Lara Corsini

Bonded Medical Program

Tell us about your pathway to studying medicine.

I grew up in Wangaratta, with our family farm based in King Valley, so moving to Melbourne to study medicine was definitely a big change. I hadn’t considered Medicine as an option until my own GP suggested it to me in year 12. From there, I began to look into it and it slowly started to feel like the right path for me.

Coming from a rural background also meant I had insight into the challenges people from rural communities face accessing healthcare, especially seeing family members travel long distances for specialist appointments. That shaped my perspective and ultimately drew me towards medicine where I could hopefully give back to communities like the one I grew up in.

I applied during year 12 and started medicine at Monash the following year.

Why did you choose to study medicine at Monash? 

I chose to study medicine at Monash because of its strong focus on clinical learning and links to rural and regional Victoria. The opportunity to complete placement in regional Victoria and learn within smaller communities really stood out to me. As a rural origin student, I also like that Monash genuinely values students with a desire to return to regional communities in the future. It felt like a place where I could both challenge myself, and still stay connected to the parts of medicine I’m most passionate about.

Don’t let growing up rurally make you feel like medicine is out of reach. I think a lot of rural students can feel like everyone else somehow knows more than them or belongs there more, but a rural background can be a considerable strength."

Where have you completed your placements so far? What have been some of the highlights of these?

So far I’ve completed both my third and fourth year in Bendigo, with an upcoming GP placement in Maryborough. One of the biggest highlights of rural placement has been how included students are within the team from day one. You’re given the opportunity to contribute to the team rather than just observe, which has been incredibly valuable. You’re given the opportunity to be involved in ward jobs and clinical skills, scrub into surgeries, and learn alongside doctors with a genuine passion for teaching. Rural placements also tend to offer a broader scope of experience, so no two days are ever the same.

What other activities or opportunities have been involved with as a Monash medical student?

I’ve been involved as a peer mentor for first and second year medical students, which has been really rewarding. Starting medicine can feel overwhelming, especially moving away from home, so I’ve loved being able to support newer students through that transition. I’ve also taken on student representative roles liaising with the hospital regarding placement experiences and student wellbeing.

Outside of medicine, I’ve always loved sport and community involvement - growing up in a rural town, community sport was such a big part of life and that’s something I still really value. I played in multiple netball teams at Monash, which was a great way to meet people from other courses.

What are your career aspirations?

My goal at this stage is to pursue a career as a rural generalist through the ACRRM pathway, which would allow me to train rurally as a GP with a specialisation in Emergency Medicine.

Long-term, I intend to return to regional Victoria. Having grown up in these areas, I’ve experienced how important it is to have doctors who are not only clinically capable but also genuinely invested in the community and understand the people they’re caring for.

What advice would you give a rural secondary student considering applying for medicine?

Don’t let growing up rurally make you feel like medicine is out of reach. I think a lot of rural students can feel like everyone else somehow knows more than them or belongs there more, but a rural background can be a considerable strength. It builds resilience, a strong work ethic, and the ability to connect with people from all walks of life - qualities that are incredibly valuable in medicine. It can feel daunting moving away from home to study, but if it’s something you’re passionate about, it’s worth committing to.