I've found my forever home in Far West NSW

I’ve found my forever home in Far West NSW

Meet Alex, Pharmacy Alumni, who switched the Romanian Carpathians for the vast burnt deserts of Broken Hill, NSW.

Alex had lived in Sydney for 24 years, but it was when she started her pharmacy degree that she knew she wanted a tree change. She didn’t know where her new home would be, or where this degree could take her – but she knew that if an opportunity like a rural placement came up, she would take it.

One week in Broken Hill on placement and Alex knew she had found her new home.

Originally from Romania, Alex spent her teenage years in a small town similar in size to Broken Hill. After years of living in Sydney, she realised she missed something that big cities often struggle to offer – a genuine sense of community.

“When I had the chance to choose where to do my placement, I thought, let’s experiment and see what it’s actually like,” Alex said.

Broken Hill was never part of the original plan. Alex imagined herself maybe settling somewhere within a few hours of Sydney, not more than 1,000 kilometres away in far west NSW. But after arriving for placement, it didn’t take long for the town to make an impression.

“I was not thinking I would be moving somewhere this remote, but one week after coming here, I was like, ‘I like it, I want to stay.’”

For Alex, the biggest drawcard was the opportunity that came with rural healthcare. Working in a major city pharmacy often meant being confined to dispensing medication, but in Broken Hill she discovered a career that was far broader, more hands-on and deeply rewarding.

“Here you do all of that, but you also do vaccinations, HMRs, Aboriginal health work and community care. You get to expand into so many different areas as a pharmacist,” she said.

During placement, Alex worked alongside experienced pharmacists who encouraged independence while still providing strong support and mentorship. It gave her the confidence to grow professionally while discovering the kind of pharmacist she wanted to become.

“I found people here were a lot more supportive and encouraging. Even as a student, they gave you autonomy but still made sure someone was looking out for you.”

It wasn’t just the workplace that stood out. Living in student accommodation alongside other health students created a social and supportive environment that made moving away from home less daunting.

“We would hang out after work, have barbecues and talk about our different professions. It was social, but also educational at the same time.”

Alex said the placement experience challenged many of the assumptions she had about rural living. Instead of isolation, she found connection. Instead of limited opportunities, she found endless possibilities.

“You really do feel the community spirit here. People help each other and you don’t get that in a big city.”

Now completing her internship in Broken Hill, Alex plans to stay long-term and is already looking at buying a house in town. She hopes to continue expanding her skills in diabetes care, aged care and medication reviews, while remaining connected to the community she quickly grew to love.

She says the slower pace and work-life balance have also been a welcome change from Sydney life.

“It’s relaxing not fighting traffic every day. You can go to the shops and be in and out in five minutes. You still have everything you need, but life feels easier.”

For students hesitant about taking on a rural placement, Alex’s advice is simple: give it a go.

“You’re not making a lifetime commitment – it’s only a few weeks. But you might discover opportunities you never expected and you might find the place you truly belong.”