Hello blog!

My time in Chicago has been brilliant.  Ten weeks, three states and five tonnes of ice cream later it's time to go home.  I leave with five new pairs of shoes, two American flags and a changed personal and professional outlook.  Working with the Illinois St. Andrew Society has been challenging, inspiring, and stimulating.  My time at the Society has been characterised by tartan, haggis and whiskey but most of all it has been coloured by the people who make the operation of a not for profit possible.  The generosity and genuine warmth of the Illinois Scottish-American community is amazing and I feel very lucky that this kindness has been extended to me during my stay in Chicago.

Thank you to the many board members who showed me such hospitality, and taught me a great deal, particularly Jim and Isobel, thank you!  Thank you to the Saltire Foundation for making this incredible opportunity possible.  Thank you to friends who helped me find my feet in Chicago, and made sure I had a good time finding them.  Lastly, thank you to Gus, Kristen and Tom (aka the A Team) for putting up with me for eight weeks. Thank you for teaching me so much, laughing with (or at) me so often and making this a summer I will never forget.

It makes me sad that this adventure is ending but as the final year of university dawns, thanks to the Saltire Foundation and everyone in Chicago, I feel more prepared and excited about the adventure just beginning...