Lifestyle ~ being part of a multi-cultural community

The reality for many Christian workers is that they will work in international teams. There are many books about living and working in multi-cultural teams and communities but there can be no substitute for actually living it day to day. The experience is amazing and the opportunity is here at Eastwest.

Accommodation

Eastwest College is a residential college. We currently have twelve two-bedroom and three-bedroom student units with more planned. Single students usually share a bedroom with another student of the same gender. Smaller families are generally accommodated in the units on the campus. Accommodation for larger families is limited on site and some families may have to be non-residential. All international students/ families are accommodated on campus

Meals

Residential students share lunch (Mon-Fri) and evening meals (Mon-Thurs) during term time with all other meals being their own responsibility. With a variety of cultures and dietary preferences students will always find something a little different to try and we encourage them to share something from their culture.

Shared practical duties

To promote the development of a servant attitude - an essential to any mission service - students at Eastwest do practical duties to assist with the college's community lifestyle. Duties include cooking, cleaning, preparing food, painting, gardening, lawn-mowing, carpentry, brick-laying and more!

Fitness / well-being

Studying is great for the mind but we know that physical fitness is an important part of healthy living. Our on-site gym offers free access to cardio equipment and weights. Some students also choose to go for a run in the surrounding countryside and one used the time here to train for his first ever marathon in Auckland which he completed last year.

Gordonton and beyond

Gordonton is a village on the outskirts of the city of Hamilton in the North Island of New Zealand. There are limited resources within walking distance of the college - fast food, hairdresser, coffee shop and beauty parlour. There is also the local Gordonton Primary School 1km from the college and a couple of garden shops.

Most students go into Hamilton for shopping, cinema etc. A college vehicle goes once a week to a large shopping centre (15 minutes drive from the college) for a couple of hours. This is especially helpful for students without cars. Many students however, (including international students) choose to have their own car and there are local car auctions where these can be bought.

Church

Commitment to a local fellowship is expected of every student as this is important to ongoing discipleship. There are two churches in Gordonton - Presbyterian and Anglican. In Hamilton there are many, many more and a wide variety of worship styles and ministry emphases.