From Architectural Designer to Farm Worker on a Working Holiday in Australia

Q. Please introduce yourself.
Hello, my name is Yerin Kim, and I’m 31 years old. I’m currently in Australia on a Working Holiday visa, and at the moment I’m working on a farm.

Q. What made you decide to come to Australia on a Working Holiday?
Since I was about 20, I had always vaguely dreamed of living overseas. But between university, getting a job, and working, I kept postponing it. I did travel to several countries, but at some point I thought, “If I don’t go now, I might never make it to Australia.” So I made a big decision and came.

Q. What kind of work did you do in Korea?
I worked in interior architecture design, interior design, architectural design, and BIM design for about five and a half years.
My job involved simulating buildings through 3D modeling and reviewing construction processes. I often heard that this field is more active overseas than in Korea, and I had always hoped that one day I might work in architecture-related roles abroad.

Q. Did you go straight to a farm after arriving in Australia?
Yes. I arrived around the end of November last year and went straight to a lychee farm near Burpengary, north of Brisbane.
I had only ever lived in cities, so farm work was completely new to me. The first week was honestly very tough. Working under the scorching sun and even getting stung by bees… it was a completely new experience for me. It was both interesting and challenging. Fortunately, I met good coworkers, which helped me get through it. Now I’ve adjusted quite a bit.

Q. Did you choose farm work mainly for the second-year visa?
Yes, that was a big reason. While searching for farm jobs for my second visa, most of the listings were in very remote places like Bundaberg. Then I happened to see a job posting for the area I’m in now, applied right away, and ended up here.
Farming is honestly much harder than people think. If you assume you can just “go to a farm and make money easily,” you might be in for a shock. You need proper gear, and physical stamina is extremely important.

Q. What do you like most about living in Australia?
Definitely the sense that no job is looked down upon.
No matter what kind of work you do or how old you are, it feels like no one is judging you.
On the farm, I wake up at 4:30 a.m., leave at 5, start work at 6, and finish in the afternoon while the sun is still out. The work is physically demanding, but the rhythm of life feels healthier.

Q. You mentioned traveling is also one of your goals.
Yes. I want to travel not only around Australia but also to nearby countries. I’ve already visited Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the United States, but I’d like to experience many more countries in the future.
While I’m currently working on a farm in Australia, I’ve also visited nearby places like Redcliffe and Noosa Beach, and they were absolutely beautiful.

Q. What advice would you give to people considering a Working Holiday in Australia?
First of all, don’t take it lightly. Especially farm work—it requires physical stamina, proper equipment, and mental preparation.
But even so, I would still say: you should come at least once. Even if you end up going back to Korea after just a few days, I think it’s worth experiencing the atmosphere, culture, and work style of this country at least once. It’s a completely different world from Korea.

Q. What are your future plans?
After obtaining my second-year visa, I would like to stay longer in Australia, possibly extending to a third-year visa if possible. If the opportunity arises, I would love to gain experience in architecture or BIM-related work here in Australia. I’m also open to site work and willing to take on new challenges.
If any employers reading this interview are looking for a hardworking employee, I would truly appreciate the opportunity to connect.

Q. Lastly, do you have a message for people in their 30s who are hesitant about doing a Working Holiday?
In Korea, once you reach your 30s, people often say, “It’s time to settle down.” But here, age and job titles don’t seem to matter at all.
What I want to say is this: experience is an asset, and it’s never too late to take on a challenge.
The world is much bigger than we think, and there are many more ways to live than we imagine. I hope you give it a try.

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