Off-Campus Study

Dordt strives to provide an education that will help you understand global and cross-cultural issues from a biblical perspective, preparing you to live as a Christian in a world that is growing increasingly smaller and more diverse.

One way we do this is by making available a wealth of off-campus study opportunities. Ranging from three weeks in the summer to a full semester, these off-campus programs offer qualified students the opportunity to expand their worldview as they study in a new setting, culture, and environment.

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Dordt Semester Programs

Participation in SPICE, the Semester in Zambia, or the Semester in Korea satisfies the General Education Cross-Cultural requirement.

Chicago Semester is a unique opportunity to gain experience living, learning, and working in a large metropolitan city. As an internship and seminar program, Chicago Semester has opportunities for juniors and seniors from all majors. Recognized nationally as an Experiential Education Program of the Year, students will be placed in an internship in their field, as well as take seminar courses that fulfill CORE requirements.

The Viaa Exchange is an exciting program that gives students the opportunity to study and live in the Netherlands for the spring semester. It is a cooperative program with VIAA, a university in Zwolle, Netherlands. Students live with host families and have opportunities to interact with Dutch students as they study in one of four tracks: Western Culture, Nursing, Education, and International Business. The program is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Apply now to Viaa Exchange!

The Semester in Zambia is a unique opportunity for students to experience life as a student in Africa. Students will study at Northrise University, a Christian institution in Zambia. Choose from coursework in business, information technology, theology, or agriculture while building relationships with students in sub-Saharan Africa. This program, open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors, will give you a first-hand view into the struggles and joys of life in Zambia.

The Semester in Korea gives students the unique opportunity to live and study alongside Korean other international students at Handong Global University. Living in the beautiful city of Pohang, South Korean, students have the opportunity to explore the rich cultural opportunities in the country. Handong offers courses in many majors, from engineering and psychology to art and business. The Semester in Korea is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

The Denver Urban Semester is a reflective, visionary leadership development program which provides a cross-cultural experience in the heart of the city, giving you the opportunity to develop a mature understanding of God’s unique vocational direction for your life. During your semester in Denver, you’ll spend 28 to 36 hours per week at an internship, take 2 to 3 classes, and live in community. You’ll also learn about community development, careers in nonprofits, and how to serve and empower the poor. This program is available both fall and spring semesters.

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CCCU Semester Programs

Participation in the Middle East Studies Program or the Scholars' Semester in Oxford satisfies the General Education Cross-Cultural requirement.

Founded in 1976, the American Studies Program (ASP) has served hundreds of students as a "Washington, D.C. campus." ASP uses Washington as a stimulating educational laboratory where college students gain hands-on experience with an internship in their chosen field, tailored to fit the students' talents and aspirations. Participants also explore pressing national and international issues in public policy seminars led by ASP faculty and Washington professionals. The program aims to help students live faithfully in contemporary society as followers of Christ.

Based in Amman, Jordan, the Middle East Studies Program* (MESP) offers students a unique opportunity to explore and interact with the complex and strategic world of the modern Middle East. Students explore diverse religious, social, cultural, and political traditions of Middle Eastern peoples through interdisciplinary seminars. Students also study the Arabic language and work as volunteers with various organizations around Jordan. Through travel in the region (typically Egypt, Israel, Morocco, Turkey, and Spain), students are exposed to the diversity and dynamism of the region. At a time of tension and change in the Middle East, MESP encourages and equips students to relate to the Muslim world in an informed, constructive, and Christ-centered manner.

The Scholar's Semester in Oxford* (SSO) is designed for students interested in completing intensive scholarship. Working with academic tutors, students advance their academic writing and research skills and explore the disciplines and interests of their choice. As visiting students of Oxford University and members of Wycliffe Hall, students have the privilege to study and learn in one of the university's historic halls. The SSO is designed for students interested in the fields of classics, English and literature, theology and religious studies, philosophy, and history, though all majors may apply. Applicants are generally honors and other very high-achieving students and must have a 3.7 GPA to be considered for the program.

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Other Semester Programs

Participation in either of these programs satisfies the Core Program cross-cultural requirement.

The Creation Care Study Program is a semester-long academic experience in Belize or New Zealand is designed to offer students from Christian colleges a field-based education that explores Christian responsibility in a fragmented world marked by poverty, hostility, environmental demise, opportunism, and social disintegration. Students will be challenged to explore the interactions between economic development, society, the environment, government, and faith.

Irish Studies Program offers a transformative experience deeply rotted in Northern Ireland’s culture and history. As part of the Irish Studies program, you will take courses in peacemaking and reconciliation, Irish history and culture, and other electives of interest that will meet Dordt’s CORE and major requirements. The program is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

LA Film Studies Center is a robust, faith-based, academic program that provides a unique opportunity for students to live in the city of Los Angeles while taking courses and an internship in the film industry that will fulfill Dordt’s CORE and major requirements. The program is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

The Contemporary Music Center provides students with the opportunity to live and work in the refining context of community while seeking to understand to integrate music, faith, and business. Both the Artist and Executive tracks offer students instruction, experience, and a uniquely Christ-centered perspective on creativity and the marketplace, while working together to create and market a recording of original music. Both tracks include coursework, labs, directed study, and a practicum.

NYC King's College is a visiting student program of The King’s College, located in downtown Manhattan. Students will be immersed in a rigorous and engaging academic experience, learning from award-winning professors who epitomize committed Christian faith along with mastery in their fields. In addition to visits from industry professionals and the vibrant faculty lectures, students will take advantage of unparalleled networking opportunities, cultural experiences, and more. The program offers tracks in journalism and Theatre and is open to sophomore, juniors, and seniors.

Semester in Spain combines serious classroom study with the best way to learn Spanish: by living in a Spanish home and using the language every day in ordinary conversation.The program offers beginning, intermediate and advanced courses in Spanish. The location in Seville adds cultural and historical depth to the student's studies and makes learning Spanish a memorable experience.

The Uganda Studies Program* (USP) offers students a very personal encounter with and people of East Africa. Uganda Christian University (UCU), serves as the base of study for students in the USP. Set on the outskirts of the capital city Kampala, this rapidly growing institution brings USP students together with the UCU Honours College. Courses taught by local faculty in the British tutorial tradition will immerse students in a uniquely African education. Homestays, travel, service learning, and daily interaction with Honours College students form the backbone of the USP experience. Uganda Studies students explore the changing Africa from a variety of perspectives.

Semester Programs FAQs

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR SEMESTER PROGRAMS

To be eligible for a semester off campus you must complete the three-part application process listed below, which consists of Dordt internal approval, an application to the program you hope to attend, and a pre-departure process after you have been accepted.

STEP 1: INTERNAL APPROVAL

Deadline: Deadline: October 15 for Fall and Summer programs, March 15 for Spring Programs

The internal approval process determines your academic, behavioral, and financial eligibility for an off-campus semester program. Contact the Global Education office to begin the internal approval process.

STEP 2: PROGRAM APPLICATION

You can find the application materials on the Off-Campus Program Canvas page. Upon internal approval, you can access the application information on the corresponding programs' website, paying close attention to deadlines and requirements. For Viaa Exchange, you can find the application materials here.

STEP 3: PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION

Once you have been accepted to an off-campus program, you should begin to make preparations for going abroad. If your program is outside of the United States, you should obtain a passport immediately. You will also need to complete a number of forms, make an appointment for a pre-travel health consultation, and address housing needs for the upcoming year.

DEADLINES

INTERNAL APPROVAL DEADLINES FOR ALL PROGRAMS

October 15 | Internal approval deadline for ALL Fall and Summer off-campus programs for the following academic year

March 15 | Internal approval deadline for ALL Spring off-campus programs for the following academic year

DORDT PROGRAM APPLICATION DEADLINES

October 15 | Viaa Exchange (Netherlands) application deadline

March 1 | Chicago Semester Fall application deadline

May 1 | Chicago Semester Spring application deadline

PARTNER PROGRAM APPLICATION DEADLINES

***Refer to the off-campus program's specific website to find deadline information for all partner programs

Yes, there are scholarships available for semester programs. Please contact Financial Aid to learn more.

These programs will cost approximately the same as the cost of Dordt's tuition, fees, and food and housing:
  • Viaa Exchange - The Netherlands
  • Australia Studies Centre
  • Contemporary Music Center – Nashville
  • Northern Ireland Semester
  • Los Angeles Film Studies Center
  • Scholars’ Semester in Oxford
  • Creation Care Study Program – New Zealand or Belize
  • Oman Semester
  • Romania Semester
  • Veritas South Africa Engineering Program
These programs will cost approximately the same as the cost of Dordt's tuition and fees:
  • Chicago Semester
  • Semester in Korea
  • Semester in Zambia
  • American Studies Program – Washington, D.C.
  • Latin American Studies Program
  • Middle East Studies Program
  • Uganda Studies Program
  • Lithuania Semester
  • Semester in Spain

Meet with the Global Studies Program Specialist in Global Education for more details.

The price of the program typically covers the following costs:
  • Tuition, food & housing
  • Selected excursions throughout the semester

Additional expenses:

  • Airfare
  • Visas (required for some countries)
  • Application fee (typically $50)
  • Textbooks
  • Independent travel
  • Travel insurance ($185) - This insurance is a supplemental health insurance policy that also provides financial assistance for medical or security evacuations if necessary. Required for all students studying abroad, the Global Education office will enroll each student and he/she will be billed through Dordt for this expense.

For Dordt Programs:
  • 100% of your Dordt institutional aid is applied to your semester off-campus

Possible Exceptions:

  • Activities scholarships (choir, band, athletics, Kuyper Honors Program, etc.) Please talk to the coach or director of your activity about your plans to study off-campus. This person can allow you to keep the scholarship during your semester off-campus or can withhold the scholarship that semester.
For Partner Programs:
  • 50% of your Dordt institutional aid is applied to your semester off-campus

Possible Exceptions:

  • Activities scholarships (choir, band, athletics, Kuyper Honors Program, etc.) Please talk to the coach or director of your activity about your plans to study off-campus. This person can allow you to keep 50% of the scholarship during your semester off-campus or can withhold the scholarship that semester.
  • Institutional Grants (alumni, distance, heritage, etc.) 100% of any institutional grants you have from Dordt will still apply to your semester off-campus.

Whether you plan to participate in a Dordt or partner program, all financial aid from outside of Dordt should still apply. These may include:

  • Government loans
  • Bank loans
  • Private scholarships
  • Gilman Scholarship (for Pell-eligible students)
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Short-Term Summer Programs

Dordt faculty-led summer programs are typically offered in a two year rotation (either even or odd summers). The programs are 2-3 weeks long and complete three Dordt credits. Students should start the summer off-campus application process approximately one year in advance. Check with the Global Education office to see which programs will be offered this coming summer.

CENTRAL AMERICA: LANGUAGE, CULTURE, AND SOCIETY*

Looking to fulfill your cross-cultural requirement? Immerse yourself in the language, culture, and history of Puerto Rico on this 3 week trip! Explore Puerto Rico's historical roots and the influences shaping this Caribbean Island. Emphasis is placed on understanding the culture and perspective of its people through hands-on investigation. Additionally, you have the option to study the rich and diverse ecosystems in depth, with the possibility of getting Core science credit. Open to any major, Spanish knowledge is not required.

DUTCH CULTURE AND A REFORMED WORLDVIEW*

Study Dutch culture 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 present day. 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. Weekend trips to London and Normandy/Paris are part of the program. CORE 283 is not a language class and is open to students from any major. Students receive credit for CORE 283 with this program. Cost is approximately $3,000, not including plane ticket.

KOREAN STUDIES SUMMER PROGRAM

KSSP is a 3-week program hosted at Hannam University, a small English-speaking campus located in the center of Daejeon, South Korea. During the first three weeks of the program, participants will complete a course focused on Korean language and culture. The courses are subject to change but generally include the following topics and activities: Korean Martial Arts, Architecture, Society, History, Dance, Intercultural Communication, Cinema, Culture and field excursions. If students choose to stay for the fourth week of the program, they will complete a Teaching Practicum where they will teach English to elementary school students.

LCC INTERNATIONAL - SUMMER IN LITHUANIA

Students participating in this 5-week program are fully immersed in Eastern European cultures as they study in an international community and live in the port city of Klaipėda, Lithuania. Students are housed in one of our residence halls with three international roommates. Taking a wide variety of courses with their Eastern European peers exposes students to a variety of different cultures and enables them to learn the subject material while at the same time challenging their worldview through classroom diversity and intercultural engagement. In addition to academic learning, students are enabled and encouraged to immerse themselves in the community through volunteer and service oriented opportunities as well as academic internships / practicums.

CHICAGO SEMESTER SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Are you interested in Chicago Semester but unable to participate in the traditional fall and spring semester programs? The new summer Chicago Semester program might be perfect for you. This summer program offers select students paid and unpaid internship options, coursework through the Metropolitan Seminar: Diversity & Inequality, and a living experience in the city that mirrors the semester program.

AU SABLE INSTITUTE

The Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies offers field-based courses at two primary campuses: one in the Great Lakes Forest near the middle of the North American continent, the other on the Puget Sound on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, north of Seattle, Washington. The Institute also has a program at ECHO in North Fort Myers, Florida. There are three-week and five-week summer sessions. Courses can be applied toward meeting Dordt University graduation requirements in several majors. Au Sable courses and Dordt courses can also be used to meet requirements for certificates issued by Au Sable Institute in the following areas: Naturalist, Land Resources Analyst, Water Resources Analyst, and Environmental Analyst. Au Sable fellowships and grants-in-aid are available to Dordt students. Talk with the Dordt Au Sable representative, Professor Robert De Haan, for more information.

SUMMER IN SPAIN*

A summer term version of Trinity Christian College's Semester in Spain Program in Seville, Spain. Two four-week sessions are offered each summer, with the option to participate in one or both sessions.

WORLD JOURNALISM INSTITUTE

The World Journalism Institute in Asheville, North Carolina, offers summer courses in New York City, Los Angeles, Asheville, Washington, D.C., and here on Dordt's campus, to help train young Christians to write well, observe keenly, and think biblically.

CHEZ VOUS: NORMANDY, FRANCE *

Chez Vous is a six-week summer program that integrates French language study with real life. Students grow in their French language skills, experience authentic French culture, and learn about the spiritual heritage and ministry opportunities within the Francophone world.

OXFORD SUMMER PROGRAMME *

The Oxford Summer Programme (OSP) is associated with the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) and Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. This program is designed for students wishing to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between Christianity and the development of the West. Students have the opportunity to learn under expert Oxford academics in the areas of history, religious studies, political theory, philosophy, English, and history of science. This program is structured for rising college sophomores, juniors, seniors, graduate and seminary students, non-traditional students, teachers, and those enrolled in continuing education programs. Students earn 6 semester hours of credit.

* Participation in one of these programs satisfies the Core Program's cross-cultural requirement.

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Short-Term Winter Program

The course will require students to critically analyze the transition from the medieval to the Renaissance worldview, with Florence and Tuscany—key sites for the Italian Renaissance—as the primary example of this transition. Students will analyze how worldview development affected every aspect an entire city and region, and they will critique from a Reformed perspective the particular applications of an all-encompassing, total Roman Catholic worldview that includes in its scope all aspects of human life and society. The course is taught throughout the fall semester and includes a guided 6-8-day trip to Florence, Italy in January, before the spring semester begins.

Ready to see the world?