MEI offers many activities and events for students. These events help you better understand the American culture. They are also a great opportunity to make friends and have fun speaking English.
MEI Events Calendar
View the events calendar for upcoming field trips and activities.
International Coffee Hour
An International Coffee Hour happens every Wednesday during the semester. This is a chance to meet both American and International students on campus:
- Where: Dorchester Hall (Ground Floor Lounge)
- When: Wednesdays 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm
- Who: all students are welcome
- What: free snacks, coffee, and conversation
MEI Field Trips and Activities
MEI has field trips every semester to interesting places in the area. There are class field trips for students in a class. There are also MEI field trips for all the students at MEI. Some of the places MEI students have gone to include:
- The Inner Harbor
- The Air and Space Museum
- The Maryland Science Museum
- The National Zoo
- The National Museum of American History
- The Newseum
- The Spy Museum
- The College Park Aviation Museum
- The Mall to see the cherry blossoms
MEI students also participate in various social events. Examples include:
- Basketball, Baseball, and Football Games
- International Education Week
- Bowling Parties
- Ice Cream Parties
- Outdoor Picnics
Places to Shop
There are many shopping areas close to campus with restaurants and stores. Some of the big stores near campus include:
- IKEA, a Swedish furniture store
- REI, a recreational equipment store
- Target, a discount department store
- Home Depot, a discount home supply store
- Best Buy, a discount electronics store
There are also many shopping malls not far from campus. You can get to most of these using public transportation. Read more about getting to shopping.
You can also find great bargains at Potomac Mills Outlet Mall. This is one of the world’s largest discount malls. It has more than 220 outlet stores. Manufacturer-direct, off-price and discount stores carry leading names such as Bally, Royal Doulton, Guess, Laura Ashley, Levi, Escada, Calvin Klein and a JC Penney outlet.
Shuttle service to Potomac Mills runs Wednesday through Sunday. The service runs from 3 Metro subway stations: Metro Center, Rosslyn and Pentagon.
Places to Go
The Washington area attracts tourists from all over the world. Some of the most famous places are listed below:
| The National Mall | Home of the famous monuments and many museums |
| Bureau of Engraving & Printing | See where money is printed! |
| Chesapeake and Potomac National Park | Along the Potomac River, a great place for picnics |
| Claude Moore Colonial Farm | A reconstructed farm of early America |
| Colvin Run Mill Park | An early 19th century mill and general store |
| Georgetown | High-end shops, bars and restaurants |
| Green Spring Gardens Park Center | A late 18th century manor house with gardens |
| Meadowlark Gardens Regional Park | 3 ponds, 2 miles of trails and year-round gardens |
| Federal Bureau of Investigation | Center of the US’s primary law enforcement agency |
| Frederick Douglass National Historic Site | Home of the leading African American spokesman of the 19th century |
| National Aquarium | The Nation’s first public aquarium |
| National Arboretum | More than 400 acres of trees, shrubs, and flowering plants |
| Cherry Blossom Festival | The Nation’s greatest springtime celebration |
| National Geographic Explorers Hall | An interactive exhibit to explore the earth and geography |
| Old Post Office | See the technological innovations of the 19th century! |
| United States Botanic Garden | Rare and endangered plants on exhibit |
| Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts | The national performing arts center with six theaters |
| Wolf Trap Farm Park for the Performing Arts | The only national park for the performing arts |
| The Ellipse | A home for sporting events and public gatherings |
| Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool | A dramatic long and large rectangular pool on the Mall |
Local Events
Music festivals, film festivals, art festivals, fairs & parades all take place around College Park. Movie houses are close by as well. The nightlife is rich and varied. Open houses, local events and neighborhood markets are also available. Find the latest event information.
Campus Services
Our campus services page has information about student organizations and athletics at the university.
