However, two University of Wollongong medical students are finding their feet here in Leeton by managing to do both at the same time.

Kate Bryce and Rebecca Newton will be spending the next year in Leeton as part of a special program where they are learning on the job, seeing patients and continuing with their studies.

Ms Bryce is based at the Leeton Family Clinic, while Ms Newton is spending her time at the Murrumbidgee Medical Centre.

The students live and work in Leeton, attending these GP clinics and emergency department rotations at Leeton hospital and Griffith Base Hospital.

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They also undertake specialty placements at Griffith Base and St Vincent's Private Community Hospital Griffith in medical, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecological and in surgical/theatre.

Each Wednesday they undertake tutorials and clinical skills practicals with Dr Marion Reeves.

This initiative is not a new one and has been running the Murrumbidgee for the last 12 years.

Leeton has hosted 24 students over that time in the hope it will not only assist the students with getting some on-the-job practice, but also giving them a taste of rural medicine and why it is so important.

Almost three months into their tenure in Leeton, both students said the experience had already taught them so much.

"We were both interested in going somewhere rural and learning more about rural medicine," Ms Bryce said.

Both Ms Bryce and Ms Newton come from different backgrounds, having taken different paths before taking up their medical degree studies.

Ms Newton is a qualified radiographer after completing a degree in that field, while Ms Bryce has completed an undergraduate degree in biological science.

Ms Bryce also started an optometry degree before jumping ship to medicine.

"I think what I'm enjoying most so far is just getting to do a bit of everything," Ms Newton said. "The patients are all so nice in letting us be involved in their care."

This was a sentiment Ms Bryce agreed with, saying rural medicine certainly provided many new learning experiences.

The pair are also looking forward to getting to know the Leeton community a little better in their remaining time in the area.

They also live together in accommodation that is provided by Leeton Shire Council.

"We're really grateful for that ... it's fantastic of the council here and their involvement in this program," Ms Newton said.