Tahir Ibrahim, from Chicago, Illinois, has swapped The Windy City for the garden to take part in a two-month horticultural training course.
The 18-year-old is two weeks into his course and it seems like he is having a blooming good time.
He said: "I am loving my time here. It is the best time of my life."
Tahir fell in love with the garden after attending a presentation given by the Duchess of Northumberland and garden liaison director Ian August in Chicago last October.
Following the talk, Tahir, who wants to be a landscape architect, introduced himself and asked if he could come and work as a student.
After arranging his own sponsorship, his dream became reality.
Tahir admits that he has learnt a lot already. He said: "The experience so far has been amazing. It is the best garden that I have been to in my life."
The Duchess said: "It was obvious at the first meeting with Tahir that he was enthusiastic about the developments here at Alnwick and he was very keen to get involved.
"He has already been involved with the Roots and Shoots programme, working with school children in planting and growing vegetables and will gain experience through all the many facets of the garden during his time here.
"Tahir is the first overseas student to work in our student training programme under the direction of Trevor Jones, our head gardener, and will be the first of many to gain horticultural experience through the workings of a garden while still under development."