ready for a change?

YWAM EA runs two Discipleship Training Schools, DTS, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia every year. Multiple tracks run in September and March annually. Sign up today. 

We encourage you to pray and go forward with confidence. We love our YWAM family of ministries. There are so many great schools. Do you want to stay in your country or go somewhere different? Do you love a certain type of food? We also encourage you to reach out and begin communications so that you can ask questions and get a feel for the location. Maybe you want to come for a Gap year.

You must have a genuine desire to know God and grow in your relationship with Jesus. We are a full immersion program so we ask that all participants join us for the whole experience. You must apply and send in your references. We encourage our students to be 17+ years old and to have graduated from high school. 

Costs can vary depending on the location, but our DTS is among the most affordable.

• Lecture Phase: USD 2,000

• Outreach Phase: USD 2,200 (includes flights and food) doesn’t include visas (if needed) and free day food.

We’re committed to keeping costs low while providing a high-quality, life-changing experience.

This is a great question. It’s possible to do both, one after the other. There is no exact right answer. Some people will benefit from first doing college and then doing a DTS and seeing what the Lord has in store for the future. Others will enjoy doing a DTS before university as it can be a great foundation for all that’s ahead.

All DTS schools cover the same material and will have a 11/12 week lecture phase and an 8-12 week outreach. The difference of a DTS with a focus is that it will attract people that have similar interests. There will be some extra activities that would be for that focus.

Do YWAM if you want to experience God in a practical way, apply not just theology but grow in character and share Him with others. We are called by God to know God and make Him known. YWAM is one tool that God uses and it’s a privilege to serve Him!

You will for sure travel through Asia for your outreach. Our recent outreach locations have been to places like Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, India, Phillippines, Cambodia and more.

This will depend on your personal needs and lifestyle. You choose what you want to eat for lunch. You can grab a bowl of noodles or a burger. Prices are around 9-20rm a meal (about 2-4 USD). Weekend meals you sort out. Often people like to go out for a movie or to explore. In that case, you may want about 20 USD for a fun day out. 

Yes, we’d love to welcome your parents if they’d like to visit! Since DTS has a full and busy schedule, it’s best to coordinate with the course leader to find a suitable time. Often, the best opportunity is toward the end of the school—when they can see what you’ve been part of, attend any final events, and possibly travel with you afterward.

If space is available, your parents are welcome to stay on base with us. Otherwise, there are several nearby hotels and guesthouses that offer comfortable and affordable options.

We have you covered and will send you a packing list. Usually we ask people to bring one normal bag (it’s generally recommended to bring one larger luggage piece) and a smaller one for outreach. The outreach luggage allowance is about 7kg so ideally you want a light backpack. You can bring a sleeping bag for outreach or buy one here at Decathlon. 

Malaysia is in Southeast Asia! It’s a tropical, safe, diverse, and interesting country where you can speak English!  Kuala Lumpur is the capital city. It’s the gateway of Asia! It’s next to Indonesia, Thailand, etc.

We are from all over! We are a mix of many nationalities and ages (DTS students are usually 18 – 25 years old). There are exceptions on both ends of the scale. 

Kuala Lumpur has a tropical climate and is warm year-round. The average high in September is 31°C (88°F) while the average low is 23°C (73°F ). In March the average high is 33°C (92°F) while the average low is 24°C (75°F). Kuala Lumpur is hot and humid throughout the year, temperatures range from 22ºC to 32ºC year round and with a tropical climate, showers occur almost daily.

There are various phone plans. Malaysia has inexpensive mobile plans. You can get a regular sim card with unlimited data for about 40 myr (8.50 USD) a month if you have an unlocked phone. Some people use an esim, others keep their international plans. You can see what works best for you. 

Every DTS’s lecture phase comprises the same core parts and takes place within a live-learn environment. Daily activities include corporate prayer, lectures, meal times, and times of serving (work duties). Each week you will join the rest of the students and staff in worship, intercession (prayer), and Friday fun nites. You will also be a part of a small group and bible study, participate in community outreach, spend time preparing for outreach, and receive one-on-one mentoring from one of your leaders. You will get to engage in our ministries and once a week engage with the DTS track. It’s a full schedule with morning activities, some chill time in the afternoon and evening activities. Usually weekends are free.

Yes! While DTS is a full and focused season, there is definitely free time built into your week. Free time is scattered throughout the schedule — typically in the afternoons and some weekends. Most weekends are free for you to rest, process the week, hang out with others, or explore Kuala Lumpur’s incredible food, culture, and attractions.

Where you’ll be staying, there are many places to explore,cozy cafes just around the corner and plenty to enjoy during your downtime. Although mornings and evenings are usually filled with teaching, worship, or team activities, the in-between moments are yours to use well — to recharge, reflect, and make the most of your DTS experience.

During the Lecture Phase, every student chooses one track—Adventure, Media, Living Waters, etc. Tracks run alongside the main DTS teachings and provide focused activities or training based on your interests. Adventure has an extra fee; Media and Living Waters are included at no additional cost. The tracks happen on a Tuesday afternoon. Sometimes the adventure track activities will happen on a Saturday if extra travel is needed. 

All classes are held all together. 

The Adventure Track includes activities from this list: paragliding, white water rafting, paddleboarding, jungle hiking, waterfall day, paintball, ropes course, abseiling, camping, pickleball, and more. These activities are designed to build teamwork, resilience, and faith in action.

You can wear your normal CUTE clothes—no need to buy a whole new wardrobe or come in super baggy clothes. We just ask that you keep it modest and respectful:

• General Guidelines: For the girls, please avoid cleavage, tank tops, or “short shorts.” A good rule of thumb for shorts is the fingertip rule: they should reach the ends of your fingers when your arms are resting at your sides.

• Ministry Engagement: When we are out serving in the community or on ministry assignments, you will need to wear  long trousers (pants)

• Here are some examples of our guys that are feeling and looking good!

While your tuition covers housing, plus breakfast and dinner (Monday–Friday), you should budget separately for:

• Daily Lunches: You are responsible for your own lunch every day.

• Weekend Meals: All meals on Saturdays and Sundays are your responsibility.

• Specific Free Days: * In the Lecture phase: There are roughly three “Free Friday” nites during the school where you’ll sort your own dinner (a great time to go out with the group!).

  • On Outreach: You’ll typically get one free day per week where you handle your own food and cafe visits.

• Outreach Visas: If your outreach location requires a visa, you will need to cover this cost.

• Travel & Medical: * Round-trip travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

  • Personal medical insurance and any vaccinations recommended by your doctor.

• Personal Spending: Laundry, snacks, toiletries, and any souvenirs or extra activities.

We don’t have a mandatory list for everyone, as we prefer that you follow what your doctor recommends.

• Check with a Professional: We suggest visiting a travel clinic or your GP at least 6–8 weeks before you arrive. Tell them you will be based in Kuala Lumpur and may be traveling within Southeast Asia for outreach.

• If you are already vaccinated: Please bring a digital or physical copy of your vaccination records. This is helpful for your own medical history,

• Common Suggestions: Most doctors generally recommend being up-to-date on routine shots (like Tetanus & Rabies) and often suggest Hepatitis A & B and Typhoid for this region.