Summer High School Language Immersion Programs in France & Switzerland

Name: Summer High School Language Immersion Programs in France & Switzerland
Brand: MEI International Academy
SKU: 66539
Rating: 9.63 (8 reviews)

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9.63 Rating

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Location

Multiple Locations +2

France
- Paris
- Nice
- Nice
Switzerland

Length

4 - 12 weeks

Program Categories

Adventure Travel Cultural Immersion Language Immersion Study Abroad

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Program Details

Program Type

Direct Enrollment

Timeframe

Summer

Housing

Apartment Hotel

Language

French

Age Min.

Age Max

Pricing

Starting Price

6995

Price Details

Includes:

Return airfare from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport
Approximate airline departure taxes, surcharges and fees
Hotels and accommodations
Daily breakfast and dinner
Entrance fees to all course-specific sites
Airfare between countries
Transportation between hotel locations via private coach
Transportation for all listed program excursions

What's Included

Accommodation Activities Airfare Domestic Airfare Airport Transfers Meals Transportation

What's Not Included

Some Meals SIM cards Travel Insurance Visa

Last Updated: Dec 13, 2021

Last Reviewed: Aug 23, 2018

Wish List

17 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Imagine enjoying a lunch at a bistro on the Champs-Élysées, taking French works of art in at the Louvre, or walking the cobblestone markets of the Latin Quarter. There is no place to better improve on French language skills than Paris, in the heart of France. French studies are brought to life as students explore local shops and markets, from the beautiful esplanades and relaxing beaches of Nice, to the picturesque mountains and waterfalls of the Alps. Students will come away with vastly improved vocabulary and confidence in the French language.

France & Switzerland | Paris, Annecy, Swiss Alps, Nice
Courses Offered: Grade 11 & 12 Core French, Grade 11 & 12 Extended French, Grade 11 & 12 French Immersion

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Video and Photos

girl laughing with red bandana on green hill

girl writing on paper sitting next to river

large group under canopy sitting on swing

group jumping in front of the Eiffel Tower

line of people sitting at edge of ledge looking out over blue ocean

girl walking across high bridge with mountains in the background

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Program Highlights

10:1 Student to staff ratio (maximum)
Earn Ministry-approved credits
Hiking in the Swiss Alps and Visit Paris' most famous Museums
Full immersive French Experience
Live lectures, discussions and activities

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Program Reviews

9.63 Rating

based on 8 reviews

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Rating Spread High School

9-10 rating 100%
7-8 rating 0%
5-6 rating 0%
3-4 rating 0%
1-2 rating 0%

Growth 9.8
Support 9.4
Fun 9.5
Housing 8.6
Safety 9.8

Showing 1 - 8 of 8 reviews

Hey future participants. My name is Noah, I’m 16 and I’m going to tell you about the awesome MEI trip. I thought my experience on the France & Switzerland trip was absolutely incredible! Each place we visited I swear I couldn’t stop smiling. Everything was beautiful and every place had its own special feature to make it awesome.

My experience was unique because we had the opportunity to be in Paris during the semi final AND final of the World Cup. France was in these two matches and the energy in the city was something I’ll never forget. Whenever they scored the city would explode! And when France won, colour powder everywhere, flags everywhere, people cheering. I will never forget that.

To all future participants, I would highly recommend this program. First off, the teachers are awesome. Their not your average high school teacher because they like to have fun when they learn and they do everything they can to make sure you have the best experience ever. My teachers were Ayanna, David and Alexis. They were all incredible and if you get them on your trip, they would make it 10x better. Also before on the trip I was quite worried for the safety and visiting a big populated city like Paris. Just a heads up that you’ll be way more safer then you thought. Everyone is in a group of 4 minimum at all time and we had no problems with anything getting stolen on the whole trip. Also, at the start of the trip, you’ll immediately realize that mini groups start to form between people that already know each other, but that shouldn’t bother you, going up to people in your class and talking to them will instantly make you closer to them. I met so many awesome and super nice people on this trip.

In conclusion... just do it, it was honestly so fun. If you want to know more about my awesome experience, go on YouTube and search: Noah Van Dam. I made a video of everyplace we visited (sadly Annecy got taken down for copyright purposes) Paris 2018, Switzerland 2018 and Nice 2018. Thanks !

What would you improve about this program?

This program could be improved if students received a mark for the amount of French that they spoke. I feel like this way the students are encourage to speak more French on the trip.

Read my full story

I came into the MEI France and Switzerland Program feeling scared and expecting it to be like regular school, but it turns out my fears were for nothing and it was very different from regular school. Where in regular school you learn about things more in theory, during this trip there were a lot of opportunities to practice your french skills with first hand experiences such as talking to merchants at the market in Annecy or ordering your meals everyday. Because of this practice talking to francophones in real life, I found myself becoming more confident in my french speaking skills and in actually speaking french to others, something I was previously embarrassed to do. Speaking to francophones also helps to improve how well you understand people when they speak french. The teachers also help with this because they always speak to you in french. As for the actual lessons, I found I learned a lot despite the short period of time. There were two lessons a day and each one was taught on site. For example, we learned about gothic architecture and the Notre Dame right in front of the Notre Dame, after having walked around inside and climbed to the top. This kind of learning really helped me internalize the information because I could make connections with what I was seeing, and it made it fun. Aside from the actual school learning, this trip teaches you a lot about yourself as well because you learn to be independent and responsible so that you can hand in assignments on time, or so that you don't get lost during free time. Finally, everyone on the trip, the students and the teachers, are very nice and extremely supportive of one another. When you spend so much time together you are bound to make close friendships and that's exactly what happens. There are so many opportunities to try new things and get out your comfort zone and the biggest suggestion I can give to anyone going on this trip is to get out of your comfort zone and try something you wouldn't normal do. It's opportunities like these where you can learn the most about yourself and about life.

What would you improve about this program?

My only suggestion for how this program could be improved is possibly giving students a little bit more time to sleep. I found that most nights, especially in Paris, we came back very late, around midnight, and were expected to finish our homework and still wake up fairly early. I understand that this was the only way we were able to see so many tourist attractions, but it was still hard to be going off of little sleep.

I have grown so much in the past month since when I first found out about this program. I was nervous and had no clue that this voyage would be the beginning of something new for me. I climbed the Eiffel Tower, had a lesson on Lac D'Annecy, and got to swim in the Mediterranean in Nice! I will never forget this experience and I hope to one day take a program similar to this again. Had I not taken this program for he summer, I would not have grown my independence, my confidence, my sense of adventure, and my sense of daring to try new things and take new experiences in stride.

What would you improve about this program?

Better hotel choices would be great, as the Sportchalet hotel in Murren had awkward access plugs. Also, the communal showers were clean and sanitary, but the amenities were slightly lacking.

My experience on MEI France and Switzerland was one that I will never forget. Being immersed in the French language allowed me to improve on my skills as well as my confidence with the language. Learning on site was very engaging and allowed for many unique opportunities that you would not receive in a normal school. On top of this I met so many great people that made my trip even more enjoyable. From eating escargot in Paris to climbing Almendhuble in Mürren, I was forced to step out of my comfort zone and do things that I had never done before.

What would you improve about this program?

This program could be improved if there was more time allotted for completing assignment and studying tests. The lack of time for work resulted in late nights leaving many tired for the next day of activities. Finally there could have been more options for meals especially for those with dietary restrictions.

This program is really awesome and it was the experience of a lifetime! I went on the 2018 France and Switzerland trip and I would 100% recommend it to anyone considering doing an exchange program. I made incredible new friends and the teachers were amazing. By doing this program, I think that my spoken French has greatly improved and I hope that I’ll will feel more confident doing other exchange trips or even travelling on my own. All in all one of the best experiences of my life and I hope to be able to someday do something like this again!

What would you improve about this program?

More environementally friendly because in France they don’t recycle so if there’s anything that can be done to minimize the amount of plastic used!

I just finished the France and Switzerland trip 2018 and I loved the trip so much! All the teachers were very positive and helpful, they truly wanted to see you succeed. Our group got the chance to do so many amazing things like climbing mountains in the Swiss Alps and watching the world cup final game on the big screens. Being in a french speaking country allowed me to fully immerse myself in french culture and grow as a person. I would highly recommend this trip to anybody interested in travelling and improving their french skills!

What would you improve about this program?

I would suggest that more time to work is given to the students.

Given it was my first time in Europe, I’d say it was a pretty great experience. We went to some great places and saw a ton of cool stuff. Not only were the things we did fun and interesting, but I feel like I’ve also taken away a greater appreciation for french culture and french language itself. The group we traveled with and the people I met is what made this trip even better. Overall am excellent trip and one that I would highly recommend.

What would you improve about this program?

Better time management, for both students and teachers

I went on the France and Switzerland trip in 2012 before going in to my grade 12 year. It was truly a phenomenal experience. From having the opportunity to be fully immersed in the French culture and to practice the language in a total French environment, to amazing and supportive teachers that motivated us to succeed, not only academically but beyond the classroom towards our future careers. This program truly made me excel in the language and have great respect for the French culture. In addition I made amazing friends with whom I still keep in touch today! This trip blew me away with how much fun you can have while still maintaining a valuable learning experience completing tasks and assignments and by the lessons given. After this trip I actually decided to pursue a career in teaching and will soon be a French teacher! Thanks MEI!

Questions & Answers

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I heard about this program through a friend. She gave me a book of all the different programs MEI had to offer. My mom and I started going through them together, imagining how much fun you could have on each of these different programs.

I’m in French Immersion, and we noticed the France and Switzerland program that is available for all students interested in French. I chose this program because I felt like I wanted to improve on some of my French skills, and what’s a better way to improve than doing so in France and Switzerland?!

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Once you decided to sign up for the trip, you have to fill out a bunch of information. MEI Academy first sends you and your parents a username and password so you can access the official website of your specific program (mine was France and Switzerland). Once you get that information, you fill out a bunch of questions that vary between health history, academic history, and sign a bunch of waivers.

On your own, you have to give your passport information and also pay some early deposits. One thing that I thought was really cool is that we had to make our own Facebook page and join a class with everyone who’s going on the program. This way, we could share to our fellow classmates about who we are and also learn early about who you’re going to be spending your trip with.

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

You might be a little nervous or scared of going to a new continent or a new country on your own, but you absolutely have nothing to worry about. On our trip, we had no problems with items being stolen or anyone being approached. MEI Academy has been staying at the hotels that accommodated us so they trust the people working there.

Also, don’t worry about being alone because MEI makes sure you switch roommates every time you switch locations. I thought that was a great idea because you get to meet so many new people and make lots of friends. Just be nice to everyone, and people will be nice to you in return. You’ll have the time of your life with the most amazing people who will make you feel safe and make the trip a lot more fun!

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

An average day for an MEI student goes like this. You wake up at around 6:30 AM and go for a morning workout. I personally loved having these because it got the blood pumping, and I felt more energetic. After our workout, we would go back to the hotel where half of the students go eat breakfast and the other half go take showers and change. It’s usually half of your roommates doing one while the other half does the other so it’s more efficient.

At around 8:30 - 9 AM, we start our day. We usually have our first lesson in the morning and we have them in local parks or famous landmarks. It’s a different location each day, which is awesome. At around 11 AM, the teachers usually give us free time to explore and buy ourselves some lunch. I like this because this way, you’re not all together (but always in a group of four) and you can do absolutely whatever you want – shop, eat, explore, take pictures, chill in a park, go swimming.

At around 1 PM, we would meet in our designated meeting spot and we would walk a bit as a group, and the teachers would show us some cool areas or famous landmarks. From 2 to 4 PM, we would have our afternoon lesson. These lessons would also be held in a unique classroom area. We would eat dinner from 6 to 8 PM, and the food was really good. These restaurants were planned specifically to have great service and excellent food. The teachers pick everything based on previous experiences.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

Personally, my biggest fear was getting stuff stolen on this trip. I like to make videos of my trips so I had a bunch of valuable items that I brought to help make my videos awesome. I brought my computer, GoPro, and hard drive. My biggest fear was that I would end up getting my items stolen in a hotel or by someone on the street.

Thankfully, the teachers explained that they choose hotels that have excellent security and where MEI had stayed at in the past. They’ve had pretty much no items stolen from the hotels in the past few years, and the teachers are welcomed by the same hotel staff each year.

Second, you shouldn’t be worried that every second someone might attack you on the street and try to mug you or something. Don’t spend your whole trip with that mindset, or it’s not going to be very fun. You’re always in a group of four to make sure you’re never alone. When you’re in a group, you feel a lot safer and less of a target. If you don’t want to be a target on the street, don’t look like a tourist! People only try and steal from you when you look vulnerable and don’t know what you’re doing.

In France, speak as much French as you can and don’t talk to the people trying to sell you items from the black market. Act like you live in that city, and no one will bother you. Also, the teachers will make sure nothing will happen to you, and they will protect you and make your safety their number one concern.

What were the teachers like?

The teachers made this trip so much fun, and they will make sure you have an awesome time! Basically, in the France and Switzerland trip, you will be put in a class depending on your level of French. We had three classes – French Immersion (Grade 11 and 12), Core French for Grade 11, and Core French for Grade 12. In my experience, the immersion kids always did their lessons together and all the core kids (Grades 11 and 12) did their lessons together too.

Now let me start telling you about these teachers. If you get one of them on your program, they will make your trip a lot better.

First up, we have Ayanna. Ayanna was the only girl teacher on the trip, and I thought of her more as the “boss”. She was the teacher of the Grade 12 Core Class. She’s had the most experience of teaching on the France and Switzerland trip and she even went on this program when she was a student! She definitely knows everything you need to know and what to do. Ayanna loved to socialize with the kids and was a really nice and sweet person to approach. The one thing that really amazed me about Ayanna is that she was always so calm and chill no matter the situation. I never saw her get stressed if we didn’t get somewhere on time or anything; she always thought of the positives in everything.

Next, we have David. David was one of the male teachers on trip and he taught French Immersion. He was my teacher. It was David’s first time on the MEI France and Switzerland trip but he already was a natural. Throughout the trip, he thought about how he can make learning more fun. We would have interactive quizzes where we would have to do a challenge before answering the question. He also always loved to play sports with us.

The thing I liked about David is that whenever you needed help on anything, no matter where you are or what time, he will try his best to help you out. I remember it was 11:30 PM and everyone was tired from walking back from the Bastille Day fireworks, and I asked if he could help me with my subjonctif, and he did! The whole walk back. He really cared for everyone’s safety and did his best to make sure everyone succeeded.

Finally, we have Alexis. Alexis was the other male teacher who mainly taught the Grade 11 Core Class. My first impression of Alexis was that he is this super friendly guy that you just want to talk to. It was his second time on the France and Switzerland trip, but he’s also a French citizen! Alexis is a great guy who loves to make sure that all kids had the best time. He had all of these stories to tell and life lessons to keep.

One of his passions was for sports, and he loved playing sports with us. The one thing I really liked about Alexis is that he could talk his way into anything. He could convince people to get us access to go to the top of Notre Dame or bargain for a sale on t-shirts. He taught me a really good life lesson, “you never know until you ask.”

If you get any of these teachers on your program, you should look forward to an awesome trip!

About MEI International Academy

Our guiding principle has always been to encourage students to learn about the world and how to live in it. It isn’t enough to travel abroad, visit historical sites and museums, and expect meaningful connections to happen automatically. Our mission is to offer a global high school experience with each lesson designed to inspire REAL education in...

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