High School Study Abroad
Semester in Asia

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.

Days 2-9: The journey begins surrounded by the modern elements of Japanese culture: neon-lit streets, towering skyscrapers, and anime. Sitting down to meals of Japanese BBQ and bowls of shabu shabu, you learn the importance of manners and protocol and discover the basic etiquette required for business engagements. From meditations surrounded by 1000 Buddhist statues to finding the ethos of the Japanese warrior in the Samurai Museum, you get your first taste of a unique culture. Academically, you complete a financial analysis of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as we debate the merits of this type of event over a meal of traditional Japanese sushi.

Days 9-14: From beneath the peak of Mount Fuji, you divide your time between outdoor activities and small group masterclasses. Our focus is on developing international business ideas and analyzing the financial strategies used by Prime Minister Shinzō Abe. Each night we take a deep breath and savour the beauty of the countryside while capturing spectacular photos and reflecting on classic Japanese poetry. NOTE: Karaoke opportunities may be in session, so be prepared to belt out a tune.

Days 14-18: Known for one of the world’s first climate change treaties, this former capital of Japan can now lay claim to being its cultural heart. We hold our classes in breathtaking areas, such as the Shugakuin Imperial Palace and Maruyama Park. Dotted with Shinto shrines, Zen gardens and Buddhist temples, Kyoto allows us to dive into a deeper understanding of the traditional elements of Japanese culture while affording you time to research the economic complexities of climate change.

Days 18-23: From Kyoto, we ride the Japanese high speed ‘bullet train’ to Hiroshima and experience this convenient and civilized way of travel. Here, we trace how Japan rose from the devastating aftermath of World War II to become the world’s second-largest economy in under 50 years. At the beautiful Hiroshima Peace Memorial, we reflect on the resilience of the Japanese people and engage in conversations about war and the ever-evolving process of international relations. An hour train ride from Hiroshima, you learn about the unique heritage of the Japanese in Miyajima at the Itsukushima Shrine, which transports us back in time to the famous Torii Gates.

Days 23-29: Next, we visit the coast to appreciate life on the peninsula. Busan is the metropolis of the south, known for its beaches, booming economy, and universities. Here you can experience how a long coastline shapes a nation’s heart and soul from international relations to significant ports to seafood cuisine. It is also the home of Shinsegae, the world’s largest department store, where we can shop ’til we drop. Academically, we balance our time between making waves at the beach and working on final projects. A healthy mix of work and play helps us prepare for the last location of the term.

Days 29-35: Locals say that Daegu is where you experience the real South Korea. It is a city renowned for its Buddhist temples and mountains that stand side-by-side the major textiles and electronics industries that rocketed the nation’s economy. This city provides us with an opportunity to focus on our academic work before we escape from urban life. In the search for tranquillity, we hike through the forest and reside at a Buddhist temple. There, monks will teach us about meditation, chanting, and the rhythm of spiritual life.

Days 35-40: Our journey concludes as we take the fast train to the capital city of South Korea–Seoul. Here, you learn how this country grew from an agrarian economy to a cutting-edge tech hub. Riding on the world-class metro across the headquarters of legendary Samsung, Hyundai, and LG, you feel the inescapable energy that is pushing the Korean wave of pop culture. Boy bands such as BTS and Bong Joon-ho’s Palme d’Or are rising stars on the world stage, and provide us with insight into the growing Asian entertainment market. Exploring the shopping megamalls of Lotte World Tower to the small Hongdae Art Market fill our afternoons. If you have never explored the tastes of kimchi or bibimbap, prepare yourself to become a culinary adventurer. For a different perspective, we climb Bukhan Mountain and look down at the Han River to contemplate how Korea rapidly developed from a devastated colony to a consumer paradise.

Days 40-47: Upon arrival in Vietnam, we settle into our home away from home in central Hanoi. Teeming with street vendors and small temples, you immerse yourself in a culture driven by bartering and spiritual meditation. Hanoi is the perfect location to begin our World Issues course that focuses on equity, colonialism, pollution, and war. This city brings each lesson to life as we come face-to-face with the physical evidence of each of these issues. In your free time, you can navigate the Old Quarter of the city to find the best noodle soup, dumplings, and stir-fried pho. For a change of pace, we take a day trip to Ha Long Bay to enjoy the spectacular limestone-carved mountains as we sail around the collection of 3000 islands rising from the emerald waters.

Days 47-53: From the city, we travel to Mui Ne for a welcome respite and a chance to focus on academic writing. The warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand allow us to re-energize as we continue our examination of war and its aftermath. The relaxed pace also will enable us to research and develop major assignments while taking time to hike the spectacular sand dunes and surf just off the coast.

Days 53-57: Next, we travel to the bustling Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, where we investigate Vietnam’s modern history. Our lessons take place at the War Remnants Museum and the Cu Chi tunnels as we explore the background behind the Viet Cong guerrillas. Here, we consider the effects of war on a generation, the clash of ideologies, and the politics of war. Connecting foundational readings from Yuval Noah Harari, Noam Chomsky, and other contemporary writers provide mental nourishment for your ideas to grow. The large population of young adults flocking to the major universities allows for interview opportunities where we gain first-hand knowledge of the peoples’ push for urbanization.

Days 57-63: We start our adventure in Cambodia in the lively city of Siem Reap. There, we spend time exploring Angkor Wat, a magnificent temple complex featuring stone carvings that depict scenes from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. For an afternoon break, you can expect to enjoy a short tuk-tuk ride to the many coffee shops on the always popular Pub Street. Evenings are spent in markets and restaurants along the neon-lit backpackers’ alley filled with travellers and locals alike.

Days 63-67: From Siem Reap, we travel south to Phnom Penh, where we witness the contrast between the beauty and tranquillity of the region with the Khmer Rouge’s tragic legacy. There, you focus on visual storytelling through photography and work together on group activities and presentations. The French influence is evident in Phnom Penh, with some fabulous bakeries within a five-minute walk from the hotel, ready to house a lively book chat discussion.

Days 67-71: We depart from Cambodia to travel north to Vientiane, the capital and largest city of Laos. As we explore the Buddhist temples and reflect on our journey from high atop Pha That Luang, we also contemplate the concepts of cultural conservation and sustainable tourism. Vientiane is the perfect location to discuss how Buddhist traditions are integrating with the values of capitalism. Moreover, discussions focus on gender issues and the role of women in the new economy.

Days 71-78: Our penultimate stop takes us to Thailand and its vibrant coastal town of Phuket, where we enjoy the famous beaches like Patong and Karon and relax under the occasional waterfall. More importantly, you will cultivate the art of allocating time between soaking up the sun and concentrated academic study. Here, we complete final Independent Study Unit interviews and exams.

Days 78-80: We conclude our term in Bangkok, Thailand’s bustling capital. From food carts, neon-lit streets, and fast-moving tuk-tuks, to Buddhist monks, jasmine sellers, and slow-moving river traffic, we reflect on our fall experience while we enjoy a feast of Thia cuisine. As you jostle through the crowds of Khaosan Road to find the perfect going-home gifts, we savour our final farewells to Asia and our travelling family.

Departure from Bangkok Airport (Day 80)

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 summer. Refer to the overview program calendar for more information.