My first time ever setting foot in New England was the weekend that I arrived at the Arnold to begin my summer student internship. I immediately felt welcomed by both the Arboretum staff as well as my host family in Jamaica Plain (arranged through the Arnold). It only took a matter off minutes that very first day to realize that my internship was not going to be just an ordinary internship at an ordinary public garden. I was immersed in US horticultural history and engaged with many amazing contemporaries in botany and horticulture among the Arnold staff – persons that have been leaders and mentors for many public garden industry professionals like me.