When I was quite young my mother moved myself and my family away from Vietnam post war.
We arrived in New Zealand with no possession and not knowing any English.
All the possession we had were lost overboard as we were leaving Vietnam.
We spent two years in a refugee camp before we arrived here.
The first place I visited when we arrived in Wellington was to the Botanical Garden.
Since then I've always had a love for gardening.
The reason why I wanted to share my story is because I believe it doesn't matter where
you come from or what your story is, you can decide at any stage in life to up-skill and
make a real difference in your life.
I studied a National Certificate in Horticulture with The Open Polytechnic and finished my
training in March 2013.
I was attracted to distant learning because at the time I was working as a gardener, and
I needed a course or a programme that would enable me to work at the same time and study
in my own pace and at my own time.
Distance learning was perfect.
It was so awesome to win two gold medals at this year's Ellerslie International Flower
Show.
We were awarded with the first gold medal for our garden design inspired by Mondrian.
The garden was titled 'Living Art'.
The second gold medal was awarded to us by our writing design as well.
It was amazing then when I was titled with 'Young Designer of the Year'.
When I was picked to go to Hampton Court, I couldn't believe it was happening so quick,
especially just after finishing Ellerslie in March, Hampton Court was in July.
I really wanted to design a garden that captures who we are as kiwis and who I am as a designer.
So I decided to design an outdoor shower based around how we live outside and our love for
the outdoors.
The prize money that I got from the Ellerslie International Flower Show I used that towards
my trip to Chelsea.
Now Chelsea is the world's prestigious flower show.
I was honoured to be a part of a gold winning garden.
I was part of the planting team which helped put the garden together.
We did all the soft landscaping and I took what I learned in my experience there and
I used that in my own garden at Hampton Court Palace, which is the world's largest flower
show.
My study helped me understand how important soft landscaping play in regards to designing
a garden.
It enables me to understand how plants work and how best to use plants.
I found the tutors at the Open Polytechnic great.
They always kept an open line of communication and I was always welcomed with questions.
There's been plenty of benefits for me since I've studied.
I used to be a gardener, now I run my own business and I travel the world designing
gardens and I get to work outdoors.
If you're thinking about going back to studying the one thing I can say is don’t be afraid.
The time that you spend now will enable you to follow your dreams later.