After a soul-shaping trip to Cambodia in 2017, India Russell decided she wanted to dedicate her life to helping others through medicine.

This year India, 17, who graduated high school with an OP3, starts down that path after she accepted an offer to study a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at USC’s main campus on the Sunshine Coast.

“I want to become a doctor, so I think Biomedical Science will be a good pathway to get into medicine,” India said.

“I’m thinking about specialising in emergency medicine, then using that to help people overseas in areas that really need it.”

The Bribie Island State High School graduate made the decision to pursue medicine after a school trip to Cambodia opened her eyes to challenges faced in developing countries.

“One of the locals who we were helping over there injured his hand, which became worse because there was a lack of medicine,” India said.

“Luckily one of the parents with us on the trip was a nurse, so she was able to help him look after it. Watching her help him really impressed me. It was quite amazing.”

“That trip really showed me what I wanted to do with my life. It was definitely life changing.”

India, who is the first on her father’s side of the family to attend university, said her parents were excited when she told them about her offer to study at USC.

“When I told Dad, he was so stoked,” India said. “Mum went to university herself, so she is really proud as well.”

Applications to study at USC are still open.

- Tom Snowdon