The number of family doctors in rural areas of Germany is on the wane. To remedy the situation, Halle-Wittenberg University has launched a new programme for medical students. What is unique about the programme is that medical students are assigned a mentor at the beginning of their studies who is a general practitioner in a rural region. The students learn from their mentors and gather work experience in the latter’s office. As a result, they become acquainted with everyday medical work at an early stage and benefit from the experience of the older doctor. The goal is to prepare and motivate more young people to become country doctors, a profession that has lost its appeal in recent years.