February 9, 2025
CAA/CALL Travel: South Korea and Japan

Calvin celebrates its 150th anniversary during the 2025–2026 school year, and our travel program is joining the celebration by exploring 10 countries across six continents. Join us as we commemorate Calvin’s global reach with an exciting line-up of tours.

Tour Status

The plans for this tour are in the finalization stage! We hope to have a full itinerary and details within the next two weeks.

Interested in learning more? Add your name to the interest list so you’ll be notified when tour details are finalized.

Joining the interest list simply means you’ll be notified directly when final plans are set; it does not reserve a spot on the tour. All passengers will be accepted on a first-come basis via our partner, Witte Travel, after tour registration opens.

For questions beyond the interest list, send an inquiry to [email protected].

Tour Dates

These tour dates are estimated dates.

Highlights

Seoul, South Korea 

  • Visit the Demilitarized Zone on the border between North Korea and South Korea 
  • Admire the evening skyline on a Han River cruise 
  • Meet local Calvin alumni and explore the city with them 
  • Shop at Dongdaemun Market, the country’s largest shopping district 

Busan, South Korea 

  • Wander through Jagalchi Fish Market, the largest seafood market in South Korea 
  • View the city from the top of the Diamond Tower 
  • Tour the vibrant, mural-filled Gamcheon Culture Village  
  • Ride the Sky Capsule mini-train along Haeundae Beach 

Hiroshima, Japan 

  • Reflect at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Museum, and Children’s Monument 
  • Explore the colorful rocks and sandy beaches of Sensuijima Island, part of Japan’s first national park 
  • Browse the port town of Tomonoura 

Kyoto, Japan 

  • Take a city tour featuring Kinkakuji Temple, the Gold Pavilion 
  • Stop at Kiyomizudera Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in 780 without the use of nails 
  • Walk through the towering bamboo forest at Arashiyama Bamboo Grove 
  • Enjoy a traditional tea ceremony 
  • Learn about traditional armor at the Samurai Museum 

Transportation includes… 

  • Flights to Seoul and home from Tokyo 
  • High-speed bullet train rides between cities 
  • Four-hour ferry ride between South Korea and Japan 

Tour Host

Don DeGraaf ’82 served as Calvin’s director of off-campus programs from 2009-2019 following a stint as professor of kinesiology. He has traveled extensively throughout Asia and lived in the Philippines, Korea, Hong Kong, and Australia. He has led experiential learning trips for college students in 11 different locations, and he is leading a CALL/CAA trip to Indonesia in fall 2024.

Pricing

Pricing is still being finalized, but we are anticipating a tour cost in the $8,000–8,500 range. Travel insurance will be offered via TravelEx for an additional fee.

Calvin tours are open to any friends of CALL and the Calvin Alumni Association who wish to travel with us. Explore other Calvin-sponsored tours, too!

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