[John M. Slinski]

Neither.

[John M. Slinski]

New  Zealand

[John M. Slinski]

I would do it. I set up an LLC last year and an LLC protects your personal finances. It keeps your personal income separate from your business. I did it for piece of mind. Plus it allows you to write things off during tax time. You can generate business expenses: travel, seminars, computer suppplies, travel, a portion of your dwelling that is devoted to your “office”, etc.

I don’t know the particulars of your state but I set mine up in NJ and it roughly costs around $200-300. Ususually you can set it up on-line and the website will have specific instructions about how to set up your business. Before you do the requirements for your state you’ll have to get a federal tax ID # from the IRS. You can request that on-line as well.

My LLC is now defunct and if you close your LLC you’ll have to pay for that as well.

Good luck.

[John M. Slinski]

Go to Battery Park City (near the old WTC). You’ll be right near the water (Hudson River) and there is a very lengthy promenade. There are numerous little parks. In the area is the Irish famine site and Teardop Park.

[John M. Slinski]

Jason, I think your choice is wise. You can’t go wrong with your Europe selection. I’ve travelled extensivelly throughout Europe and loved my experiences. It will certainly be closer to the States. Someday you may want to venture further outside the US even if it is just for fun. Traveling is still an education. It opens your eyes to different cultures, politics, etc.. Make sure to document your experiences thru journal writings, sketching, photography, and just talking to the local people. Shed the “ugly American” image and mix with the natives. You’ll come back enlightened. By the way I see you’re going to Rutgers; I am a Rutgers alum (a very long time ago but I am still young!).
John

[John M. Slinski]

Well, I can only give you advice on places I have travelled to. One of the places I would look into is the New Zealand/Australia area. It’s very far but it’s definitely worth it. It would require looking into what studies are available but NZ is a wonderful country with a HUGE appeciation for the natural world. A lot of the country is set aside as a World heritage area and/or national parks. In general they are into conservation. So if you share that philosophy and sustainablity there may be some good study programs. Just my 2 cents. Other than that I would look into some of the typical European countries (Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands).
John

[John M. Slinski]

I agree with you on LEED. I am a more experienced LA out of work. I don’t think my lack of certification is the reason I’m not successful at getting employment. The problem I see with LEED it that is a marketing tool to a firm. I think we as a profession have too many certifications (there was an excellent article on this in LA magazine recently). I have LA licenses in multiple states. I would suggest that the most important certification/license would be to actually become a licensed Landscape Architect. Just my opinion of course.
John

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