But students from a number of Bathurst schools realised they could do just that and more after taking part in Western Sydney University’s (WSU) “Field of Dreams” program hosted at the university’s Lithgow campus.

“Field of Dreams” is a program hosted by WSU in conjunction with the Elevation Foundation, an Aboriginal owned organisation that aims to get youth to become bigger parts of their community through lifestyle and cultural programs.

In the past students from across the central west and greater western Sydney have been given the chance to take part in workshops and classes across a number of WSU campuses through “Field of Dreams”.

During the day students took part in workshops on programming robots to obey commands and also a practical lesson in physiotherapy.

Students also sat in on a panel discussion given by ambassadors who had taken part in the program and found success.

For many students taking part it was a way to step out of their comfort zone and try something different.

Senior Project Officer at WSU Jarred Hodges said the program is about supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students’ aspirations for higher education.

“It’s really about breaking down some of those barriers and demystifying what it means to attend university” he said.

The program has run for two years and seen great success already.

“We’ve had 70% of our Year 12 students in the program transition from high school to university,” said Mr Hodges.

For many Indigenous students Mr Hodges said a big issue is being the first in the family to attend university.

“A lot of them find it really difficult to be something when they can’t see it,” he said.

Mr Hodges encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to test themselves.

“For some of the students what we’re challenging them to do is to break the mould.”