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Growing up in a multilingual family in Hong Kong, a deeply multilingual city, Chantale Van Tassel ’26 has long been fascinated by language. 

“Language has been a big part of my life, something I deeply love,” said Van Tassel. “I love picking it apart, the science of it. I also love writing.” 
 
As she finished high school, Van Tassel had a clear sense of what she wanted to study. Deciding where to pursue that calling, however, was far more complicated. As an international student applying to colleges during the pandemic, she had to make a life‑changing decision without visiting a single campus.

A sight unseen decision

“I never got to visit any of the campuses I was applying to,” she said. “That was probably the biggest risk.” 

To bridge the distance, Van Tassel did her research, participated in online chats and interviews, watched videos, and studied campus materials. One institution stood out. 

“The impression I got was that Calvin was very outward‑facing,” she said. “They paid attention to the rest of the world. Their mission and identity felt different than other places I was considering. It made me feel like I could join something global.”

Personal connections make the difference

Still, it wasn’t marketing alone that sealed her decision. It was personal connection. 

“The biggest thing is having personal interactions,” Van Tassel said. “That’s always the best indicator of what I’m getting myself into.” 

An email exchange with Jennifer Holberg, professor of English, left a lasting impression. 

“She showed a lot of care for me,” Van Tassel said. “That stood out from other places I was looking at.”

Perception matches reality

That sense of care was quickly confirmed once she arrived on campus. As a biracial international student, Van Tassel said settling in took time. But through professors who learned her story, friends who showed up, and communities where she could build real relationships, Calvin became a place of belonging. Now majoring in English with concentrations in writing and linguistics and Asian Studies with a Japanese language focus, she said she experienced that care as early as orientation.

What initially attracted her to Calvin soon revealed itself to be something deeper, an intentional community that consistently connected her interests with real opportunity. 

“Professors show such individual care for students,” she said. “My English professors are phenomenal. They’re intentional with every student.”

Connections lead to opportunities

She credits Professor Jane Zwart with helping her grow as a writer and believe in her work—support that later led to journal publications. Professor Debra Rienstra, her honors thesis advisor, has guided her closely through the writing process. 

“There’s been a lot of back and forth, sending drafts, meeting regularly,” Van Tassel said. “She’s been incredibly generous and patient with me.” 

Beyond the classroom, Van Tassel has worked in Hekman Library as a research assistant since her first year. That experience, combined with her writing skills, gave her the confidence to step into interdisciplinary research, including a project with Professor Tracy Kuperus examining politics and religion in Kenya.

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She’s also found community through serving as an act leader for Rangeela and through singing with Gospel Choir, Women’s Chorale, and Capella. This past spring break, she performed with choirs at Carnegie Hall in New York. 

“It was amazing,” she said. “Choir is definitely one of those special groups at Calvin. People from everywhere and every discipline come together to make music and form a really tight knit community.” 

Another defining experience came through Calvin’s . Two years ago, Van Tassel served on the student committee—a volunteer team that helps run the festival—and was assigned to work closely with an author, acting as their Calvin guide. That relationship unexpectedly became a key source for her honors thesis.

Ready for what’s next

Encouraged by her professors, she later stepped into a with the festival, a leadership position she has now held for two years. 

“I really enjoy this job because it includes a lot of different tasks and requires a wide skill set,” she said, noting how the work blends organization, creativity, and engagement with the literary world. 

Taken together, those experiences have reshaped how Van Tassel understands success and calling. Rather than narrowing her path, Calvin has helped her see the value of adaptability, faithfulness, and excellence in everyday work. 

“I can be a student to the glory of God,” she said. “I don’t have to be in a ministry position or work at a church to do that. Bringing my work to a standard of excellence, in itself, is a practice of faith.” 

Van Tassel is currently working on grad school applications with aspirations of working in higher ed someday.