Going beyond the classroom
At Calvin, you will have the opportunity to learn by going outside the classroom...and your comfort zone. Whether you decide to live in a house that speaks Spanish 24/7, volunteer in the Grand Rapids community, or lead a Spanish communication group, you are sure to discover your place and your passion—and learn a little Spanish along the way.
Spanish in GR
Interested in finding a place to worship? serve? eat? Check out our list of area Hispanic contacts to find what you're looking for.
Spanish House
Discover what it looks like to live in an intentional living-learning community in the Spanish House.
Weekly activities
Worship the Lord with other Spanish students, enjoy Spanish conversation over dinner, or explore the opportunities to work in the Spanish department.
Student - Professor Research Opportunities
During the summer of 2012, Katie VanZanen collaborated with Professors Pyper and Slagter to examine cultural engagement and language acquisition of students studying abroad. Julie Busscher (pictured below) helped Professor Bierling continue her work started with Elena Brubaker on her research on the connections between Cuban refugees and the Christian Reformed Church.
In the past, former student Megan DeMaagd worked with Spanish Professor Ed Miller on a research project involving the Afro-Hispanic Newspapers of Argentina and Uruguay. Additionally, Elise Ditta worked with off-campus director Don DeGraff and Spanish Professor Cynthia Slagter to do some research on the long-term impact of studying abroad.
All these students were able to partner with professors through the McGregor Summer Research Fellowship Program.
