Program Reviews

This trip will always be known as the one that changed my life and shaped me into who I am. Words cannot begin to describe my MEI experience; the only way for someone to understand how beneficial and life changing this trip can be is for them to experience it for themselves. MEI International Academy is much more than just studying abroad; it is an experience that has the ability to completely transform a student. I am so thankful to have been taught by such passionate teachers, and to have been surrounded by such like-minded and positive students.

Choosing to go on my MEI trip was probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The locations themselves were absolutely amazing, but I think the best part of the trip was the people I met. Even a year after my trip, I’m still in contact with my whole class and all of my teachers. I feel like on this trip I got to push myself outside of my comfort zone like I never had before, and try so many new things. Honestly this trip was a once in a lifetime experience.

I knew I wanted to travel and I knew I wanted it to make an impact on my life. I just didn’t know how to make that happen. MEI made just that happen. I learnt more than just World Issues and English, I learnt how to be independent, punctual, and most importantly, to be present in every moment. The education and teachers were so pure and intrigued me during every lesson. I loved how everything we were learning had to do with the location we were at, like our unit on the Vietnam War which we visited the Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh. One of my favourite locations was Cambodia for the history and the resilience of the country. I loved seeing Angkor Wat, spending hours taking photos and wandering through the mysterious temples. I did not have a bad day on this trip, of course I had bad moments, but I cannot say I had a bad day. The teachers got us moving by playing sports in the mornings (which was amazing in all of our locations) and games in the evenings. There was the perfect academic to fun ratio, by managing my time well with the assignments I never felt overwhelmed. Each new day was an experience, I learnt and saw new things that will stick with me for the rest of my life. This program is unique for it’s real world learning, like when we were inside the Forbidden City while we were learning about it. It’s like being inside the textbook witnessing what it’s describing for yourself. Now that I’m home I see how lucky we are here in Canada and try not to take things for granted. I made some lifelong friends on this trip, who will always be there for me even if they are in the US or on the other side of Canada. If someone where to ask me if I’d do the Fall Semester again, I’d be back on a plane tomorrow doing it again in a heartbeat.

Let me tell you, MEI truly changed me.
The thought of a 35 day trek in the middle of Central America was both trilling and nerve-wracking to me before I left. Ive always had a passion for travelling, so I wasn't new to it, but had never travelled anywhere without my parents. When they dropped me off at the Sheraton Hotel to meet the group, I was so nervous, but as soon as I met my everyone on the trip, I was instantly relaxed and so excited! The fun started in the hotel and didn't stop until we got home. All the experiences we had, snorkelling, zip-lining, white water rafting, spelunking, climbing Myan Ruins and so so many more all were so cool. The school work was fine too! Doing work in the summer may not seem too exciting at first, but the way it was taught and delivered was so cool, and how our biology lessons related to everything around us was so cool. The friends I are now life-long friends, and we all talk everyday. We all have a group chat and lots of us have met up so many times too!! MEI was an amazing experience and has shaped me into a better person. It is truly life changing.

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.

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.

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!

This trip is one of the most meaningful things I've ever been apart of. It's everything life has to offer thrown at you each morning at 7 am.
Every day is another hike, another "best meal I've ever had!", another breath taking scene, another piece of human history being explained while you literally sit in the spot "it" happened. For me it has been the perspective of the world as a whole you take away that no doubt has improved my operating system. I could not recommend this highly enough!

I loved every second of my MEI Trip! The teaching style on the trip was hands-on and experiential, which really helped me grasp the concepts I was learning. Being on-site for every lesson helped me to understand the bigger picture, which in turn helped boost my grades as things finally started to click. Getting PE credit from going on hikes and working out across Western Europe was amazing; what's better, getting PE credit running laps or hiking the Swiss Alps? Since MEI I have been fully committed to learning more about the world than what I had been exposed to in my small town prior to the Spring Semester and have had my eyes opened to an entirely new way of learning. I thoroughly enjoyed my semester abroad with MEI and would recommend it to anyone inquiring.

This program changed the way I view going to school. It has introduced me to some amazing people that I will stay close with and has shown me how much the world has to teach us. The teachers on this program were incredible and I felt like I really connected with them. Totally recommend traveling with MEI and taking a semester to walk the streets of Paris, hike the Swiss Alps, and meander the coast of the Greek Islands over the same halls you've walked since grade 9!