Students
A Season to Learn, Grow & Be Equipped
Our programme is a full-time commitment - not simply a course of study, but a season of learning, serving and growing together in community.
The pace can be demanding and there will be times when it is tough. That is intentional - not because we want to overwhelm you, but because we want to help develop resilient cross-cultural workers who are equipped to persevere, adapt, serve and flourish in challenging contexts. In addition to class time, time for daily duties and an afternoon of practical work need to be planned in, alongside preparation and attending local ministry activities as a part of the course programme.
We recognise that for domestic students especially, there can be many good opportunities and commitments outside college. However, during your time with us, we encourage you to consider what you may need to say "no" to for a season, so that you can be fully present and engaged in the programme. Our encouragement is to start with fewer outside commitments and add things back in if you discover you genuinely have the capacity.
Come ready to learn all you can, participate fully in community, and make the most of this unique season of preparation.
It is a season. Give yourself fully to it. Grow through it. Be equipped for what comes next.
Multicultural Teams
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. Our on-site accommodation currently consists of 21 units, each unit is either two, three, or four-bedrooms and has a self-contained bathroom, kitchen, and living space. See our campus page for full details.
Please note: International students are required to live on the campus in student accommodation provided.
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.
Day Students
With the advantage of being on site for lectures most days, our expectation is that all day students share morning teas and lunchtimes in the dining room*. In this way, they experience the same interaction and advantages of cross-cultural communication as our residential students.
*And afternoon teas when on prac duty (Monday or Friday).
Shared Practical Duties
To promote the development of a servant attitude – an essential to any mission service – students at Eastwest do an afternoon of practical work and a daily duty to assist with the college’s community lifestyle. The tasks include cooking, cleaning, preparing food, painting, gardening, lawn-mowing, carpentry, and more!
Fitness and 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. A previous student even used the time here to train for his first ever marathon in Auckland!
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, cafe, farm produce shop, and beauty parlour. There is also the local Gordonton Primary School 1km from the college and a small but well-stocked grocery store as well as a shop selling work by local artists. 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 our ongoing walk with God. 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. Once you get to college you will see a list of churches on the noticeboard.
Moodle
Moodle is where our students interact with material from class
Library
We have an extensive collection of books and resources available
Forms
Find any digital or printable forms which you may need to fill out
Stories
Reflections and testimonials from students
Shop
Use the Digitees service to purchase Eastwest-branded merch