I still remember walking into the Future Doctors Australia program unsure if I belonged. I wasn’t from a private school, and I didn’t know any doctors personally. But that week changed everything. We had workshops that broke down the medical journey step-by-step, and I got to speak to real doctors and med students who had once stood exactly where I was.

What really lit a fire in me was learning about rural medicine and its impact—something I had never considered. That’s now the path I’m seriously thinking of pursuing. Thanks to FDA, I not only found direction but also the belief that I could do this. I’m now in my first year of medicine at Curtin, and I still keep in touch with two friends I met during that week.

I didn’t even know what paediatrics was before this. But after hearing a Dr. Bhurawala peak about his work with children and young people, I realised I love the idea of helping kids. It’s what I want to do now.

What stood out most was the session on postgraduate medical pathways. I had no idea how many graduate options existed, even overseas! This program gave me clarity and confidence to plan ahead.

The Q&A was also a highlight experience personally. The main highlight of the Q&A was the psychiatrist. This allowed me to further enhance my understanding of mental disorders. It also allowed me to get my questions answered without false information or judgment.

Aside from the professional speakers, I liked how this experience wasn’t heavily academic based. It allowed students like myself, who don't have a medical background, to not feel so isolated from people in comparison who have a medical family background.

Although I have zero complaints about this experience, personally, I wished that the communication workshop  wasn’t a whole day but spread across the days. This is due to the fact that we aren't practicing building confidence due to it all being compacted into a single day rather than over the time period of the course.

In summary, I really appreciate being given the opportunity to participate in this experience and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to pursue a career in medicine.

To Professor  T. Hugh,
I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for the amazing learning experience during the future doctors program. I’d like to thank you for sharing your experience of getting into medicine, which has given me the encouragement to not give up during the process. Your reasoning on why to not be obsessed with doing a specific field has also made me open my eyes and to not infatuate over a specific area of medicine. Once again, I thank you for your time and appreciate having the opportunity to listen to your advice.

To Dr. S. Bhattacharyya,

I would like to take this time to thank you for the experience of talking with you. I appreciate the response from my questions and helping me further understand the role of a psychiatrist and the different sections of how an illness or disorder is classed . You have given me the motivation to pursue psychiatry and helped me realize how interested I am in the field of psychiatry and studying the severity of mental illnesses and disorders. I thank you for your time and patience.

My son was unsure if medicine was right for him. Now, he’s motivated, focused and talks about his future like never before. I truly believe this program changed his path.

Before, I didn’t really know what you had to do to become a doctor. Now I understand UCAT, interviews, and all the steps. I feel ready.

I used to think only being a doctor mattered. But Future Doctors Australia showed me other careers like physio, radiography and paramedics. I still want to do medicine, but now I understand how many amazing jobs are out there too.

Before attending FDA, I only had a vague idea that I wanted to be a doctor. But after learning about different specialties and especially after listening to Dr. Gupta, I’m now determined to become a cardiothoracic surgeon. The insight from real doctors was eye-opening, and I’ve never been more driven to study hard and make this dream a reality.

As a young Aboriginal student, I didn’t think I could be a doctor because I did not think I would even get close to the required ATAR. Also, where I come from, there are not tutors to help with UCAT or anything. But so many details were clarified to me about applying as a First Nations applicant that I can really see it as a solid possibility now. This program made me proud and helped me believe I can help my community one day through medicine.

The mentors weren’t just informative—they were relatable. Seeing students who were just a few years ahead of us, already in med school, made it all feel possible. I now believe I can do it too.

I was getting lazy with school but this program reminded me why I want to do medicine. It made me excited again.

I am writing to you today to send a warm thank you to the organisers of Future Doctors Australia, I recently attended the Brisbane workshop and it was invaluable with experiences and preparing me for my medical journey ahead. I wanted to give a special thanks to Zobair, Ellen, Antoinette and Rebekah, who made this workshop run smoothly and thoroughly enjoyable. Without all of their help it wouldn't have been as valuable as it was, I will carry this experience for life and hope to one day give back to the organisation. I am sure many others there shared a similar sentiment as me as not only did I walk out with the experience of the workshop but also with new friendships that will hopefully stick with me for life.

The FDAP was truly an incredible yet educational experience into the world of medicine. I loved meeting and connecting with others with the same dreams, allowing me to create valuable friendships and memories. I especially enjoyed meeting and speaking to the specialists and medical students about their fields of study and pathway into medicine. I found the UCAT part of the program extremely helpful for me as I did not have any insight into it beforehand. I would like for there to be more information and help for the UCAT. Otherwise, this program was an amazing and wonderful experience.

To Professor T. Hugh,
Thank you for taking time out of your day to speak with us. Your session was extremely informative on the life of a doctor and your journey to where you are now was inspiring. It welcomed me to new opportunities available for me in medicine that I didn’t know were possible. Once again thank you.

To Dr. L. Chan,
hank you so much for taking time out of your day to come and speak with us. Beforehand, I was only slightly interested in the field of surgery as I was more invested in psychology but hearing your knowledge and experience in working as an ENT surgeon brought upon a newfound love for surgery. Thank you for your time again.

At first I was nervous to go. But everyone was so nice and I made heaps of friends. I’m way more confident now, not just in wanting to do medicine, but in talking to people too.

As a parent, I was incredibly impressed. The program helped my daughter understand not only the academic requirements of medicine, but also what it truly means to care for others. It was professional, inspiring and well-run.

This week helped me sort out all my thoughts. I used to feel confused about what to do after high school. I was simply going along and trying to do well in my studies. For a while, I found that it has been getting harder to stay focused without a clear target.  I sort of liked the idea of medicine, but coming from a business and law family I honestly did not know very much about it. Now I have a clearer plan.

The Future Doctors Australia program was more than a camp—it was the turning point in my life. I attended in Year 11, and until then, I had no idea what the UCAT was or how much preparation went into medical interviews. The mentors broke everything down in a way that made it achievable.

What stuck with me most was the career insights day. Hearing about specialisations like neurology and rural GP work helped me find what actually interested me beyond the ‘being a doctor’ dream. I left that program with a full plan—and a new mindset.

Fast forward a few years, I’m now a first-year med student at UQ and still use the note templates and study tips I picked up during the program. I honestly don’t think I’d be here without FDA.

I met my best friend at this program. We both felt out of place at our schools, but here we just clicked. Now we talk every day, and I don’t feel so alone anymore.

PS. I am not a wierdo! There are just not many students in my school who want to even consider university, let alone medicine. So it is a bit tough to be the only nerd in Year 10 😊

The  Future Doctors Program proved to be an enlightening and immersive experience, providing a comprehensive glimpse into the diverse fields within the medical profession. The program's well-structured curriculum and hands-on approach to learning allowed for a holistic understanding of various medical specialties. What particularly stood out was the opportunity to interact with seasoned professionals and experts in the field, fostering an enriching learning environment.

Meeting Dr. Alpa Gupta, a cardiologist, was a highlight of the program. Dr. Gupta's passion for cardiology and dedication to patient care were evident during her engaging presentation and subsequent Q&A session. Her insights into the challenges and rewards of a career in cardiology were invaluable, leaving a lasting impression on aspiring medical professionals.

Days 3 and 4 of the program consisted of sessions led by Professor Habib Bhurawala, a Pediatrician, and Professor Thomas Hugh, an Upper GI Surgeon. Their expertise and real-world experiences added immense value to the program, offering unique perspectives on their respective specialties. The presentations were not only informative but also inspiring, sparking interest and curiosity among participants.

On the final day, the program featured Dr. Lyndon Chan, an ENT Surgeon, and Dr. Subhra Bhattacharyya, a Psychiatrist, whose sessions were particularly intriguing. Dr. Chan's insights into the intricacies of ENT surgery provided a fascinating look into a specialized field, while Dr. Bhattacharyya's exploration of mental health and psychiatry opened up important discussions. The diverse range of specialties covered over the four days showcased the multifaceted nature of the medical profession and left participants with a profound appreciation for the vast opportunities within the field. Overall, the Sydney Future Doctors Program was a well-rounded and captivating experience, offering valuable insights and inspiration for those embarking on a medical career.