History of our Partnership with Poland
Since 2017, Indiana and Illinois InterVarsity has partnered with ChSA (Chrześcijańskie Stowarzyszenie Akademickie), the Polish Student Movement. Since then we have sent multiple teams to partner with ChSA, in various cities (Warsaw, Katowice, Szczecin, Biała Podlaska, Bydgoszcz, Wrocław and Gdańsk).
ChSA has officially existed for over 35 years, although it began in the 1970s despite restrictions imposed by the communist regime. It creates a platform to share passions, ideas, and the joy of the good news in a university context. By fostering Christian values, ChSA wants to point to God, without imposing theologies or belief systems. ChSA students are enthusiastic about building personal relationships and sharing the testimony of their everyday lives. ChSA is one of a few organizations in Poland that welcomes people from various denominations, churches and Christian backgrounds.
Spring Break
The Poland Spring Break trip is a week-long trip to help the Polish movement with campus outreach in the city of Białystok. Students will assist ChSA staff with different campus outreach events - from Proxe stations during the day, to game nights in the evenings.
This outreach really helps ChSA staff get connected to Polish students and have conversations about the gospel. Two of their new staff got connected through outreach done on a Spring Break trip! Students also get to learn cross-cultural skills and get a bigger picture of what God is doing in other countries.
Questions? Want more info?
Talk to your staff or contact Robert Burdett:
(708)-269-1552, robert.burdett@intervarsity.org
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Deadline to apply: December 18th, 2026
Who?
Students who:
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Are willing to learn and want to experience another culture and IFES movement.
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Can commit to the whole program, including the Orientation times and fundraising
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Want to grow their relationship with the Lord and are open to challenging themselves to take risks for the Gospel.
When?
March 12-21, 2027
Dates may be subject to change.
How Much?
$2,850
Cost is subject to change due to international airfare and travel costs. Cost covers international departure and return flights from Chicago, travel inside Poland, room and board, and other on-site costs. Cost DOES NOT cover travel to departure city, passports or immunizations or personal spending money.
Summer Leadership Institute
Deadline to apply: February 21st, 2027
The Poland Leadership Institute will focus on developing
the next generation of Christian leaders by bringing together InterVarsity and ChSA student leaders for an intensive leadership training program. Participants will travel to Poland, where they will receive leadership training, learn alongside one another in a cross-cultural setting, and partner with the Polish movement to help lead its summer camp.
Our goal is to engage deeply with Scripture, build a strong foundation of Christlike character, cultivate spiritual practices that sustain a lifetime of faithful leadership, and equip students with the skills, vision, and confidence to disciple others and lead with wisdom and humility.
Questions? Want more info?
Talk to your staff or contact Chris Swiney:
(217) 898-2383, chris.swiney@intervarsity.org
Who?
Students who:
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Are eager to learn and grow
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Desire to immerse themselves in another culture and engage with an IFES movement
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Want to deepen their relationship with the Lord
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Are current or emerging leaders who are committed to developing their leadership skills
When?
July 1 - July 24
July 1-4: Arrive in Poland & begin orientation
July 5-8: Leadership Training with Polish students
July 9-11: Retreat with ChSA
July 12-16: Helping ChSA run their English Camp for high school students
July 17-23: Continued Leadership Training
Dates may be subject to change.
How Much?
Approximately $3,975 per student
Cost is subject to change due to international airfare and travel costs. Cost covers international departure and return flights from Chicago, travel inside Poland, room and board, and other on-site costs. Cost DOES NOT cover travel to departure city, passports or immunizations or personal spending money.
"Before your visit, the idea of a student evangelistic week where over 100 people would eagerly talk about the gospel, 80 would join for board games, and 25 new people would visit a church building — that simply hadn’t happened for a very long time.
Most students we work with had come to believe such a thing was impossible in Poland."
- Maciej, the General Secretary of ChSA
FAQ
Do I need to speak Polish?
No! Most Polish students speak some English and are eager to talk with native English speakers. If you do speak Polish obviously that is a huge plus! We will try and learn a few words and phrases before we go - people appreciate any effort we make to learn their language, and culture.
I can't pay for the trip - are there fundraising resources?
We will give you a manual with some fundraising tips, and will help with training in raising funds. There might be limited scholarship help available for the summer trip. Usually students are able to raise what is needed for Spring Break Trips.
How do I apply?
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For the Spring Break trip: fill out this application form.
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For the Summer Program: fill out this application form.
Can I apply if I'm not an InterVarsity leader?
Both trips are for InterVarsity students in Indiana and Illinois. Any InterVarsity student is welcome to apply for the Spring Break Trip (with their staffworker's recommendation). The summer trip is for leaders only (current or future Exec Members, Student Interns, Small Group Leaders).
What's the deadline to apply?
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For the Spring Break Trip: Friday, December 18th, 2026
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For the Summer Program: Sunday, February 21st, 2027
What does the application involve?
Both the Spring Break and Summer Program applications will ask for the following information:
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Your Basic Information
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Questions about your Personal Calling and Spiritual Life
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Questions about your Ministry Experience and Involvement
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Requested Accommodations and Insurance
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Contact information for 1 reference (your InterVarsity Staff/Spiritual Leader)
You do NOT have the option to save the application and come back later. You may want to copy the essay questions and write them out in another document first before sitting down to complete the entire application. The references you enter will receive an email with a reference form to fill out on your behalf--make sure the emails are correctly typed!
Contact Us
Got questions? We can help! Use this email form to get in touch with a staff and you'll hear back shortly. In the meantime, have you checked out the FAQ? You may find your answer there!
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