How d'you do? My name's Rachel Lippett and I'm currently enjoying the panic of preparing for 8 weeks with DHL Supply Chain in Tokyo, where I'll be working as a 'Best Practice and Value Proposition Analysis' intern. Having just finished my third year of Management with Marketing at Heriot-Watt, I thought I was in for a short break from studying. Alas, I have lots to learn with the barrier of a whole new language and more cultural complexities than you'd think possible to scale. Despite these obstacles, I'm extremely excited to be jetting off in no less than 9 days time with my fellow Tokyo-bound interns, Andy, Craig and Zvezdelina.

In the middle of our second week I shall be turning twenty-one years old, and as a result of missing out on such an auspicious occasion, my friends and family have already begun plying me with gifts, the first of which was a small envelope containing 4,000 yen. I was staggered. In any kind of currency, surely 4,000 must  be heaps? Whilst the gift was kindly appreciated, I was somewhat deflated to realise that 4,000 yen is the equivalent of about £30. It seems that I really do have alot to learn.

That being said, I suppose that's what this whole experience is going to be about, one great big learning curve from start to finish - and I can't wait. After two months of attempting to acclimatise to Japanese customs, I'm expecting a heck of a culture shock on our return to Scotland.

I look forward to catching up with everyone in the near future, and wish the very best of luck to you all.