Rebekka’s family fell into hard times when she began her Honours studies that demanded all her time and energy. But thankfully, critical financial support gave her a lifeline.
It’s just as well, because through her studies and career, Rebekka hopes to create a better health system for families like her own so they can have equal opportunity to flourish in Australia.
Rebekka’s parents migrated from the Soviet Union in the 90s before starting their family.
“They didn't have the upper hand coming to a completely foreign country with a completely different culture,” explained Rebekka.
While her parents were university-educated in the Soviet Union, Rebekka said their credentials weren’t recognised the same way in Australia.
“We relied a lot on the public health system,” said Rebekka, sharing that the experience showed her just how much a family’s financial situation can impact their health over time.
“It's an interest of mine – how your socioeconomic status interplays with your interaction with the healthcare system and potentially with your health,” she said.
“That is what's drawn me to studying medicine, questioning how we can make that system better.”
While Rebekka has dreams of completing a medicine degree in the future, she has already contributed to the medical field through her studies at the University of Melbourne.
Rebekka first completed a Bachelor of Science in 2022, majoring in Physiology, then spent 2023 completing her Honours project focused on structural biology at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI).
“I'm working on a cancer protein which has been studied for quite some time, but I'm working on it from a structural lens – understanding the design of different molecules and proteins,” she explained.
Rebekka feels encouraged that she was accepted to complete her Honours project at WEHI – one of the top medical research institutions in the country.
“I've been told that they don't just accept students for nothing – you have to show that you are well equipped and driven enough.”
Persevering through hardship
It’s an impressive accomplishment for any 22-year-old, and especially when considering Rebekka’s circumstances over the past couple of years.
Her family has faced financial difficulties in recent times, with her grandmother’s health problems limiting her ability to work, and her father needing to take on a caring role.
“My dad has taken on full-time care of his mum who has dementia, so I've had to pick up extra errands,” she said.
Rebekka took on the responsibility of shopping for herself and her mother, including groceries for the household and medicine.
As her duties continued to grow, Rebekka knew she would need to find another source of income to manage it all.
“In the past couple of years, I’ve started realising that I have to pick up some extra work outside of my uni schedule,” shared Rebekka.
The pressure continued to mount with each new situation that arose, and each time, she would have to reconsider how to fit all her responsibilities into her schedule.
“Especially in my Honours year, I found that I pushed myself to the limit, and I would just be severely, physically and mentally exhausted.”
“That year was the time that I had to seek out help.”
Timely relief
It was at this time that Rebekka became aware of the donor-funded Student Support Fund through a University newsletter for science students.
The Student Support Fund offers immediate assistance to students who need help with essential items such as food, transport, housing, medical or academic costs, and was a lifeline for Rebekka in a difficult year.
She is grateful that the application process was fast and easy, as she didn’t have the capacity to complete an arduous application process.
“I just filled out a few questions and it was quite quick, maybe half an hour,” said Rebekka.
Thanks to the help of the University’s generous donor community, Rebekka received support to help her pay for some necessary supplies, both for her family and her own studies.
“It’s helped with academic supplies, like books and travel costs, certain bills that I have to pay around the house, and medicines and food for my grandmother.”
Rebekka is immensely grateful that the support has also helped with unexpected costs such as car repairs.
Alongside the help of the Student Support Fund, Rebekka is relieved to have found a way to generate income that is also a positive force in her life.
Having grown up learning piano, Rebekka realised she could share her talents with those who wanted to learn.
“I started teaching recently. I can show up to my client's house, spend half an hour there and get some pretty decent money,” she said.
“I actually find that I really enjoy it; I didn't realise it would be so rewarding.”
Supporting healthier communities
As for Rebekka’s long-term goals, the support she has received has enabled her to see just how much of an impact she could have on the communities she cares about – including her Jewish community that she is so connected to.
“I was originally thinking of becoming an obstetrician-gynaecologist,” said Rebekka.
“I would like to take those skills and potentially apply them in the religious community, spreading awareness about women’s health,” she said.
But recently, Rebekka has reflected on her passion for improving health outcomes for low socioeconomic communities.
“I was thinking recently that it would also be nice becoming a general practitioner,” she said, “going back to public health and thinking about how access to it can improve.”
No matter what’s next, Rebekka knows that the support of University donors has helped open doors for her future and can do the same for so many other students.
“There is a lot of potential in many students that have fallen on hard times or are in difficult circumstances,” said Rebekka.
“And just a little bit of support can help them make it to more classes, take on a heavier study load, get their foot into different doors and network better to help secure a good career for themselves.”
It’s Rebekka’s belief that if these students receive the same support that she has, they will go on to make a real difference.