2018, I feel that I must recommend it to everyone I meet! It was the most incredible adventure I have ever experienced. I met some fascinating people on this trip that I now consider lifelong friends. The teachers are some of the best I have ever had, truly caring about what they were teaching and doing their best to help each and every student succeed. Approximately three weeks later and I am still in shock that I was fortunate enough to experience this. I look at pictures of the different adventures that we did as a group and it fills me with so much emotion. I can remember every sense from each of the locations we stayed at and the amazing feeling of looking up from your studying to see the vast ocean in front of you. The rainforest’s mists soaking you just enough to cool you off. Dancing to music under the stars after a delicious meal. Work never seemed to get in the way of a good time. The first class I had on this trip was Biology. It was held on a covered dock with ocean surrounding us. Breeze spilled in through empty spaces and cooled us off in very high Belize temperatures. This class was the first moment I was truly in, “awe.” I just couldn’t believe that this is where my life had taken me, studying population dynamics, sitting on a dock, on an island in Belize. There would be times when we were stressed out, however those feelings would be evened out by a jaw dropping excursion the next day. The friends I made on this trip also prevented me from becoming stressed because their presence would always lighten the mood and our belief in one another drove us to succeed. Words cannot describe how much meeting these people meant to me and how much they mean to me today. At the beginning, the teachers informed us that this group would soon become family. At the time, we were to anxious and therefore, awkward to believe it. They surly did not lie, as all of us became the closest of friends. This trip has been more rewarding than I could have ever have imagined. I learned so many new things not only about Biology and English, but about myself and this amazing, gigantic world that we live in.

This experience was truly amazing. Although it did get very stressful at times, that all would just go away when going to the beach. This really helped me narrow down things for university and really showed me a new way of learning. It was amazing to be able to have this experience and learn all the things i did. Being able to study on the beach was probably one of the nicest feelings there was. All those late night crams were always forgotten about the next day when we would go hike to swim in waterfalls or go swim with sharks. I truly do not take away one negative thing from this trip

Restlessly wrestling my parents to let me go on MEI has been one of the greatest decisions I’ve ever made, because this program as been one of most incredible experiences I’ve ever had. I was mostly drawn in by the unique study experience in the wilds of Central America. My dream for this program was to study biology in lush, tropical jungles, immersed and connected with the wilderness, in contrast to the harrowing classroom setting. This, and many other hopes for this program came true as time went on. This program is very expensive, I know. But this truth forced me to push myself academically, and socially, to make every single moment count. There is no better feeling than working hard, and getting the results you want. This program has a very demanding course load, so using your time efficiently is vital to getting the most of your experience. My 35 days felt like a dream, and for that I give thanks to the amazing people I met, being a student or a teacher. Not everyone’s experience will be the same on this trip, but everyone’s experience will be absolutely phenominal. Visiting different countries and exploring their culture while interacting with locals on a daily basis is something very rare in a school setting. I loved this program, and I love all of those I did it with. Jump right in, step out of your comfort zone, and get ready to have your mind blown.

I originally looked into MEI as a more exciting way of completing summer school however from this trip I gained so much more than an education. Not only are you surrounded by supportive teachers, you also meet incredible people in incredible places. Originally I was scared to go on this trip alone but the atmosphere makes it easy for you to bond quickly with the people around you and turns the class into a family. The ability to travel the world with such an amazing group of people has helped me to grow as a person in ways i could have never imagined. I am so thankful I chose the backpackers program it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!!

I went on the Central America Backpackers trip this summer and can honestly say it was one of the most inspiring and life-changing experiences I have ever had. From the amazing teachers and students I met from across Canada, to studying english and biology on the beach, I could not think of a better way to have spent my summer. I loved how close and comfortable everyone was around each other, especially having not known anyone going into the trip. I would highly recommend studying abroad with MEI Academy!

Was an amazing experience with great people. The teachers are amazing and everything about it was great. They go out of their way to help you and support you. I wish I could go back it was a great experience. It was great as I had my own independence and felt myself develop as person into who I will be as an adult. The locations were beautiful and excursionss were some of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had. We went zip lining in Costa Rica which is something I’ve been dying to do for as long as I could remember. We went snorkeling in the second biggest barrier reef which such exotic creatures. It was something you’ve never seen before.

The MEI trip I did this summer was the most incredible experience I have ever been through. Learning in exotic locations with incredible and dedicated teachers made learning fun and intruiging. I made friends I know I will have in my life forever, and share incredible memories with them. It is an adventure I wish every student could experience and prepared me for grade 12! I would highly reccomend doing this trip if you have the opportunity to do so.

As expected this trip was amazing. The different places and experiences involved were truly incredible and could not be compared to anything else. Not only did this trip give me these experiences but it gave me growth, as a student and as a person. I developed time management skills, it showed me the usefulness of peer editing and I became more confident with making friends, and taking care of myself, which will all be helpful for when I go to university. When I came back everyone asked me how my trip was and I could only say spectacular. There are so many different experiences from sitting on a dock learning about dna and exploring the town to people watch to develop characters for our short stories to snorkelling with sharks and white water rafting. The relationships with the teachers are so different, you feel comfortable telling them anything and it is easy to go and ask them questions about the classes, which is distintive from school, you could also tell that the teachers knew what they were doing and were eager to help in any way needed which was advantageous for the high paced classes. Coming home was difficult, I miss the places, the activities and most importantly being surrounded by my 2nd family all the time. I am coming back with so many new friends and experiences and I will never forget anyone or anything from this. This trip is the experience of a lifetime and I loved every minute of it.

My MEI trip was hands down one of, if not, the best experience of my life. I was hesitant at first to go, having fears about meeting new people and about the schoolwork, but I’m so happy I went! I met some incredible people who are now some of my best friends, explored new places, tasted exotic foods, and learned a ton. School abroad is much different than regular high school, and although it is quite the adjustment at first, it has truly been beneficial to my life as a student. Plus, the beautiful sights seen along the way allow for a level or personal reflection I’ve never had before. I was also surprised with how strong my connections were with people after only knowing them for a few days. The bonds I made are life-long. All in all, I would recommend this trip to anyone who loves the outdoors, and who’s looking for a life-changing experience unlike any other!

The Backpackers trip to Central America was the best experience of my life! Studying biology in such a biologically diverse setting made learning so much more interesting. Swimming with sharks and stingrays and seeing unique animals like sloths, was not only beneficial to biology studies, but also gave inspiration for English creative writing. Despite the stressful and heavy work load, there were many amazing excursions and opportunities to de-stress. All teachers were very helpful and supportive in times of need. They were approachable and encouraged every one of us to get outside our comfort zones. By switching room mates each location, everyone got the chance to get closer to someone new. By the end of the trip, we all felt like a family and goodbyes have never been so hard. It was the trip of a lifetime that I would highly recommend to everyone.

My MEI experience through the Backpackers Central America program was one worth sharing. So many items checked off on my bucket list, while simultaneously learning and excelling in two complex subjects, made effortlessly enjoyable throughout this trip. Going into the adventure, not knowing a single person, and coming home after a month or so having made 30+ new best friends was gratifying beyond comparison. It was important for me to see the person in myself that was able to make friends easily, and have fun while doing it. This will impact my life in new ways to come as I will be willingly open to new experiences and meeting new people. If you decide to go on this amazing adventure, take time for your work, your success, and yourself!!

This trip is perfectly paced between academic learning and having fun where you are. The teachers used new and exciting locations to enhance the schooling experience. That, mixed with tons of time for fun, either organized by the teachers or with your friends, assures that this trip is one of a lifetime! The trip is action packed with activities everywhere you go. Being able to get two high school courses done like this is the best way to do it!

This MEI Trip to Belize and Costa Rica was the best experience of my life. I have been to many countries around the world on many different trips but this was by far the best. Not only being gone for a whole month but being able to do English and Biology over the summer was awesome! But it’s not just the traveling and the courses that make it awesome, it’s the community that’s built on the trip and how you really develop a family with not only the other kids doing the program but teachers as well. This experience was truly life changing and if I could do it again I would.