MEI Academy, World High School

The MEI Academy Fall Semester in Europe was, without a doubt, the most impactful decision of my life.

Learning on location makes education come alive in a way a traditional classroom never could. But beyond academics, MEI gave me an absolute travel bug that completely rewired me, I can't sit still in one place anymore, I always have to keep travelling and moving. MEI taught me how to navigate the world with confidence, and gave me the passion to see the whole world.

That one semester planted a seed that completely altered the trajectory of my life. Because of the independence, global mindset, and passion for adventure I gained with MEI, I eventually took the leap, packed my bags, and moved abroad to Italy for university, so full circle. My entire life today -- my career, my home, and my worldview -- exists because of the doors MEI opened for me.

If you are on the fence about doing this program, take this as a sign and do it. Just be prepared because it will most definitely change your entire life!

My experience with MEI Academy on the Australia and Fiji trip in 2017 is something that has stayed with me long after the trip ended. It taught me so much more than what I could have learned inside a traditional classroom. I learned how to be an independent student, how to adapt to new environments, and how to learn while constantly on the go. Every city, activity, and experience became part of my education.

One of the most meaningful parts of the trip was the people I met. I made friendships that have lasted far beyond the trip itself, and some of the people I met in 2017 are still friends I have in my life today. There is something special about experiencing the world together that creates connections you don't easily forget.

The trip also helped me grow as a writer, traveller, and explorer. I learned how to observe the places I was visiting, ask better questions, understand different perspectives, and tell stories about the experiences I was having. It gave me the confidence to travel, explore unfamiliar cities, and approach new experiences with curiosity rather than hesitation.

But more than anything, that trip changed what I wanted to do with my life. My MEI teachers became mentors to me, and watching the way they taught, travelled, supported students, and created meaningful experiences made me realize that I wanted to become an educator myself. I came home from that trip knowing that I wanted to pursue teaching, and I eventually followed that dream by studying Education at McGill University. Becoming an educator is one of the best decisions I have ever made, and I genuinely believe that MEI played a huge role in helping me discover that path.

My teachers were not simply people who taught me during a five week trip. They became mentors who continued to support me throughout different stages of my life. They were there to encourage me, challenge me, and remind me of what I was capable of, even after the trip was over.

Looking back, I don't think I fully understood how much that experience would shape the person I would become. What started as a school trip became a defining experience in my life. It taught me how to travel, how to learn, how to build meaningful relationships, and ultimately, how I wanted to teach others.

MEI gave me the opportunity to see the world as a student, but more importantly, it showed me the kind of educator I wanted to become. Years later, I am incredibly grateful that I said yes to that experience in 2017.

I originally made the decision to study abroad because I felt like I was living the same day on repeat. I anticipated this trip would make me more adaptable and I would get to experience different cultures. But it beyond exceeded my expectations; it forced me to grow as a person on so many different levels. We were immersed into so many different ways of living and outlooks on life. I have never been one to get “excited” or really invested into learning, but this trip completely shifted that for me. We learned about events, people, places, etc. and became experts on those topics. It’s one thing to hear about an event and its impact as a statistic, but being there, seeing how people live, and talking to those behind the numbers makes it feel real. Beyond the cultures we got to experience, the people I met along the way is what truly made this trip even more amazing. Almost of us knew each other before the trip, and we all clicked immediately. Everyone became like family after the first 24 hours. I have been home now for about a month and I have thought about the trip every day since. From this experience I’ve gained new perspectives on the world, but also lifelong friendships.

My 45 days with MEI have honestly been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I went into it exited to see new places, try new foods and meet new people which I did all of but most of all i've truly fallen in love with learning. I would recommend this course to anyone wanting to get a taste of travel but especially to those who have struggled with feeling passionate about school. This program has taught me so much about how capable I am of not only being able to keep up but also succeed when i'm outside of my comfort zone. Joe, Rita, and Zoe are also some of the loveliest and smartest people i've ever met and it has been such a pleasure to learn and get to know them. I have learned so much about myself, how I interact with others and how I do and want to interact with the world in my future. If your a teenager wanting to get out into the world and are ready for a challenge I 100% recommend looking into MEI !

This is my second semester with MEI as I’m doing the big year program and I would recommend this program to anyone who is looking to get out of their comfort zone with a love of traveling. The growth that I have experienced on this journey of a lifetime, nothing from a classroom back home would ever come close to matching. You will be pushed out of your comfort zone and it will be hard, it isn’t a vacation it’s high school but the lessons you learned will help you for the rest of your life even if it’s just that independence being away from home for months. I think that these programs are perfect for anyone who is looking to learn about the world whilst being immersed in it from Hiroshima to Angkor Wat I think that this program will not only be a experience that I won’t forget but is a jumping off point for any traveling that I want to do in the future.