International opportunity awaits local student
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It’s often said that the world is the best classroom.
No one knows this better than 17-year old Glendale High School student Megan Spencer.
The Tillsonburg teen hopes to participate in a unique international learning opportunity this summer that will take her to three continents and six cities, including Toronto, New York, London, Paris, Hong Kong and Beijing.
“It’s not a traditional in-classroom setting. We may take notes while we’re in a museum or take pictures to learn more about it that way,” said Spencer. It’s a chance to see how business is actually done - it’s different than learning from a textbook. You don’t learn the same things and you get to see the world while you’re doing it.”
The program provides a practical approach to learning and is offered through MEI International Academy, based in Central Ontario. Through a combination of courses and experiences, students learn by using the world around them as their classroom.
“I think it’s a great learning experience. It’s able to teach you everything in a short amount of time because you’re doing it so hands on,” said Spencer.
Each city students visit will include various tasks to complete and a required list of reading material, as part of the learning experience.
Spencer will be working on two high school credits with the program – English Literature and International Business.
“For example, New York is really focused on the stock market and for the other course (English Literature) we would go see Shakespeare plays in London,” she said.
In addition, there will be regular tests, exams and essays to write - all based on what students learn overseas and in each of the cities visited.
The Tillsonburg student has developed a keen interest in business and has completed several business courses in recent years. She has been involved with Junior Achievement and is currently the president of the local chapter. Spencer is also an active member of clubs, school council, extracurricular groups, and is a peer tutor.
Spencer is hoping that residents of Tillsonburg and the local business community will rally behind her and show their support for this once in a lifetime opportunity.
“I’m trying to find local companies in town that would like to sponsor me, through corporate donations to help offset the costs of this opportunity,” said Spencer.
The price tag for such an experience runs approximately $10,000 – $15,000, including tuition, a custom course pack, travel and insurance expenses, books, lodging and one meal per day. Although she hasn’t yet been accepted into the program, Spencer is seriously considering it providing she can raise the money needed.
“I heard about this from my business teacher. I’ve taken every business class that my high school offers and I’m also doing online ones that we can’t get at our school,” said Spencer. “I’m really interested in the business world and my teacher suggested junior achievement and then this opportunity with MEI International Academy, so I started looking into it.”
Once finished high school Spencer will continue her studies at university and plans on pursuing post-secondary education and a career in business.
“I’m staying back a year for the victory lap in high school because I wanted to get more courses in and then I plan on going to the University of Ottawa.”
Spencer believes this is an incredible learning opportunity that will open doors for an exciting future.
“I’ve never travelled like this before so I think the travelling part of it will be a really big eye-opener. Canada is so small compared to the world – there’s so much to explore and I get to make lifelong friends while I’m travelling around the world for 40 days,” said Spencer. “I’ll be able to see all these places and how different every culture is.
“I think it’s going to be a life altering experience.”
For anyone wishing to help Megan Spencer with her travel expenses for the trip, there is an account that has been set up in trust at the local Royal Bank branch here in Tillsonburg. All monies donated will be used exclusively for the study program. Cheques can be sent to or dropped off at the Royal Bank for ‘Megan Spencer in Trust.’ For more information contact Tamara Bull, tamara.bull@sympatico.ca