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Thinking about doing a rural health placement but not sure it’s your thing? You’re not the only one.
Plenty of students start out wondering the same stuff: Will I get enough hands-on experience? Will I feel cut off from family and friends? Isn’t Kalgoorlie just a mining town with not much happening?
Here’s the thing: most of those worries don’t actually line up with the placement experience. We chatted with our students who’ve done placements in Kalgoorlie through the Goldfields University Department of Rural Health (GUDRH), to bust some of the common myths around undertaking your placement rurally.
Myth 1: There aren’t many learning opportunities in rural areas.
Students consistently say Kalgoorlie offers a wider scope of experience than they had ever expected, from unique clinical cases to more hands-on learning.
Instead of standing on the sidelines, students often find themselves working directly with patients, developing new clinical skills and feeling like a genuine part of the team. One student even said they’d jumped at the chance to do paediatrics in Kalgoorlie because it combined their career interests with a rural experience they couldn’t get in the city.
And it’s not just about the hospital or clinic. Students also talk about forming lasting friendships with colleagues and fellow students, the kind that come from sharing both work and adventures.
Myth 2: You’ll feel isolated.
Many students discover that going rural actually means connecting more deeply; both with others and with the place itself.
Some describe completing their placement in the Goldfields as “coming home,” especially if they grew up in smaller communities or have family roots in the region. Others are drawn by the slower pace and sense of space. One student summed it up simply: “I really like being surrounded by more nature and the culture of country patients.”
Rather than isolation, most experience the opposite: a supportive community and a relaxed environment that makes it easier to focus, learn and unwind.
Myth 3: Being away from home for so long is scary.
A longer placement can sound daunting, but students say it ends up being one of the best parts. With more time on placement, you see how rural health care really works, and how your presence can make a difference.
Outside of work, there’s plenty to do. Students often join local sporting teams, visit historical sites, explore the region or attend local festivals. The GUDRH even provides vouchers for the recreation centre and updates on what’s happening in town. By the end, most students find they’re busier, and happier, than they first expected.
Myth 4: There’s no support that far from the city.
Student support is built into the Goldfields placement experience. The GUDRH offers financial help with travel, accommodation and living costs, as well as regular wellbeing check-ins.
Students have access to campus resources like the Curtin Kalgoorlie library, Student Guild activities and other facilities and activities offered by Agricola’s student accommodation team. As well as this, the GUDRH’s Student Wellbeing Coordinator will be in touch regularly- so you’re never left to figure it out alone.
Myth 5: Kalgoorlie has a bad reputation.
While some still picture Kalgoorlie as a rough ‘Wild West’ town, students who’ve completed their placement there say that idea’s way off.
One student admitted, “I was expecting the worst, but then I had a great time.” Another said they’d heard all the horror stories before arriving, only to find Kalgoorlie felt safer than Perth.
Most students end up surprised by how welcoming the community is and how much there is to do. From a vibrant arts and culture scene (including WA’s largest public display of Indigenous Art), to a wide range of sports, cafés, markets, events, and weekend road trips – boredom isn’t on the list.
Myth 6: It won’t help my future career.
Rural placements can be a launchpad. Many students use them to ‘try out’ rural living or explore areas like emergency, paediatrics or community health. Some even return later for graduate programs.
As one student put it, “I wanted to see what it’s really like. Not just the job, but the community and the lifestyle. I’m glad I did.”
Rural placements in the Goldfields aren’t about ticking a box in your university journey. They’re about growing your skills, your confidence and your sense of what’s possible.
If you’ve been on the fence about whether you’d like to do a rural health placement, maybe it’s time to see for yourself what the Goldfields has to offer.
