S'porean man, 21, goes to Iceland to clean cow poop as farmhand, learns more about life & himself

A 21-year-old Singaporean man decided to pursue a once-in-a-lifetime adventure as a farmhand in a foreign country.

This was after he chanced upon a video by another Singaporean TikToker, who shared her experience volunteering at a fruit farm abroad.

The man, Zong En, then put up his own TikTok in December 2024, documenting his time cleaning cow manure on a farm in Iceland.

@pompomyeoThis is the countryside dream that every singaporean in despair have♬ Fish In The Pool - Frozen Silence

Applied via non-profit

Zong En told Mothership that he saw that the person who embarked on a farmhand journey had applied through a non-profit network called Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF).

WWOOF is a global network that connects volunteers with organic farms to foster educational and cultural exchange, all while promoting sustainable farming practices.

For a yearly subscription fee of 32 euros (S$45), the network offers the chance to experience farm life around the world.

Picked Iceland

Inspired, Zong En visited the WWOOF website and embarked on his first-ever solo trip, choosing the Minni Akrar farm in the picturesque Varmahlid village in Iceland.

“Iceland has always been a country that I’ve always wanted to visit because of the show, ‘Vinland Saga’, and also [due to] the complete contrast to Singapore,” he explained.

With his bag packed and anticipation high, he embarked on a long journey of 11,315km to the northern hemisphere, eager to immerse himself in a new culture.

Very nice people

Even though meeting new people can be daunting, Zong En said he felt an immediate warmth from his host family, who welcomed him with open arms and kindness.

Despite the fatigue from his long journey and the stress of navigating the challenges of solo travel, he eagerly dove into his work upon arrival.

However, this hasty decision proved overwhelming, leaving him utterly drained.

Took a bit of getting used to

This exhaustion persisted throughout his first day, where he found himself adjusting to his new environment while learning to tend to the cows — feeding and cleaning, disposing of their waste, and maintaining the farmhouse.

These tasks quickly proved to be physically demanding.

“I was ready to quit on the first night, but I chose to forget everything that I know and be completely open in starting from scratch mindset-wise,” he admitted.

Motivated by a strong sense of responsibility, he reminded himself that his efforts were directly contributing to feeding another family, which kept him going through the toughest moments.

Got easier over time

During the early days of his three-week programme, his shifts lasted three to four hours, three times a day.

However, as he became more comfortable with the routine, the shifts shortened to two to three hours twice daily, though it took some time for him to adjust to the pungent smell of cow manure.

Cherished moments

This unforgettable experience left Zong En with countless cherished memories.

Footage from his video showed the natural beauty of Iceland, such as its landscape and endless terrain.

Calf named after him

But one moment stood out above all: Towards the end of his programme, his host family named a newborn calf after him.

"It was quite rare, considering my stay was much shorter than that of other visitors," he reflected with gratitude.

Growing up in a fast-paced Singapore, Zong En said he has realised that he enjoyed a simpler way of life.

One of his biggest takeaways from the trip was that he realised that being wealthy and successful is not just about money.

He explained:

“I witnessed true success there where they have a loving family and a simple life with a simple routine and a realistic outlook on life.

I guess I have been overcomplicating life.”

All photos via Zong En