MIIE inaugural Student Summer Academy hosts high school students from China’s Maple Leaf Educational Systems
Over the first week of July, the McGill International Institute of Education (MIIE) hosted 23 high school students from Maple Leaf Educational Systems (MLES) in China for its inaugural MIIE Student Summer Academy.
The event marked the first collaborative project between MIIE and MLES, which is proud to be China’s largest independent school system offering high quality international education across its 78 Chinese campuses. The leading purpose of the Student Summer Academy was to introduce students to valuable knowledge and tools for pursuing university studies abroad.
The group of students attended daily university preparedness workshops facilitated by McGill Faculty of Education professors and advanced graduate students. Their university experience was complemented by a taster of student life at McGill: their week’s accommodation was New Residence Hall and dinners were served at La Citadelle Residence. Their schedule also included a variety of cultural activities and group outings throughout Montreal which highlighted the unique offerings of the city.
For several of the students, the Student Summer Academy marked their first-ever trip outside China, and many in the group hope to study at McGill upon completing their high school degrees. They were offered opportunities during the week to connect with current McGill Chinese international students in order to ask questions and gain practical information to support them in their upcoming ambitions.
The McGill International Institute of Education operates within the Faculty of Education. In addition to offering on- or off-campus Student Summer Academies for high school students, it specializes in the professional development of educators through engaging courses and workshops. These courses are designed to bring the Faculty of Education’s expertise across the globe to teachers, post-secondary educators, trainers, and educational leaders who want to make a difference in their field.