Study off-campus
Check out these semester-long programs offered by Calvin to fulfill your study abroad requirement for international development studies.
100% of your financial aid applies to the following, Calvin-sponsored programs:
Honduras (development studies)
Spring semester
This semester program offers students an excellent opportunity to gain an up-close look at the developing world and hands-on experience with development issues. STHO 212 fulfills the Community Development requirement of the IDS major, and the other two development classes, STHO 210 and 211, count as IDS electives.
Honduras (Spanish studies)
Fall semester
Though this semester is focused primarily on language rather than development, it still offers an excellent experience for students who desire to increase their Spanish fluency while gaining a close look at a developing country. SPHO 205 counts as the Introduction to Development and substitutes for IDS 201. Courses in Latin American literature and culture are generally counted as IDS electives.
Ghana
Fall semester
The Ghana program provides students with courses in African culture, history and recent political economic development. Excursions to important geographic and cultural regions bring students into contact with many of Ghana’s distinct ethnic groups, their ways of life and their modern day challenges. Courses taken in Ghana usually qualify as IDS electives.
China
Fall semester
This semester offers students the chance to take an in-depth look at one of the fastest-developing countries in the world. The courses offered on this semester focus on Chinese history and culture and usually count as IDS electives.
Thailand
Spring semester
The Thailand semester focuses on the environmental side of development. Participants explore the interaction between human and natural ecology through interactive experiences with some of Thailand’s main regions and peoples. The first month of the program emphasizes language learning and cultural training. This program fulfills the ENST 210/BIO 364 requirement of the IDS major as well as all three electives.
