Learn or improve your Spanish language skills while living in a Central American setting. Explore the historical roots and influences shaping a contemporary Central American country. Emphasis is placed on understanding the challenges and potential of Central America today. Students will live with families and have ample opportunities to interact with local Spanish speakers. Several excursions are planned to supplement classroom instruction. Previous Spanish courses are not required.

Study the identity of the Dutch people from the 17th century to the present while living in the Netherlands for three weeks. Examine the history of the Calvinist heritage from the Synod of Dordt to the contribution of Abraham Kuyper to the present. Discover how Kuyper’s Reformed worldview has shaped various aspects of life and society such as church, politics, trade, land reclamation, etc. Special attention will be given to events and sites relating to World War II. There are classes in the morning and field trips in the afternoon.

The course will focus on culture, missions and community development in Nicaragua in cooperation with the Nehemiah Center in Managua, Nicaragua. Through pre-trip orientation and assigned readings and a variety of in-country experiences students will explore the history, culture, government and social life of Nicaragua and examine how a variety of mission outreaches and community development programs have attempted to offer assistance in Nicaragua.

Utilizing representatives from a variety of agencies active in Nicaragua, the students will be involved in discussions about the future of Nicaragua and its relationship to the rest of the world, as well as having an opportunity to learn about the differing philosophies and implementation plans of these different mission agencies and community development organizations. Where possible, students will be given the opportunity to get involved in the day-to-day work of the agencies visited in Nicaragua.

Arrive in Budapest, Hungary and spend time exploring and studying Hungarian culture and history. Then spend two weeks living in Hungarian ethnic communities in rural Transcarpathia, Ukraine. Visit schools in the region and assist in teaching English to middle and high school students and adults. Absorb and experience the local culture and be of service in appropriate ways to people living in the post-communist era. There will be pre-trip orientation and assignments related to the history, culture and language of the region.

Students will stay in Korea for three weeks in urban and rural areas and study its culture through religion and music. Both in a classroom setting and through travels, students will learn about the history and religions of Korea with emphasis on their modern development. They will experience Korean culture and music through personal relationships with Chong-Shin University students while they take lectures, discussions, and excursions together. This course is open to students of any major who have completed at least one year of college.