SRUC student gains hands-on sheep farming experience through international placement
An international student at SRUC has been reflecting on an unforgettable placement experience on a Welsh sheep farm after completing his second year of study in Scotland.
Abiral Shrestha, who is studying BSc (Hons) Agriculture at SRUC’s Edinburgh campus, travelled from Nepal to Scotland to pursue his passion for agriculture and broaden his understanding of farming practices around the world.
Now completing his second year, Abiral says his time at SRUC has been both rewarding and transformative.
He said: “Coming to Edinburgh was exciting but also overwhelming at first, the weather, the accents and being far from home took some getting used to but everyone at SRUC was very welcoming and supportive.”
Abiral praised the diverse and inclusive environment at the Edinburgh campus, where he has enjoyed meeting students from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. He also highlighted the practical and interactive teaching style at SRUC, which he says has helped strengthen his confidence, communication and teamwork skills.
As part of his studies, Abiral secured a placement on a sheep farm in Wales in April this year, where he was welcomed by a local farming family managing a flock of around 400 sheep.
During the placement, he gained valuable hands-on experience across many aspects of sheep farming, including animal handling, fostering lambs, managing prolapses, transporting sheep by trailer and attending a livestock auction.
The experience also gave him insight into the differences between sheep farming in the UK and Nepal.
Abiral explained: “In Nepal, sheep farming is usually carried out on a much smaller scale, often by individual families using more traditional methods. It was fascinating to see the level of technology used in the UK and how transport and farm management differ.”
Duncan Gardner, the farmer who oversaw Abiral’s placement said: “Abiral was a pleasant and hardworking individual who adapted extremely quickly to the lambing placement. He learnt new skills very fast and was confidently able to carry out tasks such as lambing ewes and correcting a prolapse within just a few days. Abiral was a great help to our family farm throughout the lambing period, always showing willingness to learn. He would be welcome back anytime.”
The placement provided Abiral with a broader international perspective on livestock farming and the opportunity to experience rural life in Wales first-hand. He has remained in contact with his Welsh host family following the placement.
The opportunity also reflects SRUC’s wider institutional strategy to build a “global tertiary powerhouse” for the natural economy by combining academic learning with practical, industry focused experience. Through international placements, collaboration with rural businesses and hands-on training, SRUC aims to equip students with the skills, confidence and global perspective needed to address major challenges facing agriculture, including food security, sustainability and climate change.
Anyone interested in studying the course can find more information on the Study at SRUC | BSc (Hons) Agriculture
Posted by SRUC on 20/05/2026
