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Living and studying in another country is an adventure! Sure you could travel and visit another country, but nothing compares to studying and living abroad. By studying abroad you gain the benefits of not being just a tourist. You really begin to appreciate and gradually become a part of another culture, language, and living style!

–Kerrilyn Esselink, SPICE 2011

The biggest benefit of a semester abroad is the new perspective it gives you. There is no better way to critically examine one's own culture than by being outside of your own culture for a while. I know that my semester abroad changed my outlook on life. Not only is a semester abroad life-changing in its eye-opening experiences, it is also a GREAT deal! We all have to pay for our education anyway, so why not pay a little extra and experience a semester abroad? With a semester abroad you can travel and still be working toward your degree!

–Erica Lieuwen, Creation Care Studies Program 2010

Being in Nicaragua on Dordt's SPIN program was an opportunity to have my eyes opened in a way they never would have been in a classroom. I'd been studying missions and Spanish, and my time in Nicaragua was a chance to put that into practice, only in a far more practical way. My eyes were opened to poverty and the great need in the world, but were opened even wider to our incredible God who holds it all in the palm of his hand.

–Hannah Ponstein, SPIN 2010

Studying off-campus is a great way to put what you've learned into action. Specifically with the Chicago Semester, you have an opportunity to take things you may have learned theoretically and put them into real-life situations with the help of someone who does have experience and can give you constructive feedback.

–Michelle Kistler, Chicago Semester 2011

I studied abroad to understand more about my family's roots and history. What I encountered was a culture that I would not have fully understood had I not spent several months participating in the daily life of the Dutch. The cultural experience was very enriching as I was able to connect traditions and values of the Dutch with those that my family still hold and value today!

–Lisa Goedhart, SPICE 2011

Studying abroad will put you into circumstances where being uncomfortable becomes your norm. But the struggles and challenges I witnessed gave me the incredible opportunity to not only fall deeper in love with God, others, and creation, but to witness God’s faithfulness and shalom.

–Michelle Smith, Semester in Hungary 2010

I strongly encourage all Dordt students to study abroad. I can't promise you that it will be the best semester of your life. I can't promise that you'll find your future spouse, land your dream job, or master a foreign language as a result of your program experience. What I can promise you, however, is that you'll never regret it.

–Adrian Hielema, Middle East Studies Program 2011

One of the most inspirational and exciting experiences during my four years at Dordt College was my semester studying in Sydney, Australia. To provide all the reasons of why every student should strike at the opportunity to study abroad would take roughly four months, but it can be boiled down to this: How will you find your place in God's world if you've limited yourself to one country?

–Lee Radde, Australia Studies Centre 2011