Dates
Program Dates*
Early September, 2021 - Mid November, 2021
Travel Dates
Early September, 2021 - Early November, 2021
*Program dates include online sessions to prepare students prior to travel and synchronous interviews to complete final assessments after travel.
Locations
- Athens
- Crete
- Naxos
- Santorini
- Olympia, Tolo & the Peloponnese
- Pompeii & Rome
- Florence
Courses Offered
Social Sciences
Mandatory
- World History: Ancient | LVV4U
Elective Subject
Choose One
- English | ENG3U | English 20-1
- English | ENG4U | English 30-1
- Studies in Literature | ETS4U
- Writer's Craft | EWC4U
- Modern Media and Photography | IDC4U
*Contact us for course equivilencies in your school board.
Staffing
6:1 Student to Staff Ratio
Refunds and Cancellation
We've made it easier to plan your education while minimizing your financial risks.
Scholarships
Up to $5,000 in Scholarships Available
Availability
Open
Why Take this Program?
If you are interested in delving into the tombs of the lost Etruscan civilization and then unearthing your way back through the ruins of Rome, Sparta, and Athens, then this program is for you. As you walk in the footsteps of the great military leaders like Julius Caesar, Pompeii and Augustus you discover how their ruthless tactics of power politics are both revered and reviled to this day. Connections between the blood sports of the Colosseum to modern MMA fighting lead to a comparison of the athletic competitions of Ancient Olympia to the modern-day Olympics. Each day we map human connections to our past as we discover how the ideas of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle laid the foundation to our modern thought, and explore how the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides established the storyboards to today’s box office hits.




Program Photos




What People Are Saying


The teachers brought life into every lecture and crafted brilliant connections with each student. My teachers weren’t just instructors — they were my mentors, friends, and family. The students I shared my journey with were the most unique, spontaneous, and beautiful people.
MEI isn’t just about academics, it's about absorbing new cultures, discovering who you are, building powerful friendships, getting out of your comfort zone, indulging, reflecting, challenging yourself, and embracing freedom. My MEI adventure has left me with many unforgettable moments, lessons and friendships!
Angelika Promny-Tavares
Student, Term 4 Greece and Rome: Empires, 2018; Term 3 Europe: Kingdoms, 2018; Backpackers: Central America, 2017
Program Itinerary
Explore this program's detailed itinerary for a sense of the journey ahead!


Program Preparation
Online Foundation Work
We start this program with two weeks of Online Live sessions. You will meet virtually with your teachers and classmates daily to read and discuss assigned readings and begin research projects. The Foundation Work period gives you a chance to review major assignments and get to know your crew so that you can hit the ground running when you land in your first location.
Departure
Day 1: Readings and major assignments will be posted on your course site in early June. We officially start the program with one week of pre-departure readings and online communication with your teachers. These virtual tutorial sessions are designed to introduce you to your classmates, teachers, and coursework. The foundation work period allows students the opportunity to review major assignments and get to know their crew.




Athens
Days 2-7: We begin our odyssey 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 streets and enjoying rooftop dinners in this ancient city.
Crete
Days 7-15: Our journey continues as we depart for the island of Crete. The most populated Greek island, Crete seamlessly blends ancient sites, bustling streets, and some of the world's most beautiful sandy beaches. A visit to Crete wouldn’t be complete without a hike into the Samaria Gorge and a chance to write a creative piece based on our excursion. A step back to the Bronze Age is then taken as we explore the ruins at The Palace of Knossos and take a breather along the breathtaking white sands of Elafonisi.




Santorini
Days 15-18: After enjoying our time in Crete, to the volcanic island of Santorini, once believed to be legendary Atlantis. Here, you begin investigating Greek mythology and examine Homer’s epic tales of the Iliad and Odyssey. As we wander the black stone beaches of this fabled island, the classic tale of Odysseus’ return home from Troy will be analyzed through the feminist lens of Margaret Atwood’s Penelopiad. Here, the two academic courses align with discussions of history, myth, and philosophy coalescing to provide magic chemistry for interesting discussions. We finish our stay with an epic hike along the caldera from Oia, ending with a sunset dinner along the cliff-side of Fira.
Naxos
Days 18-22: From one ancient wonder to another as we continue our trek to the mountainous island of Naxos. As we arrive by ferry, the Temple of Apollo welcomes us and sets the stage for our stay on this majestic island. Naxos is known for its island hikes and classic Greek architecture that has inspired writers and artists for centuries. Here you will perform some of your creative writing pieces and have a hand at recreating a Greek play by Aristophanes. Nights are spent roaming the narrow streets or the main city in search of the best gelato and perfect gyro.




Olympia, Tolo & the Peloponnese
Days 22-30: With a ferry back to the Greek mainland, we continue our classical studies exploring the Peloponnese. Our first stop will be Epidaurus, once the most important centre for healing in the ancient world. Today it is still home to the acoustically perfect theatre that hosts Greek plays during the summer and fall months––if we’re lucky we’ll catch a Greek play performance. Our new home for the week on the beachside resort town of Tolo, where Greek hospitality makes this a favourite stop on our journey across the Mediterranean world. The crystal-clear waters, the freshest calamari, and genuine small-town feel will invigorate your mind and body. A day’s adventure takes us to the ancient city of Mycenae, uncovered by the archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann in the late 19th century. The epic site is the perfect backdrop to discuss the role of King Agemmon in the war against Troy.
Next, we spend a night in Ancient Olympia, home to the monumental temple of mighty Zeus and the birthplace of the original Olympic games. Here you’ll have the unique opportunity to lace up and run the original Olympic stadium’s track before heading to Italy on an overnight ferry to ITALY!
Pompeii & Rome
Days 30-40: From Greece, we sail across the Ionian Sea to one of Italy’s best destinations--the Almalfi Coast. Here, we begin our investigation into the Roman world by looking at one of its darkest, and most romanticized disasters: the explosion of Mount Vesuvius in 79 that buried the town, and the people, of Pompeii in volcanic ash.
As we arrive in Rome, we tread in the footsteps of the ancients as we follow the journey of Aeneas, one of the few survivors of the tragic sack of Troy. After our restful night’s sleep, you’ll find yourself in the 'Eternal City' where you witness the physical and literal layers of Rome's history. This town is intermixed with high fashion, luxury cars, an unparalleled passion for soccer––if you’re lucky, you can get a selfie with Pope Francis! Studying the art and architecture of the Roman Empire, we consider the complexity and interconnectedness of history, culture, and philosophical thought. Whether writing morning notes on the steps of St. Peter's Basilica, performing Shakespeare's Julius Caesar in the Roman Forum or sampling homemade gelato at the Trevi Fountain, you can’t help but feel the Italian passion for life. La dolce vita!




Florence
Days 40-45: Birthplace of the Renaissance, the Medici, Pinocchio, banking, and some of the world’s most beautiful architecture, Florence is the perfect city for you to conclude your studies of classical civilizations. While interspersing our days with visits to the Uffizi, il Duomo, and the Accademia—you’ll have a chance to see how the classical world shaped the renaissance and the birth of the modern western world. Your last days are filled with time to enjoy exploring local markets, leather shops, and quiet villas on the outskirts of town. After a final dinner together in this enchanting walled city, we board our return flight home as renewed, confident, and empowered citizens of the world.
Departure from Florence Airport (Day 45)
Online Final Evaluation Week
During this week you have time to complete additional research and pull together the work and insights you gained from your travel experiences. You complete culminating assignments and an online, interactive examination with your teacher. MEI students and teachers have found this evaluation style enjoyable and the most authentic and thorough method to demonstrate what you have learned during the summer.


Florence
Rome
Pompeii
Olympia
Athens
Santorini
Naxos
Sorrento
What's Included
Fee Breakdown
Program Costs
- Ministry-approved credit(s) upon successful completion of the course(s)
- Custom course pack
- Student Login
- MEI journal
- MEI T-Shirt
- Digital yearbook
Travel Costs
- Hotels and accommodations
- Breakfast and dinner daily
- Entrance fees to all course-specific sites
- Return airfare from Toronto's Pearson International Airport
- Approximate airline departure taxes, surcharges and fees
- Airfare between countries
- Transportation between hotel locations via private coach
- Transportation for all listed program excursions
Program Fee Does Not Included
- Lunches
- Insurances
- Gratuities
- Local Transportation
- Course texts
- Medical Insurance and Cancellation Protection†
- Non-refundable $95 Registration Fee
† All students travelling with MEI Academy are required to purchase Medical Insurance.
**Program cost does not include non-refundable $95 registration fee or any airline taxes or fees. Please note the possibility of increases in airfares and land costs prior to departure. Any increase must be borne by the individual participant.