I embarked on my first destination, Singapore, whilst recovering from a back injury, scared of the unknown, and not knowing where home would be when I came back. However, when I found myself standing in Gardens by The Bay wondering how I, with the help of Global Footprints scholarships managed to create this surreal opportunity, I felt very fortunate and excited for what was to come.

With three days in Singapore, I observed bus stop shelters with green roofs, layered street planting, impressive vertical gardens, and of course, the tall structures of Gardens by The Bay. Public transport was incredibly efficient and reliable and is increasingly electric. This means it is becoming easier for people to reduce their emissions and opt out of private vehicle use.

The Eden Project in Cornwall, UK, was a two-week placement in the Rainforest and Mediterranean biome, outdoor gardens and crops. Here I ticked many plants off my bucket list and finally saw the Ice Cream Bean tree (Inga edulis), Bunny Tail Grass (Lagulus ovatus) and a few others in person for the first time. I also helped with pruning, watering and propagating- this was done with ongoing alterations of how I was working to manage my injury.

I foraged Three Cornered Leek (Allium Triquetrum) in my spare time and chatted to a lady about Eden’s therapeutic garden which hosts a variety of workshops regularly; a great project for those struggling with physical and mental health issues.

In England, I spent 2 weeks in the Kew Gardens arboretum by the lake. On the first day we had an adventurous, rare chance to set up flower arrangements for a Kew Candlelight Concert, and another day used a small boat to travel to an island in the lake. This hosted many Wollemi Pines which are endemic to the Blue Mountains in NSW, and it was very interesting to hear about how it can contribute to the conservation of the species.

Claude Monet’s Garden in Giverny, France, was outstanding and by far, my favourite garden and experience. I sowed seeds, staked Dahlias, deadheaded, weeded and took the wooden boat for a spin in the Nymphea pond many times.

 Each time I entered the garden, it was different because of the varied lighting and the flowers being removed and replaced. Every day I felt peaceful and inspired by the garden colours and naturalistic beauty.

In Norway I explored the natural beauty of the forests whilst hiking, enjoyed the fjords, as well as visited the several parks and gardens scattered around. I noted that many of the playgrounds used wood rather than other synthetic materials, which helps children to connect their play to nature. It was further helped by the forest surrounding it on the hiking trail.  Unfortunately many playgrounds in Brisbane are largely plastic and do not integrate nature into the design of the playground.

This will always be an experience I am grateful for and will continue to be inspired by beyond my days of travelling. I have extended my knowledge of horticulture, sustainability and how people interact with nature across a variety of countries. I can use this to positively  shape the community and have a wider, deeper impact throughout my career.