I am in Ireland - HORT 499: Sydney Hines, Landscape Contracting

I had been on a plane before; but not to a foreign country as far as Ireland. As I'm waiting in line to check my bags all I keep thinking is, what am I getting myself into? I am just hours from flying across the Atlantic, to a country where the people are super friendly and the sites are breathtaking. I was excited to inquire about their culture and my heritage. To this day I will say, nine days was just not enough. I have gained so much from this experience and would love to travel more. My grand-mom told me, Dublin was just like any other city, she was right. Walking the streets of Dublin was like nothing else; numerous ethnicities and just the normal hustle and bustle. Now, they have a random and mostly sarcastic sense of humor, but Irish people showed me a bit in communications. I would have to say and everyone on the trip could agree that they are amazing, lovable and unpredictable. Some of the funniest, blithe people I had ever met.

When in a foreign country, or anywhere in the world, you have to be alert of your surroundings. I learned, you have to make decisions quick on your feet and the right one. There were a few places we seen that we were able to wonder for an hour or so on our own. I loved the feeling of exploring a world that was unknown. The sights and sounds of this country are simply amazing and I have never seen so many sheep in my life. I was able to travel through the whole southern part of Ireland. From Dublin to Ennis, I saw the National Botanic Gardens, Locke's distillery, Muckross Gardens and many other places. I had a few favorites and they consist of the Dingle Peninsula, The Cliffs of Moher, The National Stud and Japanese Gardens.

When people think of Ireland, they think drinking, rain, and the color green. We got lucky with four beautiful days in a row, no rain only sunshine. This trip expanded my horizon and gave me a fresh perspective on my own society and potential as an individual. Whether you decide to travel to Paris or Pretoria, Beijing or Berlin, there are countless reasons why you should. There are numerous things to experience around the world. Some of them include, seeing different natural landscapes, climates and historical landmarks that have shaped history.

I was able to understand the world in a direct, all-encompassing way by actually being there. International experience is a critical and impressive part of any resume. Overall this has helped with my own personal growth. Though I did not study abroad, I still learned valuable lessons and will keep them with me for the rest of my life. This traveling experience has made me realize I have a passion for traveling and thinking of new ways to incorporate this into the Landscape Industry. I feel more independent, self-confident, and knowledgeable of the world around me. I loved Ireland and plan on going back, as well as many other places.