International Students (FOCUS)
Welcome!
Hello! We are so excited you have come to study in Australia.
University is a great time to meet new people and ask deep questions. ‘Why am I here?’ ‘Why is there suffering in the world?’ You don’t have to ask these questions alone. We want to give you a place to connect with others and explore the meaning of life together.
FOCUS is our group specifically for international students. FOCUS is short for the Fellowship of Overseas Christian University Students. Whatever your country, culture, religion or language, you are welcome, and we’d love to meet you.
When? Thursdays 6:30pm during semester
Where? Megaflex 1 on the City Campus.
Check Instagram for weekly updates on meeeting locations.
Get Connected
Heading to uni?
Starting university is an opportunity for new experiences, new challenges, and new friends! Whether you’re a committed Christian or just curious, FOCUS is a place where you will be known, supported, and invited to belong. You don’t have to do uni, or faith, alone.
What Is OUR GROUP FOR?
AFES groups exist to equip students to know Jesus and make him known on campus.
They’re a place to explore life’s big questions, grow through the Bible and prayer, and be trained to live and speak for Jesus at university. Whether you’re investigating Christianity or seeking to grow as a disciple, AFES offers a community that walks alongside you during your uni years.
Throughout the year we meet for Bible studies, camps, and social time together. Some students come occasionally, others get involved more deeply or serve in leadership. Whatever your capacity, you’re welcome!
Starting Uni Well
Looking for tips and tricks on how to start uni well? Our top advice is to meet your local AFES group! That way, you can make friends, be welcomed into a warm community and find the best places on campus.
Get ConnectedCommon Questions
Yes! FOCUS is part of RMIT CU, and is affiliated with the Student Union as an official group.
You’re very welcome to come – regardless of your experience of church (or if you have no experience of church!). RMIT CU is a place to make friends and discover more about Jesus.
FOCUS is not trying to replace church. We bring Christian community and the Bible into the place where students spend much of their time — uni.
FOCUS helps you think through what following Jesus looks like in lectures, friendships, and everyday student life. It’s also a natural place to invite classmates to explore Christianity in a familiar setting, alongside your involvement in a local church.
Our group is part of AFES, the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students, a national community of students discovering Jesus together. All AFES groups across Australia stand in the same grace of God, the same gospel of Christ. Being part of this wider community means we’re connected to other campus groups, supported by experienced staff, and able to be part of something bigger than ourselves.
We understand the pressures on uni students – exams, assignments, work, and more. It can be hard. We don’t want to overload your schedule, but we really do want you to make the most of your time at uni by exploring faith together with us. We run several events a week, on different days and times – some in the day, some in the evening. Just start off small. Perhaps there is just one event that you can make it to?
There are also opportunities to connect outside of semesters, including our midyear camp in July, and NTE (our National Training Event) in December. 🙂
Totally valid question. There’s an increased awareness of questionable sects operating on university campuses. At RMIT CU, we’re never okay with manipulating or coercing people. We strive for transparency: we openly name our beliefs, affiliations and leaders, and are associated with the RMIT Student Union.
ANYTHING