Application process for applying to be a director of one of
Calvin’s Off-Campus Program Semesters
Thank you for your interest in applying to be a Director of one of Calvin’s Off-Campus Semester
Programs.
RESOURCE DOCUMENTS:

Application. The application includes development of the following materials: course
proposals for what you would teach during your semester abroad, written application,
resume, and two recommendation letters.

Job Description/responsibilities for Off-Campus Semester Program Directors. This
document describes the common duties and responsibilities of all semester directors;
particular requirements of each program can be obtained from the Off-Campus Programs
office.

Financial and travel policies for Calvin Off-Campus Semester Program Directors. This
document describes both the benefits and additional costs of serving as a program
director and may be helpful as you make decisions related to the application process. If
you are offered a program director position, this document would be sent to you and you
would be asked to return it, signed and dated as your official acceptance of the position.
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Don DeGraaf, Director of
Off-Campus programs (526-6225, ddegraaf@calvin.edu). Check with the OCP office for
deadlines for applying.
APPLY FOR THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS IN THE FALL SEMESTER.
Faculty will be applying to direct the program in approximately 16 months (e.g. in the Fall of 2014, we will be
accepting applications for the Spring of 2014).
Britain: The focus of the semester program in England is studying the history and culture of Britain, while
providing support to the core as well as major and minor programs at Calvin. The program can be tailored to a
variety of majors, depending on the rotating director. In addition to taking two courses taught by the program
director (Calvin professor), students can also select from a wide range of courses at York/St. John University.
Netherlands: The focus of the Netherland’s semester program is studying the natural sciences while
also exploring the history and culture of Holland. The program builds on the strong Dutch tradition in
the natural sciences at the VU University and is tailored for science and engineering majors. In
addition to taking the course taught by a Calvin professor, students also select three courses offered at
the VU University Amsterdam. Typically the program director for the Netherlands comes from the
Science Division.
Washington D.C: Focus of the program is to provide internship based experiences that takes advantage of
the political and policy development environment of Washington DC. The program is open to all majors with a
wide range of internships available. Proposed courses should be related to policy, governance, and political
theory.
APPLY FOR THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS IN THE SPRING SEMESTER.
Faculty will be applying to direct the program in approximately 16 months (e.g. in the Spring of 2013, we will be
accepting applications for the Fall of 2015).
Ghana: The semester in Ghana program will help student understand the emerging theological, historical and
social perspective within Ghana and throughout sub-Saharan Africa. As students enter into dialogue with
Ghanaians and study the history and peoples of the country, they will encounter worldviews different from
those prevalent in North America. The Calvin director in residence, the staff at the Akroli Christaller Centre,
and select staff of the Institute for African Studies (of the University of Ghana) will encourage students’
reflection on and discussion about the implications of our common humanity and different understandings as
Christians in God’s world.
Hungary: The focus of this program is studying the history and culture of Eastern Europe. Your time in
Budapest is supplemented by three to four excursions throughout Eastern Europe. The program can be tailored
to a variety of majors. In addition to taking two courses taught by a Calvin professor, students can also select
from a wide range of courses at a variety of institutions including Corvinus University of Budapest, Budapest
University of Technology and Economics, and Karoli Gaspar Reformed University.
New Mexico: This multicultural study program in New Mexico is held on the campus of Rehoboth
Christian School. The goal of this semester program is to provide an experience for first and second year
students to fulfill core requirements in a unique and diverse location that lends itself to hands-on experiential
learning. The program can be tailored to a variety of majors. In addition to taking the two classes taught by a
Calvin professor, students will also take a number of other core classes with adjunct instructors from the
Rehoboth community or from the University of New Mexico at Gallup.