And fellow recipient Kyle Green was ecstatic to know his diet would improve from “two-minute noodles” thanks to the financial support.

The University of NSW first year medical students received their Albury Council scholarships from mayor Kevin Mack yesterday.

The young men, both from Albury, began their first placement last week at Saint George Hospital in Sydney, where they are living as they undertake their studies.

Mr Green said the experience had so far been eye-opening.

“It’s a pretty big hospital; they were taking us around and we’ll also have patient contact,” he said.

“I’ve known I wanted to study medicine since year nine.”

Mr Kapoor said he was looking forward to his return to Albury in his third year of study to undertake placement with the UNSW Rural Clinical School.

“It’s been a bit overwhelming being in Sydney, especially coming from a rural town – it’s very different,” he said.

“It will be a great way to come back here and give back to the community, especially since UNSW looks after rural students so well.”

Mr Kapoor, as did Mr Green, said he wanted to work in Albury when he finished his studies – but didn’t quite know what area of medicine he was interested in just yet.

“(Working rurally) is an easy choice,” he said.

“You get to know your patients more one-on-one and I feel you would be able to make more a difference.”

The scholarship was established through the Rural Clinical School of Medicine in 2007 to assist first year medical students.

To date, Albury Council has awarded $94,000 to local students pursuing careers in medicine.

Cr Mack said the pair were “on their way to rewarding careers”.

“Council is proud to be able to assist them,” he said.

“The scholarships are offered to help students and their families, whether it's assisting with the costs associated with relocating to Sydney or the expenses of studying full-time.

“Regional communities need the skills and expertise of qualified doctors and down the track I hope Dhruv and Kyle will return to practice medicine in Albury.”