A BRIDGWATER College student has enjoyed a trip of a lifetime – as part of his work experience.

Russell Joyner, 19, who studies horticulture, travelled to New Zealand’s south island to work in Dunedin’s Botanical Gardens.

He spent six weeks in the summer holidays living with a host family, putting his classroom studies into practice and broadening his knowledge of the horticulture industry and working with a much wider and exotic range of plants.

He said it was an “amazing opportunity” and he is encouraging other young people to consider such a course.

He added: “It wasn’t all work though and I found time to go whale watching in Kaikoura, as well as going to see seals and albatrosses off the coast of Dunedin.

“Obviously I enjoyed visiting all the different gardens, my favourite being the Chinese Gardens in Dunedin city centre, which is breath-taking.”