International Alumni Profiles: Austin Graff

Austin Graff '07

Major: International Relations/History (double major)
Country you grew up in: Russia/Kazakhstan
Nationality: USA
Parent occupations: Church planters
High school: Black Forest Academy
Current occupation: Marketing Manager at International Justice Mission 

Out of thousands of schools in the U.S., why Calvin?
Great financial aid & many ways to get involved & many majors to choose from.

What opportunities for spiritual growth did you participate in?
Chapel, active in local church in Grand Rapids, dorm bible studies.

What was the best class or best professor you had?
Any int'l relations course with Dr. Amy Patterson. She is a friend, mentor, and great professor.

How did the student resources available help you?
Career Development helped me find an internship and reached out to Calvin alumni in the DC area.

What did you usually do for fun on the weekends?
Partake in on-campus activities like movies, IMPROV, or explore Grand Rapids with dorm friends.

How did you get involved at Calvin?
I was involved in my dorm and served on Student Senate for two years. I also studied in China on the Calvin Semester and went to Kenya on Interim.

What's your advice to students who are thinking about applying to Calvin?
Make the most of your time from getting to know your professors to getting involved in at least one thing on campus to develop leadership skills and meet new people.

How did Calvin College prepare you for your career of choice?
Not only did my int'l relations classes practically prepare me to work for an int'l non-profit, but most importantly it prepared me to think critically and to be open to God using me to redeem the darkest parts of the world.

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