BIPOC & International

We provide one-on-one support for your academic and non-academic needs. We're available to help you with advising, academic strategies, contacting instructors and navigating Calvin's campus. Our goal is to support you from your first day on campus until graduation day with the resources and encouragement you need to be a successful student.

While questions concerning financial aid, visa issues, insurance and health services cannot be directly answered by the Center for Student Success staff, we can provide direct referrals to the appropriate staff, we can provide direct referrals to the appropriate staff. We also partner with offices like CISD and Center for Counseling and Wellness for holistic support.

What does BIPOC mean at Calvin?

The term “BIPOC”, which has emerged over the last few years, stands for Black, Indigenous, People of Color. This newer term recognizes the fact that not all people of color face equal levels of injustice in our society.

At Calvin, we know that your background matters. Our backgrounds are a big part of our identities and shape the stories of our lives. We celebrate the rich diversity you bring to our campus and the many contributions you will make to the Calvin community during your time here.

Are you an international student?

You might identify as an international student if:

• The place you call home is outside the United States
• Your citizenship is in another country (or countries) than the United States
• You have dual citizenship in the US and another country
• You are an American citizen but have lived in other cultures/countries for extended periods of time,
• You consider yourself Third Culture. That is, the place you call home is different from your country of citizenship, and now you’re studying in the US.

The Center for Student Success partners with CISD to help international students thrive at Calvin. Our role is to support international students in articulating and achieving their academic goals.

Multilingual/ESL Support

We provide English language support for multilingual students who desire to strengthen their English communication in the American academic context.

English language supports include:

1. Writing classes: ENGL 100 and ENGL 102 are designed for international and multilingual students who want help with American writing expectations and cultural concerns.
2. Individual help: Students can consult with the ESL Coordinator, Sara Vander Bie, for support related to academic or non-academic concerns inside and outside of the classroom. This could include speaking & listening practice, reading coaching, grammar help, etc.
3. Rhetoric Center Consultation: students can meet one on one with peer consultants to work on any type of writing or oral presentation.

Linked English Language Learning Resources

Academic Word List – explanation of the AWL and ways to use it  
BBC Learning English – practice in listening, grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary and more  
Resources from the U.S. Department of State, Office of English Language Programs – a variety of resources for English language learners and teachers  
TED Talks – with listening & comprehension activities  
All Ears English Podcast – for listening practice, vocabulary, and American culture  
Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab – for multilingual writers 
Dave’s ESL Café – a variety of language learning resources (click on Resources)