Agape Room: Invisible Classroom of EAST

 

The “Invisible Classroom” of EAST: Learning Through Friendship

Some of the most formative lessons at EAST take place outside the classroom. Elijah, an MDiv Teaching and Exposition graduate from East Asia, remembers sitting in the student lounge with eight other students as they shared how God had led each of them to EAST. He was amazed that people from so many places had been gathered for one common purpose: to be trained for God’s work.

Anne, also from East Asia, treasures the ordinary moments in the women’s living quarters—cooking, eating and making small talk. These experiences helped her grow relationally and emotionally, teaching her to serve others with openness and humility.
Students affectionately call the lounge the Agape Room.

Henry Aung describes it as a “survival room” where students laugh, shed tears, discuss assignments and take quick naps. Elijah calls it EAST’s “invisible class.” In this small space, students exchange stories about family, childhood and hope. Their cultures may differ, but their experiences of God’s grace often prove wonderfully universal.

This current Agape Room at Joo Chiat was first set-up by Mrs Josephine Li (a PIM Faculty) who had a degree in Interior Design. Also, the name “Agape Room” has been inherited from the previous student-staff lounge that used to be on the third level of Dorset Road where previous batches of EAST students used to gather. Currently, the Student Council would take charge of the maintenance and design of this special “Invisible Classroom” where lifelong friendships are often formed and many birthdays celebrated.

Many meals are shared and students take the initiative to clean it up weekly so that it is a comfortable space for everyone to use.  This Invisible Classroom, Survival Room or affectionately called Agape Room through the decades is undeniably a favourite room of many EAST students both past and present, whether they were from the Dorset campus or current Joo Chiat campus. As someone has said, “It is where the magic happens.”

Adapted from EAST’s 32nd Commencement Magazine.

For more information about EAST program of studies and student applications, please visit the Admissions page or email admissions [at] east.edu.sg.