Instructor: Prof. Herman de Vries
Contact: hermdevr@calvin.edu

January 2005 Itinerary Overview*

Download a printer-friendly calendar:   

Jan. 4, Grand Rapids, MI
Group departure to the Netherlands!

Jan. 5-8, Amsterdam (province of North Holland)
Including canal tour; museum visits; lecture a Free University; visit to a high school; visit to a Christian ministry center in Red Light District; Concert at Concertgebouw & more...

Jan. 8-10, Harderwijk (province of Gelderland)
Visit sites around Harderwijk (historic fishing city); excursions to province-island Flevoland, province of Friesland—afsluitdijk & Frisian Museum, and to Veluwe national forest; worship at local church; time with host families & more...

Jan. 11-14, Utrecht
Visit sites in historic Utrecht (once part of Roman Empire!); a free day to use at your discretion; excursion to city of Gouda (spectacular stain-glass church) & more...

Jan. 15-16, Loenen (province of Utrecht)
Sites, walking, bicycling along the scenic Vecht river; visit working windmill; fascinating lecture on a famous Dutch artist; church services with families & more...

Jan. 17-18, The Hague (province of South Holland)
Visit government buildings including famous Knights Hall; meeting with Dutch politician; spectacular art museum (see Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring); excursion to historic cities of Delft or Leiden, & more...

Jan. 19-20, Middelburg (capital of province Zeeland)
Walking tour through historic city, led by locals; presentation by local historian; visit museum devoted to the Low Lands’ eternal battle with the sea (dikes, dams, locks, floods, etc.); free time in scenic city & more...

Jan 20-21, Gent (Belgium)
Explore medieval castle; exquisite Belgian cuisine; breath-taking Cathedral; world-famous painting by Van Eyk, “Lamb of God”; possible meeting with European Union representative in Brussels; & our Farewell Dinner Party...

Jan 22-26
Free days for your own travel... "Veel plezier!" (have fun!)

Jan 26, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
Return flight home.

*Some items subject to change.

Course Description

W40 Dutch Interim Abroad
In this course students experience Dutch culture and everyday life in the Netherlands. This course features numerous contacts with the Dutch as well as museum visits, excursions, concerts, church services, and sightseeing. Depending on language background of participating students, some may also receive several days of formal language instruction from a local Dutch language teacher. Lodging includes several home stays with Dutch hosts. Local and intercity travel is done primarily via the efficient bus and rail systems. Extended stays include the major cities of Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Middelburg, with numerous excursions to cities including Gouda, Haarlem, The Hague, as well as to the province of Friesland and to cities in Belgium. The course concludes with free days for independent travel. Course goals are that students demonstrate gains in Dutch language skills and that understanding of various religious, political, and broadly cultural facets of the Low Countries is increased. Students demonstrate achievement of these goals in journal writing, field assignments, and in a concluding writing project. Students with skills in the Dutch language are given priority.

Prerequisites

Participants are normally required to have some experience in the Dutch language. While our hosts and the people we will encounter may be able to switch to English if necessary, they will be asked to speak as much as possible to you in Dutch. Should limiting the number of participants be necessary, students with ability in the Dutch language will be given priority over students with no Dutch language skills. This course application requires one recommendation.

Credit

The interim trip earns you credit toward a Dutch minor. The four semesters of required Dutch language courses, plus the interim give you four of the seven credits needed for the minor. The Dutch interim (W50) does not exempt you from a semester of the language requirement.

Cost

Approximately $2,000. This includes all costs for travel, lodging, and some food expenses. It also includes essential expenses for your independent travel. Please note that on-campus students receive a substantial housing rebate from the college. This rebate will help to offset your total costs.

Application

A verbal commitment before the end of September 2004 is requested. By mid October you will be asked to commit with a financial down-payment. Visit the Off-Campus Programs website for additional student resources (required forms and documents for international travel).