There's a story behind every medical student. Read about some of the inspiring journeys others have made from applicant to medical student to future physician.
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Alexander's journey is truly a windy one: starting off in a Bachelor of Arts before finding his passion (for now?) in pathology and microbiology. Danke schön for sharing!
From: Geraldton, WA
Previous Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Economics → Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences in Pathology and Microbiology
Expected year of graduation: 2023
Interested in: Infectious Diseases
What did you study before medicine?
This is a complicated one since I changed around frequently before I finally found my passion.
I entered UWA studying a Bachelor of Arts, with majors in politics and economics with grand dreams of law and public office. Economics lasted about one year before it was banished to the Shadow Realm in favour of philosophy, which had a fantastic time-travel unit (10/10 would recommend).
Following an experience in jury duty, I decided that I didn’t wish to pursue law, however, fortuitously I had been volunteering with St John Ambulance and I was very interested in health sciences.
Thus, I enrolled in a BSci which eventually became a BBiomedSci studying pathology, picking up microbiology as a second major along the way and never looked back.
What do you do when you’re not studying?
Try to enjoy the sights of the beautiful South West.
I’ve also been learning guitar, maintaining my German streak on Duolingo (Ich jetzt spreche ein bisschen Deustch), reading Dune (albeit very slowly), and cooking up a storm.
Journey to Medicine is an initiative by WAMSS to share medical students' personal stories about their journey into medicine, as well as their colourful lives outside of medicine.
For many of us, the journey to studying medicine isn't linear. The goal is to inspire and empower students who are thinking about pursuing a career in medicine.
Read more of our other stories:
This week we have Gaby, who’s story shows us that you can still maintain a life outside of medicine, adventuring, mountaineering, and being that ‘crazy horse girl’…
Sim has been travelling in parallel with the medical field: in bioengineering, cancer genetics, and heart regeneration research. Even after such diverse opportunities, she decided that it was time to revisit her interest in medicine.
Nathan’s journey started with a rush! 14 days before the start of the semester while relaxing in the Texas sun, his offer letter for UWA came in…
This week we have Adian Izwan, who has a love of dogs and big cats, which has somehow taken him to South Africa as part of his previous studies…
Shondell’s story is truly an inspirational one, coming from the northern beaches of Exmouth, to having her medical degree interrupted by a life-changing surgery.
With a previous life of working 40 hours as a software engineer not enough to satisfy his curiosity, Sam made the huge leap of quitting his job and embarking on his journey to medicine.
Caitlin’s experiences from the labs of Barry Marshall to the depths of the swimming pool have equipped her with a toolbox of skills to adapt and thrive in different medical environments.
Brendan is a mature-aged student who has really gone through the journey of academia, from completing a science degree, to a PhD, then becoming a teacher, and now finally graduating as a doctor! Learn more about his story and why he wants to pursue a career in Paediatric endocrinology in his feature.
Alexander’s journey is truly a windy one: starting off in a Bachelor of Arts before finding his passion (for now?) in pathology and microbiology. Danke schön for sharing!
For our first ever feature, we have Ella Forkin sharing her story about moving from Kalgoorlie to being actively involved in college, and now spending her time adventuring in Kununurra.