Wow! Four years went by faster than I thought it would. Summa cum laude, hooray! I couldn\u2019t have done it without the mentors I met through the UGA community. I am thankful for the friendships, opportunities, and financial support I’ve found within the Department of Horticulture and CAES. I intend to pay forward that generosity in time, as best I can.<\/p>\n
I majored in Horticulture (with a Certificate in Organic Agriculture) because I wanted to explore the science, business, politics, and hands-on aspects of sustainable agricultural systems \u2013 not just fundamental foods and fibers, but further favoring finer fare like fresh fruits, foliage, and flowers. All those hours I put in \u2013 with Real Food UGA, the UGA Horticulture Club, the UGA Trial Gardens, the UGA-Griffin Experiment Station, my CAES-funded undergraduate research project, and my internship at Metrolina Greenhouses \u2013 have given me the practical context for the lessons I learned in class. They allowed me to explore my strengths and weaknesses. When I started college, I had no idea where my life was headed. Now, I am more confident in my ability to cultivate a better life for my neighbor and for myself.<\/p>\n
From June through December (the rainy season!), I will be the Sustainable Agriculture intern at UGA’s satellite campus in rural San Luis, Costa Rica. In exchange for free room and board, I’ll be producing food for the cafeteria, conducting research, and guiding visitors around the farm. I look forward to meeting farm manager Marl\u00f3n, experiencing tico (Costa Rican) society, milking cows for the first time, becoming a fluent Spanish speaker, and nerding out over the flora and fauna of Monteverde with the other interns.<\/p>\n
This will be my first trip out of the U.S. and my first time flying alone. While nervous, I am looking forward to the adventure. The UGA en Costa Rica staff have been helpful, and I’m already reading up on the region.<\/p>\n