Frequently Asked Questions
- What opportunities are there to build relationships with development professionals and students from other schools?
- What meals are provided?
- What should I bring?
- If I'm a school professor or staff member, where do I stay?
- If I'm a representative from an organization, where do I stay?
- Where should I go when I arrive for the conference?
- What organizations will be there?
- How can I get there?
- Can I come to the conference if I live outside of North America?
- What kind of accommodations are made for people with disabilities?
- What is the refund policy for the conference?
- More questions?
What opportunities are there to build relationships with development professionals and students from other schools?
During lunch you can choose to sit at specific "Topic Tables" where you will join with other students and development professionals to discuss issues that are on your heart and to learn about what others are doing that you can learn from. This is a great time to build relationships between like-minded students from different schools as well as with development professionals who can mentor you and develop your thinking.
The breakout sessions are intentionally kept to small sizes for increased interaction between the presenter and students, so come ready to challenge and be challenged. The keynote speakers will each have a breakout session presentation during which they will take questions and elaborate on the ideas that they introduced during their plenary session.
There will also be display tables where you can find information about volunteer, internship, and career opportunities with specific organizations as well as talk with professionals who are working in the field.
What meals are provided?
Calvin College dining services will provide dinner on Thursday; breakfast, lunch and dinner on Friday; breakfast and lunch on Saturday. If you have any dietary needs, please let us know about them on your registration form.
What should I bring?
If you are staying with Calvin students it is wise to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. Also be sure to bring plenty of warm layers as Michigan’s winter weather will be in full swing. Your favorite notebook will be put to good use, and a camera can help you capture special memories. The dress for the conference is casual, so there is no need to take up precious packing space with formal clothes.
You may also want some spending money to purchase crafts at the fair trade sale or books from the conference bookstore.
If I'm a school professor or staff member, where do I stay?
For every 15 students a school brings, they receive 1/2 off of the price of one room at the Prince Conference Center. You are more than welcome to stay there since we find accommodations for your students.
If I'm a representative from an organization, where do I stay?
We recommend you stay at the Prince Conference Center that will be at a reduced rate of $75.00 plus tax, but you may stay at any hotel of your choice. The Prince Conference center is located on campus and is easily accessible during the conference. It also provides a complimentary shuttle from the Grand Rapids airport to the hotel with advance notice.
Where should I go when I arrive for the conference?
Registration will be at the north entrance to the Calvin College Chapel. If you are coming by car please temporarily park in the Spoelhof parking lot. At registration you will receive a parking permit valid for the DeVos lot east of the East Beltline. Please move your car to this lot after registering. A campus map is available at here.
What organizations will be there?
See our sponsorship page for information on what organizations will be at the FIDC.
How can I get there?
Grand Rapids has the Gerald R. Ford International Airport which runs multiple flights to and from the major hubs of Chicago and Detroit daily and there are bus and train terminals downtown. If you need transportation from the airport/terminal to the college please contact the FIDC Committee and arrangements can be made.
Can I come to the conference if I live outside of North America?
We want first to say that we would love to have Christian university students from around the world attend. But we must also be realistic, and we doubt that the cost of overseas travel would be compensated by the value of the conference. If it should happen that you are in the United States for another reason, then it would make good sense for you to attend the conference, but overseas travel just to attend the conference would probably not be good stewardship. Because the conference is very low budget, there are no resources to support international travel or to provide any other financial incentives for attendance. But here’s another idea. Why don’t you consider organizing a similar conference in your region of the world? The student organizers of Calvin’s conference will be happy to encourage you and to help you by telling you how we got the conference started here, who supports it, how it is organized, etc.
What kind of accommodations are made for people with disabilities?
If you have a disability, the Faith and International Development Conference would like to accommodate your needs as much as possible. To assist us, please contact the FIDC directors with your specific needs as soon as possible.
What is the refund policy for the conference?
Cancellations through January 25th, 2012 will receive a full refund. Cancellations between January 26, 2012 and midnight on February 2, 2012 will receive a ½ refund if there is a legitimate reason for the cancellation. After the conference begins there is no guarantee of any refund; requests for refunds will be considered on a case by case basis.
More questions?
Email the FIDC Committee for more specific information
