Agricultural Work Experience
Educational experience
Our placements are on working farms offering a wide variety of experience. Our host farmers are visited in advance and the goals of the programme are gone through in detail. If we feel that a host farmer does not commit in full to our aims then we place students elsewhere. Our host farmers know that the students are coming to Ireland to learn and improve their practical skills.
Each farm is different but all students will learn about the day-to-day running of that farm.They will start early in the morning with the farmer and assist him in all duties from cleaning out animal houses to completing the huge amount of paperwork that a modern farmer must keep in order. Our students will be a part of the ongoing cycle of life from calving the cows to delivering the fattened animal to the slaughterhouse. They will be part of the highs and lows of farming life and they will be immersed in the life of an Irish agricultural business.
Each student has an opportunity to choose in which type of agricultural business they would like to be placed. We will endeavour to place an applicant on his choice of farm but we cannot guarantee it. Our goal is to provide a work experience that will help the student to become the farmer he wants to be.
On dairy farms our students will learn about the milking process and about the care of cows, yields, mastitis etc.
On cattle farms applicants will learn about the fattening process, feeding and conformation of a good beef animal. They will have an opportunity to visit cattle markets and learn about the difference between a good fattening animal and a not so good one.
If a student chooses to specialise in horses, they will learn all about the care of a competition horse. They will be involved in the day-to day activity of a busy yard and will have an opportunity to visit competitions and learn about the care of a horse on such a day.
If capable they will have an opportunity to ride but only if they are confident riders and their host feels that it is safe.
On arrival in Ireland, our students receive a welcome pack with comprehensive information about Ireland and our agricultural industry. In this pack we give a complete overview of the state of agriculture in Ireland and we also go into depth about each individual sector. Many of our students are required to do a report on farming in Ireland and our host farmers are requested to assist the students with the compilation of this. Students are informed about our agricultural education authority, Teagasc and are encouraged to contact them for any further information that they need.
We want our students go home with a comprehensive understanding of Irish farming and our agricultural way of life. We also expect that our host farmers will have learnt from the students both agriculturally and culturally.
Contact us to find out more about the Educational experience of agricultural work experience
Personal Development
To travel to a new country, with a new language and a different way of life is a huge accomplishment for any young student. Ireland is a very family-oriented country, with a strong ethos of the nuclear family and roles within it. Our families are carefully selected for their knowledge and understanding of young people and for their strong moral standards, while at the same time allowing for differing opinions and lifestyles.
Most of our families have teenagers of their own and therefore understand the modern adolescent and the trials and tribulations that emerging adults can go through.
We are here to make the experience as positive and enjoyable as possible. We support and monitor our students closely while allowing them a certain amount of freedom to explore and grow, but we are here for them in the event of any problems or difficulties that might arise. We offer everything from a shoulder to lean on to a listening ear. As students will only speak English during their time here, their language skills will improve greatly.We aim that a participant on our programme will return home having experienced our culture and heritage, with a wider knowledge of Irish farming methods and a more rounded and mature outlook on life. We want our students to go home with great memories of Ireland and a fondness of all things Irish.
Our goal is for students to be so happy here that they come back time and time again.
Contact us to find out more about personal development and agricultural work experience
Culture and History
Ireland is rich in culture and steeped in history. Since time immemorial we have been known as the land of “Saints and Scholars” and are renowned for our rich heritage of art, literature and music. Irish music and dancing such as “Riverdance” has brought Ireland to the wider stage and we steer our students toward visiting places of music and join in the merriment and dancing.
In most small towns there is at least one or two music events every week and most Irish homes are alive with the sound of music. We have a wealth of art galleries, theatres and cultural events and students are actively encouraged to take every opportunity to develop their interest in the arts and allow our culture to engulf them.Our country is full of houses, castles, abbeys and churches of huge historical interest. Every small town has at least one local museum and a plethora of round towers and ruined castles. Our host families are delighted not only to tell you about their farm and its past but also the local and county history.
We urge our students to visit and absorb the wealth of history that Ireland has to offer. Irish people are proud of their heritage and we are friendly and talkative people and as such are delighted to explore other people's history and heritage and explain about our own.
In their welcome packs, all students receive a list of interesting places to visit throughout Ireland and in particular historical and cultural places to see in their placement area. Host families are actively encouraged to assist their students in going to see these sights and to discuss the history of the local area.
