- Tokyo
- Mt. Fuji Region
- Kyoto
- Hiroshima
- Seoul
- Daegu
- Busan
- Beijing
9:1 Student to Staff Ratio
Up to $2,500 in Scholarships Available
Open
Why Take this Program?
What People Are Saying
I experienced so much. I travelled, met new people and learned about the world. It was absolutely surreal to have a lesson at the Forbidden City in Beijing and to ride in a Tuk Tuk to get to class. School is so much more than the four walls of a classroom; you have to go beyond, see the world and experience your learning firsthand. That is what education is. I am so grateful for these moments. I know I have grown so much from this experience and I will carry this knowledge of the world with me for the rest of my life.
Sasha Hasick
Student, Term 1, 2018
Program Itinerary
Click the arrows to explore this program’s detailed itinerary for a sense of the journey ahead!
Program Preparation
Foundation Work
Days 1–10: Our online session is designed to connect students with their teachers and classmates, and to help prepare students for their term abroad. Students have access to the course website, where reading lists will be posted and are required to complete all prep work prior to departure to ensure they are ready to hit the ground running overseas.
Departure
Day 11: All of our programs begin at our study-abroad departure hub, Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. A short meeting is held at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Terminal 3, to distribute course packs, T-shirts and MEI Journals, and to clarify travel procedures. All students are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to the Sheraton Gateway Hotel.
Tokyo
Days 12–18: The journey begins surrounded by the modern elements of Japanese culture: neon-lit streets, towering skyscrapers, and anime. Sitting down to meals of Japanese BBQ and bowls of shabu shabu, you learn the importance of manners and protocol and discover the basic etiquette required for business engagements. From meditations surrounded by 1000 Buddhist statues to finding the ethos of the Japanese warrior in the Samurai Museum, you get your first taste of a unique culture. Academically, you complete a financial analysis of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as we debate the merits of this type of event over a meal of traditional Japanese sushi.
Mt. Fuji Region
Days 18–22: From beneath the peak of Mount Fuji, you divide your time between outdoor activities and small group masterclasses. Our focus is on developing international business ideas and analyzing the financial strategies used by Prime Minister Shinzō Abe. Each night we take a deep breath and savour the beauty of the countryside while capturing spectacular photos and reflecting on classic Japanese poetry. NOTE: Karaoke opportunities may be in session, so be prepared to belt out a tune.
Kyoto
Days 22–26: Known for one of the world’s first climate change treaties, this former capital of Japan can now lay claim to being its cultural heart. We hold our classes in breathtaking areas, such as the Shugakuin Imperial Palace and Maruyama Park. Dotted with Shinto shrines, Zen gardens and Buddhist temples, Kyoto allows us to dive into a deeper understanding of the traditional elements of Japanese culture while affording you time to research the economic complexities of climate change.
Hiroshima
Days 26–31: From Kyoto, we ride the Japanese high speed ‘bullet train’ to Hiroshima and experience this convenient and civilized way of travel. Here, we trace how Japan rose from the devastating aftermath of World War II to become the world’s second-largest economy in under 50 years. At the beautiful Hiroshima Peace Memorial, we reflect on the resilience of the Japanese people and engage in conversations about war and the ever-evolving process of international relations. An hour train ride from Hiroshima, you learn about the unique heritage of the Japanese in Miyajima at the Itsukushima Shrine, which transports us back in time to the famous Torii Gates.
Seoul
Days 31–37: Our journey continues as we fly over the Sea of Japan to the capital city of South Korea–Seoul. Here, you learn how this country grew from an agrarian economy to a cutting-edge tech hub. Riding on the world-class metro across the headquarters of legendary Samsung, Hyundai, and LG, you feel the inescapable energy that is pushing the Korean wave of pop culture. Boy bands such as BTS and Bong Joon-ho’s Palme d’Or are rising stars on the world stage, and provide us with insight into the growing Asian entertainment market. Exploring the shopping megamalls of Lotte World Tower to the small Hongdae Art Market fill our afternoons. If you have never explored the tastes of kimchi or bibimbap, prepare yourself to become a culinary adventurer. For a different perspective, we climb Bukhan Mountain and look down at the Han River to contemplate how Korea rapidly developed from a devastated colony to a consumer paradise.
Daegu
Days 37–42: Locals say that Daegu is where you experience the real South Korea. It is a city renowned for its Buddhist temples and mountains that stand side-by-side the major textiles and electronics industries that rocketed the nation’s economy. This city provides us with an opportunity to focus on our academic work before we escape from urban life. In the search for tranquillity, we hike through the forest and reside at a Buddhist temple. There, monks will teach us about meditation, chanting, and the rhythm of spiritual life.
Busan
Days 42–47: Next, we visit the coast to appreciate life on the peninsula. Busan is the metropolis of the south, known for its beaches, booming economy, and universities. Here you can experience how a long coastline shapes a nation’s heart and soul from international relations to significant ports to seafood cuisine. It is also the home of Shinsegae, the world’s largest department store, where we can shop ’til we drop. Academically, we balance our time between making waves at the beach and working on final projects. A healthy mix of work and play helps us prepare for the last location of the term.
Beijing
Days 47–55: Final destination–Beijing. Here, we focus on the manufacturing industry and the importing and exporting of goods from China to the West. At local markets, we get a firsthand glimpse of the powerful engine that drives the Chinese economy. To conclude our academics, students present and defend their business plans they have been developing throughout the program, and prepare to enter the MEI Shark Tank. On our downtime, we explore the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace. After final exams, we celebrate our experience together with a traditional meal and the MEI award ceremony.
Departure from Beijing Airport Day 55
Tokyo
Kyoto
Hiroshima
Mt. Fuji Region
Mt. Fuji Region
Seoul
Daegu
Busan
Beijing
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 Include
- 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.
Ready to take the next step?