Apologies for the lack of blogging last week. So this one will be covering 2 weeks....I have the feeling it's going to be a long one...Week 5 started with me attending the team meeting at 8.30 on Monday morning. This happens every week and is an opportunity for everyone in the department to share what's been going on, plans for the coming week and any news. I give my own update of the progress I'm making with my work and am usually given some idea of what my assignments will be for the rest of the week. The last 2 weeks have seen the project I have been working on draw to a close and so I have been really busy - but I love it!!Immediately after the team meeting on Monday morning I received an email from my Project Supervisor asking me to meet with the team and explain what I had been working on...asap! And just like that I collected up what I needed and made my way upstairs to present my work. 6 weeks ago this would have been a daunting task, whereas now, and I don't know exactly what changed or when, but I find myself at ease with this kind of situation. I reallly feel like I am getting used to this kind of environment and the more I settle in the more I enjoy it.
There have also been lots of opportunities for me to observe whats going on in the department and I have been able to sit in on a lot of meetings and telephone conferences. It has been great to see how the team interacts and I have learned a lot from them. I've also learned so much in Excel! Before I got here I thought I was not bad, but now I can do things I didn't even know existed. I'm also using a variety of other programs and I think I'm getting the hang of them, even though 6 weeks ago I didn't know what SAP or Business Warehouse were! It's been a steep learning curve but it's a good feeling now that it's all coming together!
I've also continued to meet with as many people from as many different departments in Syngenta as possible. I have met with a lot of people who are doing Syngenta's 3-year Finance graduate program and I've enjoyed asking them lots of questions over lunch! Everyone I have met has been extrememly helpful, giving me lots of advice and telling me about their experiences and I really feel like I'm getting more of an idea of what kind of career I would like to pursue.
Basel really is a lovely city and there is always so much going on! Last weekend I was in the city on Friday night and there just happened to be a huge Jazz Festival on in the streets of Basel! I love living in such an exciting place and it's hard to believe that if I hadn't been here for this internship I'd probably never have been to Basel at all! Although I still do feel like a tourist - especially with my camera out all the time! Recently, I've been to the top of the Munster towers for an incredible view of the city (the way up was a little scary but I made it!); I've crossed the Rhine in one of Basel's Ferry Boats - which are attached to a wire so that the strong current of the river doesn't carry them away; I've walked to Germany (it is only 10 mins from where I stay though!); I've visited Dreiländereck (three countries corner) which is the meeting point of France, Germany and Switzerland, I've been to an outdoor cinema at Munsterplatz and I had a fun day relaxing on Sunday at an outdoor swimming pool. There is always so much to do here and I'm starting to make my plans for next weekend already - I can't believe it's the last one!
As the 4th September gets closer, I'm more determined than ever to make the most of the rest of my internship and all I can experience while I'm in Basel. It won't be long till we're home!!
Have a good week!
Rhona