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General InformationWhat happens when we travelThe Reef to Outback DTS is a mobile school that travels throughout different parts of Australia and Asia/Pacific for a 5 1/2 month period. Your lectures will be primarily held in Townsville over three phases with the outreaches integrated enabling a great degree of flexibility and learning opportunity. You will receive practical teaching followed by opportunities to apply what you have learnt, establishing a balanced understanding of evangelism and an opportunity to experience first-hand the transforming power of God working in the lives of the people to whom you minister.
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Who are the teachers?Teaching is provided mainly by visiting lecturers and resident staff from different parts of the world. Video tapes of some teachings are also used. ClimateThe climate will vary from a dry heat in the day and cold at night in the outback of Australia, to humid conditions along the coast and Asia. See the graph below for an idea about the average temperatures in Townsville throughout the year.  LocationReef to Outback - is based out of Townsville, Nth. Queensland. We will begin our DTS training program in Townsville. Townsville is about 1500 kms north of Brisbane and 400 kms south of Cairns. Townsville is a city of 130,000 people.
 AccommodationWe live as a community with people of various nations, cultures, denominations and seek as much as possible to preserve a family atmosphere. Our lifestyle is simple. Students will either share a room, live in a dormitory or depending on the phase of the school, a tent. Married couples will have one room or a tent; we will try to provide as much comfort and privacy as we are able to. Mail can be sent to this address for the duration of the school and will be forwarded onto you:
[ Student Name ]
Reef to Outback DTS, PhoneFriends and relatives can reach you by telephone or fax but due to the nature of the school phone access will be limited at times. Please note that students will not be interrupted during lectures for phone calls unless it is an emergency. When travelling other contact numbers will be given out as available.
Telephone (From outside Australia) : 61 7 47 712 123 Calling cards billed to your home address are one of the cheapest ways to make international phone calls while in Australia and overseas. E-Mail - limited availabilityA computer for e-mail services is available to students for limited periods of time. Please advise family and friends to put your name in the subject line when sending your e-mail. Access to hotmail accounts and searching the web will not be available.
Luggage and storagePlease limit your luggage to what you can carry at one time by yourself. You will find that you can get by on very little and extra luggage can be a hindrance. We suggest one piece of hand baggage and a backpack (or alternatively one large or two medium suitcases). Please include your sleeping bag and a small two man tent as part of your luggage.
BeddingBecause of the travel, you will need to bring a sleeping bag, sheets, pillowcase, pillow and air mattress. LaundryThere will be facilities available for you to do your laundry in most locations. In Townsville we have free facilities for your laundry but while you travel the costs will vary depending on where we are. You will need to provide your own washing powder / detergent. (during outreach, there may be only hand washing facilities.) PhotosWe like to acquaint our staff with each one of you and will post your name and picture on a welcome board a few days before you arrive. This also helps us identify you if we need to pick you up on your arrival at the airport or bus terminal. You may require other passport photos while travelling on outreach overseas. Please bring extra photos. Study Items and TextbooksPlease see "packing hints". You will be required to take notes during lectures. In addition, there will be book reports and other study assignments. There will be some required reading. These textbooks will be provided. These are available for purchase if you would like to keep the books to take home. Australian VoltageOverseas students please note that voltage for electrical appliances is 240 AC current. Therefore, you will need a converter (they can be purchased in Australia) if you bring electrical appliances eg CD players, hair dryers etc. |
Visas and Insurance Medical Insurance: Overseas Students (except NZ)All overseas staff and students are required by the Australian Government to be insured medically for the duration of their time here. You will need to arrange that yourself in your own country before coming.
1) that your insurance will return you to your home country, or to a European Hospital from anywhere in the world, should you be ill or injured.
Passports: Australian CitizensBe prepared to have a valid passport as your school will require travel into foreign countries. You can obtain a passport application from your local Post Office. After you have completed the application and delivered it to the right authorities, it may take 4-6 weeks for your passport to be completed and returned to you. Do not delay on this. Please begin this process NOW if you do not have a passport prior to the beginning of the DTS or if your passport is valid for only 6 months. Passports: Overseas Students (all)Please ensure that your passport does not have an expiry date within the next year. If you are planning to join staff or go on to further training in YWAM Australia then your passport needs to have an even longer "lease of life" (expiry date not within the next two years). Visas: Overseas Citizens (except NZ)Information concerning the application procedure for obtaining a visa to enter Australia will be posted to you once you have been accepted on to the school.
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Health Requirements
Immunisations and TabletsEver heard of Denge Fever, Onchocerciasis, Filariasis, Leishmaniasis? Well, you mightnt catch these, but we do have to be careful.
Other Handy Medical Hints
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If you are from overseas, it may be difficult to find the same medication as the one you already have. To save this hassle, bring what you need for the full 6 months. Ask your doctor to write you a letter authorising the medication to you, and for what purpose. If you are caught with drugs in some countries in Asia - the death penalty applies! Other general medical aids can be obtained in Townsville as you need them.
What to BringItems needed for the DTS(you can either bring it with you or buy it when you get here): Address book, Bible, pen & notebook, Stationery, Toiletries Sleeping bag, Sheets, pillow & pillowcase, Towel Air mattress, Tent (1or 2 man if you have one), Flashlight / torch Plastic plate, bowl & cup and cutlery (with carry bag), Clothes line (portable) & clothes pegs Personal canteen / water bottle, Mosquito repellent and net (net optional), Sunblock / sunscreen What clothes should I bring?
Casual wear - modest shorts, T-shirts, trousers or jeans, dresses or skirts etc. Optional:
Medication / First Aid, Vitamins |
School Policies
RelationshipsThe DTS is a very special time for you, a time where you can focus on God and build excellent friendships with both sexes that will last not only for 5 1/2 months but a lifetime. We all come from various backgrounds and cultures and have different needs and ideas of what relationships are. To remain focused through the duration of the DTS we ask that no "boyfriend/girlfriend" relationships be developed within the school. We find that students are able to relax and enjoy in an environment that often restores a good foundation in how to have Godly friendships. This six months is like no other and the training is a great investment for you to make and will assist you through the rest of your life. AlcoholThis is an area that can create much controversy amongst different people and we have found that some people come from backgrounds where alcohol was abused. During the course of this school, we will be ministering amongst a variety of different denominations, and to people with all sorts of different opinions. Therefore, we request that you refrain from drinking alcohol during the Discipleship Training School so that we don't stumble our brother or sister. ClothingWe each have our personal likes and dislikes in the things we prefer to wear. Once again there are cultural differences in the standards on what is 'modest' and what is not when it comes to our clothing. Because we live in a mixed community and will be ministering in various churches and cultures during the school, a high standard of modesty is required.
DrugsIf you are taking medication prescribed by a doctor, please bring the prescription with you. The taking of illegal drugs will result in students being asked to leave the school. SmokingThis is another area that can create controversy. YWAM has a no smoking policy on all YWAM property. During the course of the school, we will be ministering amongst a variety of different denominations, and in different cultures amongst people with all sorts of opinions. Therefore during the outreach phase of the school smoking is prohibited. |
As people come into a DTS from a variety of different cultures and backgrounds, certain things are more acceptable culturally to some people than others. Also, there may be people who come to the DTS that are from damaged backgrounds and in the process of restoration - and we need to be sensitive to their needs. For this reason, we have some general policies here at Reef to Outback that we implement during the DTS for the benefit of all students on the program. If you have any questions or concerns about these policies, please do not hesitate to contact us
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