International Students (FOCUS)
Welcome!
Hey there! We’re so excited you’ve 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.
Bendigo Christian Union (CU) gives you a place to connect with others and explore the meaning of life together.
CU is looking to start a community for international students, called “FOCUS” – short for the Fellowship of Overseas Christian University Students. Whatever your country, culture, religion or language, all are welcome, and we’d love to meet you.
Get Connected
Heading to uni?
New doors open when you start uni – new experiences, new challenges, new friends, and even a new country! Whether you’re a committed Christian or just curious, CU is a community 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?
Church is a great place to learn about Jesus. It’s a critical part of spiritual growth for all Christians, whatever their life stage. So what’s the point of a Christian uni group?
Bendigo Christian Union (CU) equips students to know Jesus and make him known on campus.
For those who don’t know Jesus, we’re a space to explore the meaning of life and ask hard questions. And for Christians, it’s an amazing training ground for learning and discipleship. You’ll dive deep into the Bible, pray for each other, and gain confidence to tell people about Jesus. Wherever you’re at, CU is a community to walk alongside you at university.
Throughout the year, we run Bible studies, mid-semester camps, and plenty of time to hang out together.
Some students choose just to attend occasionally. Others join several events per week, and some serve in leadership positions. Whatever your capacity, you’re welcome to come along.
Starting Uni Well
Looking for tips and tricks on how to start uni well? Our top advice is to join CU! That way, you can make friends, be welcomed into a warm community – and learn where the best coffee on campus is.
Get ConnectedCommon Questions
Yes! FOCUS will be a part of Bendigo Christian Union, and is affiliated with Latrobe Clubs as an official group.
You’re very welcome to come – regardless of your experience of church (or if you have no experience of church!). Bendigo 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 Bendigo 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 Bendigo Student Union.
ANYTHING