Community & Culture
Grand Rapids is Michigan's second largest city, and sits about halfway between Chicago and Detroit. A thirty minute drive east takes you to Lake Michigan, the largest fresh water lake in the USA. The city itself has a population of around 200,000 but sits in an urban area of around 600,000 residents.
Grand Rapids has a history going back about 300 years to the formation of several villages by the Ottawa Indians. European settlers moved into the area in 1826 and the city grew quickly, becoming known for its office furniture production, and its experimentations with fluoride in drinking water and hydro-electric power!
These days Grand Rapids is a thriving place, and recent years have seen a large increase in the range of restaurants, cafes, and entertainments. It boasts an opera, ballet, the symphony, an IMAX theater, four professional sports teams, plentiful shopping, and more!
Calvin also provides much in the way of entertainment and community events. It is known far-and-wide for its concert program (both classical and contemporary), the Festival of Faith and Writing, Festival of Faith and Music, film series' and countless sporting events. And that's on top of the packed program of events provided in the residence halls. You can see a calendar of forthcoming events on the Student Activities Office website.
You can find out more about Grand Rapids at visitgrandrapids.org.
A group of international students enjoys International Orientation on the beach in Grand Haven - Grand Rapids is 30-40 minutes from Lake Michigan.