Who can apply?
Any Calvin student with the following characteristics may apply for the Orientation Assistant position:
- Has citizenship outside the US or Canada or has had significant international experience
- Has interest in and commitment to helping new students make a smooth and successful adjustment to Calvin
- Shows a willingness to exercise gifts of creativity, hospitality, and service
- Possesses general understanding of Calvin's campus environment (current or previous experience in orientation, a student organization, student leadership, or campus office is highly desirable)
- Demonstrates confidence and maturity in interpersonal relationships
- Strives to manifest Christian commitment in thought, word, and deed
- Has a minimum GPA of 2.5
- Maintains full-time student status at Calvin and fulfills the college's eligibility requirements for participation in campus activities as reflected in the Student Handbook.
Specific responsibilities
Calvin's international orientation program is divided into International Passport (specifically for international students from Thursday, August 23 through Sunday, August 26), Passport IV (for American and international students from Monday, August 27 through Wednesday, August 29), and QUEST (a fall component for all new students). Orientation Assistants will participate in all aspects of the International Passport program and help with some aspects of Passport IV, but are not involved with the Quest program.
- Spring: Orientation Assistants will attend a leadership training session on April 27 and in addition, meet together weekly to prepare and pray for the incoming first year students.
- Summer: Orientation Assistants are NOT required to be in Grand Rapids for the summer, but will receive regular email updates which may or may not include projects to be completed.
- Fall: All Orientation Assistants will be expected to convene for the training program that begins at 5:00pm on Friday, August 17; Housing will be available starting on Thursday, August 16.
- August 17-20: Off campus retreat to begin training and preparation for International Passport.
- August 21-23: Continue training and preparation on campus.
- August 23-26: Stay in Schultze-Eldersveld with new students.
- August 24-29:International Passport and PASSPORT IV.
- Note that Orientation Assistants will be very busy from August 17-29 and should not have other obligations or responsibilities within that time frame.
In mid-November, OA's will help set up and attend International Passport Reunion.
What's the compensation?
Orientation Assistants will receive $350 for participating in the orientation program. Returning Orientation Assistants will receive $400.
Steps to apply:
All application materials must be returned to the Student Development Office in the Commons Annex, no later than Monday, March 26 by noon (12:00pm). Applicants will only be considered once all materials, including online recommendations, are submitted.
- Complete the online application (click the apply button above).
- Submit a formal resume to the Student Development Office or email in PDF form form to rjl5@calvin.edu.
- Find two people to submit an online recommendation. Applicants are responsible for contacting their references and ensuring that the recommendation forms are submitted by noon (12:00pm), Monday, March 26.
What's the selection process?
The first stage of the selection process will be based on the submitted resume, application, and references. After reviewing these, a group of candidates will be selected to be interviewed during the last week of March, March 27-30. Selected OA's for IP 2012 will be notified the first week of April.
