Brandon hails from Stony Plain, a small town in Canada where he and his family run a cattle and grain operation. The family has two boys, Brandon and his brother, who both plan to take over the farm one day. His brother studied agriculture, and Brandon chose to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, majoring in crop science at the University of Alberta.
But deep down, Brandon knew his curiosity and sense of adventure couldn’t be satisfied by lectures and textbooks alone.
Discovering the Opportunity to Work Abroad
Naturally, Brandon began looking for programs that could combine his passion for agriculture with the opportunity to explore the world. That’s when he discovered the International Rural Exchange Canada (IREC) Outbound Program, which allows Canadians to gain hands-on agricultural experience while working abroad.
After hearing about the program from a friend who had already participated and attending a presentation, Brandon was immediately intrigued. The chance to work internationally while building practical agricultural skills was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.
Choosing Australia for a Working Holiday
When it came time to choose a destination, Brandon’s heart was set on Australia. The country felt familiar in many ways; English-speaking, a strong agricultural industry, and large cattle and grain operations similar to those in Canada.
At the same time, Australia offered something completely new: vast outback landscapes, beautiful beaches, remote cattle stations, and the chance to experience agriculture on a much larger scale. For Brandon, it was a true bucket-list destination.
Working on a Cattle Station in the Outback
After graduating in April 2022, Brandon began preparing for his adventure abroad. By November, he had arrived in Australia and began his placement on a remote cattle station in the Australian outback, where he worked until early April.
The experience was very different from the cow-calf operations he was used to in Canada. Living and working in such a remote area required resourcefulness, planning, and strong organizational skills.
Coming from a smaller family farm, Brandon had to quickly adapt to the scale and challenges of working on a large cattle operation.
Learning New Agricultural Skills
One of the standout moments during Brandon’s placement was building a mobile watering station from scratch using materials available on the station. His farm manager, who was also a heavy-duty diesel mechanic taught him valuable mechanical skills and new approaches to problem-solving. The lesson was simple but powerful: when you’re working in remote areas, you often have to make the most of the resources you have.
That experience helped shift Brandon’s mindset and reinforced an important principle in agriculture: there is almost always more than one way to solve a problem.
Building Global Friendships
Beyond the agricultural experience, Brandon also built lifelong friendships with people from all over the world. The Program brought together individuals from the UK, Argentina, the Netherlands, and even fellow Aussies.
Working side by side on rural projects created strong bonds between participants. Even after returning home, Brandon still stays connected with many of these friends, who continue to offer advice, support, and a global network within agriculture.
A Life-Changing Experience Abroad
As Brandon completed his experience in Australia, he reflected on the growth and memories he had gained along the way.
From the breathtaking landscapes of the outback to the camaraderie formed with fellow trainees, the experience shaped him in ways he never expected. Stepping outside his comfort zone and embracing the unknown opened doors he never imagined.
Considering Working Abroad in Agriculture?
For anyone interested in gaining agriculturalexperience while exploring the world, Brandon’s story shows what is possible.
Programs like our A Way To Work Program allow young Canadians to work abroad, build practical skills, and connect with people from across the globe.
Pack your curiosity, step outside your comfort zone, and let the world become your classroom. You never know where your journey might lead.
Your adventure starts here…check out our different destinations at awaytowork.ca
