High School Study Abroad
Semester in Europe & Egypt

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 2-7: We arrive in Portugal in its illustrious capital—Lisbon. Whether climbing one of Lisbon’s seven hills or listening to a performance of Portugal’s famed Fado music, students naturally connect and are inspired by this ancient port city. Our classes vary between exploring hidden gems and nurturing creative pieces to be performed in small cafés of the Alfama.

Days 7-11: Our first stop in Spain is Madrid, where lovers of food and art alike instantly fall in love with this enchanting city. Whether wandering its elegant boulevards, exploring its world-famous museums filled with priceless European art, or admiring the orange glow of the city as the sun sets, this Spanish metropolis captures the imagination. An afternoon at the Prado allows the class to examine works by Picasso and Velazquez, as they collaborate in small groups to present their learnings followed by class discussions. In the evenings, students analyze literature over tapas dinners and take part in the relaxed, social atmosphere of Spanish culture.

Days 11-16: Barcelona has been an inspiration for writers and artists for over two thousand years with its vibrant colours, unmatched architecture, and Catalan cuisine. Students practice their hand at character development along Las Ramblas, poetry in Gaudi’s Park Güell, and travel writing in La Sagrada Familia, all between lunches along the Mediterranean and dinners in the Gothic quarter. If we’re lucky, we may even catch a glimpse of the world’s most famous soccer team.

Days 16-22: After crossing the Pyrenees, we arrive in France. This is the ideal time to delve into literature from the Great Wars, as students contemplate the sacrifices made by soldiers during WWI. In Paris, lessons focus on the Age of Enlightenment and the Age of Revolution as we debate the nature of humanity and the structure of civilization. In the crypt of the Pantheon, we revisit the arguments put forth by Rousseau and Voltaire that laid the foundation for the French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon. From bike rides in the gardens of Versailles to visits to the Musée du Louvre, Paris is a once-in-a-lifetime immersion into French history and culture.

Days 22-25: Our first respite from the energy and intensity of three of Europe’s most famous cities comes in Strasbourg—a UNESCO World Heritage city on the border of France and Germany. A climb up the Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, which has survived plagues, revolutions, and two world wars, highlights this Alsatian stop on our program. Here, we take a deep dive into history and English, focusing on the use of critical lenses in literary analysis and the conditions that allowed for the outbreak of the First World War.

Days 25-30: Making our way to the top of Europe, students emerge from the Stechelberg gondola to find their new home in the picture-postcard Swiss village of Gimmelwald. Here, we hike mountains and roast marshmallows by the fireside—with the clamour of giant cowbells, bleating mountain goats, and the sound of rushing waterfalls all around. Academically, students work on essay writing for English and receive one-on-one mentorship while enjoying morning coffee overlooking the Alps.

Days 30-35: In Munich, students examine the details of the rise of Nazi Germany and trace the impact of the National Socialist movement on both the European continent and the rest of the world. From Hitler’s speeches at Odeonsplatz to the horrific legacy of the Dachau Concentration Camp, lectures and master classes place us directly where history happened—making for an educational experience that leaves a profound impact upon us all.

Days 35-40: While shedding the remains of its communist past as it attempts to embrace its capitalist future, the bold and emerging city of Prague serves as a truly unique setting for students to examine the Cold War and the results of the development of the European Union. Dotted with spectacular architecture, the largest ancient castle in the world, and emerging café culture, Prague is the ideal city for students to complete their assignments and prepare for final exams. One last dinner, together overlooking the famous Charles Bridge, gives us the chance to share a fond farewell with new friends and reflect on all we have experienced on this adventurous and ambitious trek through Europe.

Days 40-47: 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.

Days 47-52: 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.

Days 52-59: 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.

Days 59-67: 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.

Days 67-72: 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.

Days 72-80: There is no greater finale to this journey through the ancient world than taking in the awe-inspiring Pyramids and the Sphinx. This is the perfect setting for lectures on the Egyptian new kingdom that saw the greatest period of expansion. We will discover how, during the Golden Age of Egypt, the people provided for themselves, defended their territory against invasion, and organized their religion. To bid farewell, we finish with an exotic cruise down the Nile, taking in the lush scenery. The first stop along the river includes a tour of the Valley of the Kings, where students will tunnel down into the burial chambers and attempt to decipher the hieroglyphics that tell of the Pharaoh's journey to the underworld. Our final night is spent enjoying each others company and taking in the sunset one last time together.

Departure from Egypt 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 program. Refer to the overview program calendar for more information.