Last week, the International Class officially started at Driestar Christian University for Teacher Education. We are pleased to welcome students from Nepal, South Korea, Indonesia, Hungary and Ukraine, who will spend the coming months learning alongside our fourth-year teacher education students.
We started our introduction week withprayer and singing, lectures on Christian education, presentations on the students’ different countries and cultures, and lots of opportunities for fellowship.
A central aim of the International Class is to reflect on and contribute to the development of Christian education across different contexts. Students explore the foundations of Christian pedagogy, engaging with thinkers such as Augustine, Bavinck and Waterink, while also considering what their ideas mean for education today.
The programme connects these theoretical perspectives with classroom practice. Students reflect on what it means to be a Christian teacher and discuss themes such as the relationship between teachers and pupils, authority, knowledge and stewardship. They also consider how faith and a biblical worldview shape their identity and practice as educators.
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Intercultural learning is an essential part of this process. By bringing together students from different countries and educational contexts, the International Class creates space to learn from one another and to consider how Christian education can be strengthened and developed in diverse settings. Alongside the academic programme, the international students gain practical experience through placements at schools in the Netherlands.
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Through this combination of study, practice and international exchange, we hope to contribute to the continuing development of Christian education and the formation of teachers who are equipped to serve in their own educational contexts.
