As I sit here this morning wondering how to go about writing my first blog, I am also eagerly awaiting the arrival of my visa. According to the online tracker it should arrive today - when exactly, I don't know; however, I wish it would come soon as I have a feeling that it might make things seem a little more "real".

Ever since receiving that phonecall from the Saltire Foundation in early May I have struggled to fully grasp the reality of the jouney on which I am about to embark. Of course I've experienced, and still am expericing, the full spectrum of feelings and emotions from unbelievable excitation to complete and utter nervousness; however, the unbelievable journey looming just over the horizon seems more akin to an intangible dream, never to materialise, than something about to begin in only 15 days!

I suppose now would be as good a time as any to introduce myself. I'm Graeme Sharpe, although since going to university I seem to have adopted the name 'Sharpie'. It's not that I mind being called this, although it is can be quite annoying when your friends introduce you to their family and friends as this and no-one seems to really know your 'real' name. However, moving swiftly on...... I've just completed my third year of an Accounting and Finance degree at Glasgow University. Exam results finally arrived last week and all went well. Although, sitting her it's hard to believe that five weeks have already passed since I was finishing my last exam and eagerly awaiting the start of summer (and counting down to my internship in New York!) - where has all the time gone to?

My internship is with Morgan Stanley and I'll be working for 8 weeks in their operations department. My contract says that I'll be based in their office in the 'Avenue of the Americas', and from what I've heard this seems to be skyscrapper city. Having grown up in a small town south-west of Glasgow (one recently made famous by a certain BBC so-called "mini-documentary" series) I'm sure that working there is going to be a daunting experience, and one taking some getting used to.

This last week has been a busy one. Inbetween trying to move my things back home from my flat in Glasgow I've been down to London for my visa interview, sat (and might I add passed) my driving test and met up last night with fellow new-yorkers interning this year and previously. It was good to meet up with them and get some advice from Leanne's experience there, however, hearing how prepared Claire (who's flying out with me in a few weeks) is has made me feel quite nervous. I've still got so much to do, get and find out.

So, with this is mind I'll finish this blog here by congratulating all my fellow Saltire interns on getting here and pass on some advice given to me by some previous interns: enjoy the your summer, work hard and make sure that make the most of every opportunity you have whilst you are on your internship. Embrace everything that the host company and country has to offer - I know I will!

I look forward to reading everyone's blogs in the future and sharing our adventures when we return home,

Graeme