MEI Academy
 | |
| High School | |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Ontario, Canada |
| Slogan | The World is Our Classroom |
| Website | www.meiacademy.com |
MEI International Academy is a Canadian school that runs accredited summer and full-semester high school programs in several parts of the world. The academy was founded by history teachers Joe Mei and Bernie Burns in 1997 and continues to be run by a staff of teachers. Classes are conducted in locations relevant to the course of study in keeping with the program's objective that education should be an interactive experience. Lectures are typically conducted at historical sites, cultural landmarks, museums and galleries.
Spring Semester Program
The spring semester odyssey is MEI’s flagship program. Students spend 80 days traveling through France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Greece, and earn four senior level high school credits. Courses of study include World History, Classical Civilization, English and an Interdisciplinary Studies course called Human Dimensions. The World History course is taught during the first half of the spring semester, and focuses on the history of Europe from the Middle Ages to present. Students travel to Paris, Strasbourg, the Swiss Alps, Heidelberg, Munich, Venice, Florence and Siena during this time. The second half of the semester, which begins in Rome and continues through Pompeii, the Peloponnese, Athens and the Greek Islands, focuses on ancient civilizations. The English and Human Dimensions courses run throughout the entire semester, which allows for the integration of the two history courses with literature, writing assignments, philosophy and physical activities.
Summer Programs
MEI Academy offers both one- and two-course programs in the summer. Trips are 28–40 days in length. All nine summer programs commence in early July.
| Program | Courses Offered |
|---|---|
| Backpackers
(San Jose, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Montezuma, Manuel Antonio) |
Biology, Grade 12
English, Grade 12 |
| English Through The Ages | English, Grade 11 & 12
Studies in Literature, Grade 12, Writer’s Craft, Grade 12 |
| France & Switzerland
(Paris, Strasbourg, Swiss Alps, Nice) |
French: Core, Extended & Immersion, Grade 11 & 12 |
| Media & the Mediterranean | IDC Media Production & English, Grade 12 (2 credits) |
| Greece & Italy
(Athens, Peloponnese, Pompeii & Amalfi Coast, Rome) |
Classical Civilization, Grade 12 |
| Ancient World Odyssey
(Istanbul, Rome, Pompeii, Olympia, Peloponnese, Athens, Istanbul) |
Classical Civilization & English, Grade 12 (2 credits) |
| Trek Through Europe
(London, Paris, Strasbourg, Swiss Alps, Munich, Prague) |
World History: The West and the World & English, Grade 12 (2 credits)
Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology and Sociology, & English, Grade 11 (2 Credits) |
| Journey to Africa | World Issues, Grade 12 (2 credits)
English, Grade 12(2 Credits) |
| International Business-"East meets West" | International Business, Grade 12
English, Grade 12 (2 credits) |
| Adventure Down Under | Physical Education, Grade 12
English, Grade 12 (2 credits) |
Reunions
The academy encourages alumni to keep in touch after a program has concluded. To that end, MEI hosts post-trip reunions. In 2006, the MEI Games were introduced at the annual fall reunion; programs faced off in a variety of contests, and in the spirit of friendly competition, for a trophy.