Heywire is a lived experience storytelling competition for young people living in regional, rural and remote Australia. For over 20 years, Heywire has been celebrating the bravery and honesty it takes to share your story – your way.

What might seem everyday to you could be epic to someone else, whether that’s sharing what life’s like where you live, what you care about or what frustrates you.

Stories can be in any format: text, video or audio – whatever suits you best! All that matters is that it’s a true story about some aspect of your life in regional Australia.

Why should I enter?

Heywire isn’t a spelling or grammar competition – they’re looking for real, powerful stories from young people. Winners get the chance to: 

• Work with ABC producers to share their story nationally 
• Have their story featured across the ABC – on TV, radio, online and social media 
• Win an all-expenses-paid trip to the Heywire Summit in Canberra

How to enter

Entries for the 2027 competition are now open. Submit your story by Monday 1 September on the ABC Heywire website. Looking for some inspiration? You can also check out the incredible stories of previous Heywire winners.

The post Regional students, tell your story with ABC Heywire appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

The Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science student made the leap back into study after a long career in finance.

“After more than 24-years, I decided to pursue something I’s always been passionate about: sport. Following a redundancy last year, I took the opportunity to make a career change and begin a new chapter.”

At 52, Stuart is embracing the challenge of starting over — inspiring others to do the same.

“Friends and family often say that what stands out most is my willingness to chase a dream at this stage of life.”

Adjusting to university life wasn’t without hurdles, however.

“Balancing a demanding study load with work and life responsibilities took much of my first semester to adjust to. Over time, though, I’ve built a routine and settled into student life. Even though I’m much older than most of my classmates, we all share a common passion and purpose, which has made it easy to connect. Building friendships may not earn you a degree, but it certainly makes the experience richer.”

It helps when you can embrace your new future with such enthusiasm, like Stuart.

“After completing my degree, I hope to move to Europe and work on the DP World Tour. I feel I still have plenty of working life ahead of me and am excited by the prospect of building a meaningful second career.”

His advice for anyone facing a career crossroads that’s considering future study:

“My advice is simple: just go for it. There’s so little to lose and so much to gain.

It can feel daunting at first, but the real question is: what’s the best that could happen? Life is far too short not to take opportunities when they arise. You never know where it might lead.”

The post Chasing a new dream career at 54 appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

At this point, campus life feels familiar to me. 

Which made me wonder: Does university feel like this everywhere else too? 

So instead of doing my actual work for the day, I messaged friends studying in different countries and asked them a simple question: “How would you describe uni life in three words?” 

What came back was surprisingly thoughtful. 

Somewhere between the replies, I realised we’re all technically “doing university”, but what that experience looks and feels like can change completely depending on where you are in the world. 
 

Kenya- Community, Energy, Adaptability 

Key finding: Campus life feels experience-driven 

Tiffany’s response came in fast: 

“Fun, adventurous… and honestly, every day feels different.” 

That last part stayed with me — every day feels different. 

What came through from her, and from other Kenyan responses, was a university experience that feels deeply social and community driven. People show up for each other. Friendships are not just a side effect of uni life — they are a big part of the experience itself. 

There is also a strong sense of independence that builds naturally. You figure things out. You adapt. You grow through the unpredictability as much as the academics. 

Honestly? That energy felt familiar. 

Just on a different campus. 

South Korea- Structured, Focused, Motivated 

Key finding: Academic culture shapes the pace of campus life 
 

My friend described Korean uni life as highly driven and academically focused. 

There’s a strong culture around discipline and study routines, where students are constantly encouraging each other to work hard and stay motivated. 

One thing she noticed after coming to La Trobe, though, was the different pace of campus culture here. 

At La Trobe, students still work hard – but there’s also visible space for clubs, events, hobbies, and community activities alongside academics. 

Not better or worse. Just a different balance. 

Hong Kong- Quiet Classrooms, Strong Communities 

Key finding: Participation looks different everywhere 

Joanna noticed one difference almost immediately after studying here. 

At La Trobe, students are often open during tutorials and discussions. Conversations happen naturally, and participation feels encouraged. 

Back home, classrooms can be quieter and more structured, with students expressing themselves more through coursework and assessments rather than open discussion. 

But the biggest contrast for her was not just academic. 

It was the campus community. 

The events, clubs, and social activities here made university feel connected in a way she had not experienced before. 

It was a reminder that participation does not look the same everywhere — sometimes it is loud and conversational, and sometimes it is quieter but still meaningful. 

India- Ambition, Expectations, Determination 

Key finding: Expectations often shape the student experience 

From Utkarsh, the word that came through most strongly was ambition. 

There is a significant focus on academics, performance, attendance, and future goals. Students often balance high expectations while working towards long-term career opportunities. 

At the same time, conversations around wellbeing, extracurricular involvement, and campus life are continuing to evolve across many institutions. 

It reminded me that access to support systems, social opportunities, and community experiences can vary greatly depending on where students study. 

For many students, university is not just about learning. It is also about expectation, pressure, growth, and trying to build a future that feels worth all the effort. 
 

Australia – Supportive, diverse, dynamic 

Key finding: Community is built into campus life 

When I asked students at La Trobe the same question, the words that kept coming up were: 

Community. Flexibility. Opportunities. Exposure. 

And honestly, that feels accurate. 

Because somewhere between random campus events, awkward introductions, free food, volunteering, late-night conversations, and meeting people from countries I had never visited before, uni became more than just lectures and assignments. 

It became people. 

It became the friend who saves you a seat. 
The person you meet once at an event and somehow keep running into. 
The staff member who remembers your name. 
The group chat that starts for an assignment and accidentally becomes emotional support. 

And maybe that is what I realised most through these conversations. 

No matter where we study, everyone is trying to build something for themselves — friendships, confidence, opportunities, memories, and a version of life that feels a little more their own. 

The environments may look different. 

The classrooms may sound different. 

The expectations may feel different. 

But the experience of figuring life out along the way? 

That feels surprisingly universal. 

Final Thought 

These conversations reminded me that university is never just one experience. 

It changes depending on where you study, the people around you, the culture you grow up in, and the expectations you carry with you. But across countries, campuses and classrooms, students are often searching for similar things: belonging, growth, confidence, opportunities, memories, and a version of life that feels a little more their own. 

And if La Trobe has taught me anything, it is that the best part of uni life is not just where you study. 

It is who you become while you are there. 

The post Uni life but make it global appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

When people think about studying Media and Communications, they usually imagine cameras, microphones, writing, interviews and maybe a little bit of editing. 

And yes, there is definitely all of that. 

But what I didn’t expect was how many different pieces make up the experience: the late-night edits, the class jokes, the studio chaos, the feedback sessions, the new friendships and the moments where you realise you’re slowly learning how the media world actually works. 

So far, my Bachelor of Media and Communications has felt less like one single subject area and more like a collection of little elements that all come together. 

Media and Communications is more than cameras, scripts and edits. 

It is the people you learn with, the projects you build, the feedback you receive, and the confidence you slowly gain along the way. 

It is creative, chaotic, practical and funny- sometimes all in the same class. 

And honestly, that’s what makes it so memorable. 

Infographic summary (accessible text version)

The Edit 

• Editing takes way more time than people expect

• Scripting, reshooting, fixing audio and choosing clips can be a lot

• But finishing an edit feels so satisfying

• Feedback from classmates makes the process easier when you’ve been staring at the same project for too long 

The Family 

• A good media family makes the degree so much better.  

• Class feels less stressful when you have people to laugh, create and learn with 

• The people around you turn long classes and group projects into actual memories

Class Antics 

• Classes are full of unexpected side quests

• From messing around with microphones and headsets in the studio, to filming vox pops in the Agora, there’s always something happening  

• Somehow, we’re learning and laughing at the same time

Industry Experience 

• The degree gives us hands-on opportunities to build real media skills 

• In first year, Intro to Media gives us a taste of working in a newsroom-style environment

• Later opportunities, like Upstart, help connect what we learn in class to the media industry

Majors 

• The Bachelor of Media and Communications has four majors:  

• Journalism  

• Sports Media  

• Marketing  

• Creative and Professional Writing  

• These majors help us explore different career paths and figure out where we might want to go next

The post More than cameras: My media and comms experience  appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

How I went from “I’ll Just Observe” to “I’ll Host the Event”. 

If school knew me as “the quiet girl,” uni genuinely never got the memo. 

When I first imagined university life in Australia, I thought it would mostly be classes, part-time work, assignments, and the same routine every week. 

Study. Work. Repeat. 

Very practical. Very responsible. Very international student coded. 

But deep down, I wanted the full movie version of uni life. 

I wanted random friendships, campus events, late-night conversations, and the confidence to introduce myself first instead of rehearsing a sentence in my head six times before speaking. 

The problem was — I wasn’t naturally that person. 

Back in school, I was quiet, underconfident, and honestly a little too comfortable staying unnoticed. I always wanted to be involved in things, but from a safe distance. Like emotionally supporting the event without actually attending it. 

But moving to Australia unexpectedly gave me something I’d never really had before: 

A reset. 

Nobody here knew me as “the shy one,” which meant I could finally stop acting like I had to stay that way. 
 
And somehow, I actually started trying. 

Audio – First few weeks at uni 

Audio transcript: 
Hi, are you also new?  
Oh, what are you studying? Oh, I see, hmm alright. Nice, I’ll see you later, bye. 

It started with Res events. 

Which, looking back, is dangerous — because free food and “just come for a little while” are genuinely gateway experiences into campus involvement. 

One event became another. Then another. 

At some point, I stopped waiting to feel confident first and just started showing up anyway. 

I started talking to random people, joining conversations instead of pretending to check my phone, and meeting students from completely different countries and backgrounds. 

Then came the unexpected parts. 

The random friendships. 
The quiet campus crushes. 
The realisation that I suddenly had stories from campus instead of just classes. 

And somewhere in between all of that, I became… social? 

Not fully. Let’s not get carried away. 

But enough for someone to once tell me: 

“You don’t look like an introvert.” 

Honestly? That weirdly felt like a compliment. 

Not because being introverted is a bad thing, but because for the first time, it felt like people were seeing the version of me I always secretly wanted to become. 

Voice note – Two years later 

Audio Transcript: 
 
Hey, you seem new here. Oh, you’re from Kenya. So cool! I really want to go on a safari there someday. Also wait, have you tried the kebabs in the Agora yet? You definitely should. They are actually so good and there are some more good spots to eat around uni.  

At some point, “just volunteering once” turned into helping run events, speaking in front of crowds, and becoming a Senior Leader — which genuinely sounds unreal if you knew first-year me. 

And somehow, alongside that, I also became a Storyteller. 

Which basically means holding a camera, filming students, interviewing students around campus, and somehow acting confident while doing it. 

There was a time when introducing myself to one new person felt emotionally exhausting. 

Now I walk up to strangers and ask them to be in one of my reels. 

Honestly? Still slightly terrifying sometimes. 

But also really fun. 

And weirdly enough, I love it. 

The same thing happened with job interviews. 

Voice note – First interview era 

Audio Transcript: 
Hi, this is Niharika and firstly I really want to thank you for this opporunity. To let you know my strengths are I am a quick learner and I can work well with a team. 

 Voice note – Current era 

Audio Transcript: 
Hi everyone, I am Niharika and what really stands out to me about this role is the opportunity to connect with people through customer service and uni leadership roles I have realised I generally enjoy fast paced, people focused environments and I am really keen to get started on this one. 

Still nervous, obviously. Some traditions survive character development. 

And maybe that’s the strangest part of all this. 

I spent so long thinking uni accidentally changed my personality. 

But looking back now, I’m starting to think it was never really an accident. 

Maybe this version of me was always there – just waiting for a place where she felt brave enough to show up first. 

The post The personality I accidentally built at uni  appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

I often feel that Menzies, as a residential space and experience, is sometimes misunderstood through the general word of mouth. People often think they know what Menzies is like, but they miss the part that matters most: it’s a genuine community – and I really mean that. 

I moved into Menzies at the start of February like everyone else. At first, if I’m honest, I wasn’t completely sure what to expect. But after a few weeks of finding my feet and putting myself out there to meet people, I discovered what Menzies really is. 

It’s a place filled with laughter, late nights, tears, rants, hugs and shared dinners. A place where people genuinely look out for one another. Sometimes people have assumptions about Menzies before experiencing it themselves, but living here has shown me a completely different side. 

The Menzies way has completely changed my perspective on what it means to be part of a community that welcomes you as one of its own. Menzies is full of people from all over Victoria, different states, and even different countries, and somehow, we’ve created an environment that feels like home. 

The people here are some of the kindest I’ve met, and that’s something I don’t think gets talked about enough. 

This is my first time living independently, but the people around me have created such a comforting environment where we can all speak openly and support one another. That honestly feels like a milestone in itself. 

For a lot of this first semester, I’ve felt alone in different ways, but coming home after what often feels like the longest day and seeing familiar faces around Menzies really lifts a weight off my shoulders. 

You might wonder what makes Menzies different from any other college at La Trobe. Honestly, it’s a lot of small things. 

It’s waking up in the middle of the night craving chocolate and being able to grab some from the vending machine downstairs. It’s seeing your best friends (who you only met eight weeks ago) whenever you want. It’s going for walks around campus to clear your head or simply having a place where you can switch off and relax when you need it. 

Menzies has become that place for me. 

The post The Menzies Way! appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

From Bendigo to her hometown of Shepparton, Hannah Freeman has returned to begin the next chapter of her journey — commencing the Doctor of Medicine through the University of Melbourne Rural Pathway.

“I just graduated from La Trobe with a Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Medical) and have now started my first year of medical school through the University of Melbourne’s Rural Pathway based in my hometown of Shepparton. Eventually, I hope to graduate and work as either a GP or rural generalist and help people in rural areas access the healthcare they deserve.”

For Hannah, the decision to pursue medicine is closely tied to her lived experience and a desire to give back to communities like her own.

“I am the youngest of four daughters, and we lost our mum to early onset dementia in 2017 when we were aged 19, 17, 16 and 13 respectively.

My mum’s diagnosis and death inspired me to pursue a career in medicine, to help other people and their families who may endure similar experiences to what my family went through.

Dementia, in any of its forms, is a truly devastating disease. I think I was too young to fully appreciate just how much of a strain her illness put on the rest of my family, particularly my dad and my mum’s mum, my Nan, who took on full time carer roles for her, as well as continuing to raise and care for my sisters and I. It is a heartbreakingly common disease, identified as Australia’s leading cause of death.”

Hannah says that experience continues to shape both her studies and her outlook on the future of healthcare.

“Being able to study medicine in my hometown, and to be a part of this incredible program training rural doctors, is something I feel incredibly privileged to do. Being able to live at home with my Dad is such a privilege, and one that in the past, just didn’t exist, with all rural students being forced to move to Melbourne to study. I am so excited for the next four years to be out in the community on placements and for all the new experiences that will come along with this chapter.”

Alongside starting medicine, Hannah also continues to prioritise her wellbeing and balance during a demanding year of study.

“Fitness is a bit of a non-negotiable for me, particularly running and weightlifting. As much as I hate waking up early in the morning, I never regret exercising before going to classes. It is amazing for my mental health and stress management.”

This May, Hannah will be lacing up her running shoes amid a demanding start to medical school, training for the 10km Melbourne Memory Walk & Jog to support Australians impacted by dementia — and we wish her all the best as she takes on the challenge while balancing her studies, training, and new beginnings in medicine.

The post Graduate spotlight: Hannah Freeman appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

You spend years working towards your final semester – 
and then, when it finally arrives, you realise you’re not entirely ready for it. 

On paper, this is everything you’ve been waiting for. 
The last few assignments. 
The finish line. 
All the hard work finally coming together. 

But somewhere in the middle of it all, something shifts. 
It hit me in a way I didn’t expect. 
A friend I recently made was talking about the Residential Ball – how much fun it was going to be, how we should go together, how it’s one of those events you don’t want to miss.  

And all I could think was… 
I won’t be here. 
I graduate in May. 
And suddenly, it wasn’t just one event. It was everything that came with it. 

All the little moments that made uni what it is: the spontaneous plans, the campus events, the routines you don’t even realise you’ve built. 
That’s when it sinks in. 
You’re not just finishing university. 
You’re leaving a version of your life behind. 

People always say the friends you make in your first semester aren’t the ones you leave with. 
I used to think that was a bit dramatic. 
Turns out, it’s not. 
At the start, you become friends with whoever is around. You’re just trying to find your people, your space, your sense of belonging. And sometimes, those friendships fade -not because anyone did anything wrong, but because they were never meant to last. 

And then there are the ones that do. 
I had a friend who lived on my floor.  
We were inseparable – each other’s support system, seeing each other every day. 
When she graduated, we said what everyone says: 
“We won’t let distance affect our friendship.” 
But life has a way of changing things. 
Different schedules. A full-time job. Living far away. Routines that don’t align anymore. 
And just like that, someone you once saw every day becomes someone you see once in three months – if you’re lucky. 

That’s the paradox. 

You’re moving forward… but parts of your life are quietly staying behind. 
And then comes the part no one really prepares you for. 
The real world. 

For the first time, there’s no next semester to fall back on. 
It’s not about assignments anymore. It’s about rent, jobs, responsibilities: building a life from scratch. 
And for me, that thought is a little scary.  

I’ve left my home, my family, my friends — everything familiar — to move thousands of miles for a degree I truly believed in. 
So the question lingers: 
What if it doesn’t work out? 
What if I don’t get the job I’ve been working towards? 
What if everything doesn’t go the way I planned? 
Does all of this… go to waste? 

But at the same time, there’s another side to it. 
The part that makes it all worth it. 
Starting fresh. 
Moving out of student accommodation. 
Having a place of my own. 
Working full-time. 

Calling my mum and my brother over to visit and driving them around in my own car. 

Building something that’s mine. 
And hopefully, one day, working in my dream role, in the organisation I’ve always imagined myself in. 

So here I am. 
Excited. 
Nervous. 
Grateful. 
A little scared. 

All at the same time. 

Maybe that’s what the last semester really is. 

Not an ending. 
Not a beginning. 

But a strange in-between- where everything you’ve built, meets everything you’re about to become. 

And maybe the paradox isn’t something you need to solve. 
Maybe it’s just something you need to feel. 

The post The paradox of the last semester appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

Why did you choose La Trobe’s Digital Health course?

Digital Health wasn’t something I discovered in a classroom, it grew out of lived experience. I come from Nepal, where access to healthcare often depends on geography, weather, and timing. I’ve seen people walk hours to reach a health facility, only to arrive too late. I’ve also worked on telehealth programs and digital tools in rural settings and realised that technology, when used thoughtfully, can change outcomes; not by replacing care, but by extending it.

I chose Digital Health because I wanted to understand how systems really work, why good ideas fail, and what it takes to design solutions that people can use and trust.

What have been your favourite subjects in the course so far?

My favourite subject has been Digital Health design and implementation, particularly through the lens of systems thinking. It finally put into words something I have felt for a long time: that healthcare is never just about technology. It’s about people, workflows, culture, leadership, policy, and context, all interacting at once.

Systems thinking helped me see why small changes can have big ripple effects, and why digital health solutions must fit into existing systems. It deeply resonates with the work I’ve done in rural health and continues to shape how I think about design and decision-making.

What have you found most challenging in the course so far?

The most challenging part has been accepting the complexity of healthcare systems. There are no simple fixes. Ethical considerations, user resistance, limited resources, and policy constraints all matter, and they often conflict with each other. It can be overwhelming at times, but that challenge has also been grounding. It’s taught me that responsible digital health work requires patience, humility, and collaboration. Change doesn’t happen fast, but it can happen when people are willing to listen and adapt.

Please share a bit about yourself – what do you like to do in your free time?

I enjoy quiet moments spent thinking, writing, and reflecting. I like meaningful conversations and learning about peoples’ lived experiences. Music helps me slow down, and I’m drawn to work that centres dignity, care, and community. Whether in aged care, digital health, or everyday life, I value human connection and empathy above all else.

Where would you like to be in 5 years’ time?

In five years, I see myself working in digital health in a grounded way that supports health systems and provides better service to patients, especially in rural and underserved communities. I want to contribute to solutions that are practical, ethical, and designed with patient needs in mind.

More than titles or roles, I hope to remain someone who listens deeply, designs thoughtfully, and never loses sight of the human side of healthcare.

Students of the Master of Digital Health complete their studies equipped to lead meaningful change in healthcare. Combining practical insights with digital innovation, they are industry-ready to shape healthcare delivery with clinical skills, technical fluency, and strategic thinking.

Learn more about La Trobe’s Master of Digital Health course or get in touch with our team of Enrolment Advisors via (+61 3) 9917 3009 or onlinecourses@latrobe.edu.au. 

The post Master of Digital Health student spotlight: Pratima Mahata appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

What if you’re good at everything… but not the best at anything? 

Once, my tutor said to me, 
“Niharika, you’re a jack of all trades – but have you mastered any one?” 

I awkwardly laughed and moved on, not realising how much that line would stay with me. 

At the time, it felt like one of those things you hear, think about briefly, and forget. Like advice that sounds important, but not immediately relevant. 

Turns out, it became something I kept coming back to and it only got deeper over time. 

Jack of all trades, but master of none, 
Would it be better just knowing one? 
Am I good at anything I’ve ever begun, 
Or just trying everything for the fun? 

It didn’t hit all at once. Just small moments. Quiet comparisons. Watching someone be really good at something and thinking – that’s impressive… and slightly inconvenient for my self-esteem. 

Because when I looked at everything I’d tried, it all felt a bit scattered. 

I used to be into art – something I was good at, something people noticed, but never something I took further. Singing was fun, but not something I stayed with long enough. I got into basketball for a while, then slowly retired (not officially – just by not putting in the effort). 

And then there was dancing – something I’m actually good at. I perform, I enjoy it, and I keep coming back to it. Not because I have to, but because I want to. 

I’m just… not the best at it. 

Even academically, I’ve always been somewhere in the middle. Doing well, but not quite that student. 

From where I stood, it felt like I was doing a bit of everything – but not really becoming anything. 

What made it more confusing was how others saw it. 

Because from the outside, it didn’t look like that at all. 

People came to me for help. Friends opened up to me when they were struggling. Somehow, I became the “advice person” – which felt ironic, considering I’m still figuring things out myself.

And that made me pause. 

Because while I was questioning what I was good at, others seemed to think I already had something. 

Maybe that’s what being human is – you can have a bit of everything. 

Maybe I’m not great at singing, but I’m a good listener. 

Maybe I didn’t stick with basketball, but I learned how to show up when something mattered. 

Maybe I’m not the best dancer, but I enjoy it – and maybe that counts for more than I thought. 

Somewhere in between all of that, something shifted. 

It reminded me of the movie 3 Idiots – how sometimes it’s not about being the best at something, but about genuinely enjoying what you do. 

The doubt didn’t disappear completely. 

But it stopped feeling like the whole story. 

Because I started to realise that mastering something doesn’t just come from trying: it takes consistency, patience, and the willingness to stay. 

And honestly, that’s something I’m still working on. 

Maybe I just haven’t found that one thing I want to stick with long enough. 

Or maybe I’m still figuring out if I even need to. 

But for now, I think that’s okay. 

Because not everything has to turn into something you master. 

Some things can just be things you enjoy. 

Things you try, experience, and carry with you – even if they don’t show up as results. 

Jack of all trades, still mastering none, 
But I’ve stopped feeling sorry – I’m learning, and life’s fun. 

The post Jack of All, Still Figuring It Out appeared first on MyLaTrobe.